South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 77 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION PANEL FOR MASSAGE/BODYWORK
Chapter 77 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations outlines the rules and regulations for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Panel for Massage/Bodywork, which is now officially referred to as the South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy. This chapter details the requirements for licensure, professional conduct, establishment operations, and continuing education for massage therapists and massage therapy establishments in the state.
Here's a summary of key areas addressed in Chapter 77, based on the provided search results:
1. Minimum Massage Therapy Education Curriculum (§ 77-101):
As of May 26, 2024, the minimum education requirement for massage therapy programs in South Carolina increased from 500 to 650 hours of instruction.
The curriculum must include specific hours in the following subjects:
Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology (250 hours): Including palpation techniques, related pathology, medical terminology, and cautions/contraindications (at least 40 hours in pathologies).
Massage Theory and Practice (200 hours): Covering principles, practical applications, special populations, allied modalities, and hands-on practice.
Business and Ethics (85 hours): Including professional ethics, communications, boundaries, business development, interpersonal skills, and career planning (at least 45 hours in professional ethics).
Laws (15 hours): Covering state and federal laws, HIPAA, and privacy issues (at least 5 hours in South Carolina-specific laws).
Student Clinics (100 hours): A minimum of 75 hours must be spent on actual full-body massage for the public under supervision. Students must complete at least 250 hours of coursework before participating in clinics.
2. Licensure Requirements (general):
Age: At least 18 years old.
Education: High school diploma or GED, and completion of an approved massage therapy education program meeting the 650-hour curriculum.
Examination: Successful passing of the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The National Certification Examination (NCE) was accepted for those who took it before November 1, 2014.
English Proficiency: Must be a native English speaker or demonstrate effective proficiency as prescribed by the Board (e.g., TOEFL scores).
Background Check: State and federal criminal history records checks, supported by fingerprints, are required for initial licensure, endorsement, and reinstatement.
Application Submission: Completed application form with a current photograph, required documentation (Social Security card, ID, high school diploma/GED), and applicable fees.
3. Licensure by Endorsement (§ 77-106):
Available for applicants with an active, good-standing massage therapy license in another state, provided the licensing standards are substantially equivalent to South Carolina's.
Requires passing the criminal history background check and the MBLEx (or NCE if applicable).
4. Temporary Massage Therapy License for a Professional Event (§ 77-103):
Allows out-of-state licensees to practice temporarily during professional events.
Requires a current, good-standing license from another state, a completed application submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and a copy of the out-of-state license.
5. Continuing Education (CE) (§ 77-120):
Renewal Requirement: 12 hours of continuing education are required every two years for license renewal, starting with the second renewal cycle.
Renewal Cycle: Licenses expire on June 30th of every even-numbered year.
Approved Providers: CE hours must come from courses approved by national associations, approved massage therapy schools, or Board-approved providers.
First Renewal Exemption: No CE is required for the first license renewal.
Record Keeping: Licensees must keep CE certificates for at least five years as the Board may conduct audits.
6. Massage Therapy Establishment and Sole Practitioner Establishment Operations (§ 77-141, § 77-150, § 77-151):
Establishment Licensure: Required for businesses and sole practitioners with a fixed place of business.
Display of Licenses: Establishment license and all licensed massage therapists' licenses must be conspicuously displayed.
Compliance: Establishments must comply with state and local building and fire safety codes.
Facilities: Must have adequately equipped restroom facilities and a sink with running water, soap, and sanitary towels (or hand sanitizer).
Cleanliness: Establishment and equipment must be kept clean and in good repair.
Linens: Clean linens must be used for each client, and massage table surfaces disinfected after each use. Linens must be laundered before reuse.
Oils/Lotions: Must be stored in enclosed containers and dispensed from clean containers to prevent contamination.
Record Confidentiality: Client treatment records must be maintained to safeguard confidentiality.
Infection Control: Therapists must employ appropriate Standard Universal Precautions for known infections or communicable diseases.
Residential Establishments: New rules (as of May 26, 2023) allow licensed establishments to be operated in a massage therapist's home residence, provided services are in a non-sleeping area with client privacy.
7. Scope of Practice:
"Massage therapy" is defined as the application of structured touch to the soft tissues of the human body with the hand, foot, knee, arm, or elbow, with or without the aid of hydrotherapy, thermal therapy, massage therapy devices, or herbal preparations.
Massage therapists are expected to consult with clients about health histories, make appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals when issues are outside their scope, and focus on wellness, stress reduction, and overall well-being. They do not diagnose or treat medical conditions.
For the most accurate and current information, it is always best to refer to the official South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 77, accessible through the South Carolina Legislature's website or legal information institutes like Cornell Law School's LII. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) website for the Board of Massage Therapy is also a primary source for official forms, updates, and contact information.
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