Students/Student License

PURPOSE: This rule outlines the requirements to obtain a student license. (1) Upon completion of the required course of study, the school or the certified mentor shall submit to the board a completed application for student licensure. The application shall include the following information: (A) Verification the student has demonstrated substantial progress and competency, as approved within the course of instruction, with a grade of “C” or better in the following: 1. Basic hygiene; 2. Universal precautions; 3. Contraindications; and 4. Basic massage theory and basic massage hands-on practice; and (B) Applicable fee. (2) The applicant for student licensure shall submit to a background check conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation and pay any fees required directly to the Missouri State Highway Patrol or its approved vendor(s). (3) A student license shall not be issued until the results of the criminal background check have been reviewed by the board. The results of the criminal background check are valid for one (1) year from receipt of the criminal background check in the board office. (4) Student licenses shall be displayed in a conspicuous place with a photograph that has been taken within the last two (2) years or retained by the school in a folder or file that is easily accessible for inspection by the board or a board representative. (5) The holder of a student license may practice massage therapy on members of the public while under the direct supervision of a massage therapy instructor or certified mentor and shall not receive compensation from the school, mentor, or client for any massage therapy services. (6) A student license shall expire six (6) months from the issue date or when the student completes or withdraws from a massage therapy program or apprenticeship, whichever comes first. A student license may be renewed upon submission of a written request by the massage therapy school or certified mentor explaining the reason for the student license renewal. The renewal of the license is at the discretion of the board. (7) A massage therapy instructor shall have no more than five (5) students under their direct supervision at one (1) time during massage therapy clinical practice. (A) For the purpose of this rule, direct supervision is defined as control, direction, instruction, and oversight of a student within a massage therapy program or apprenticeship. AUTHORITY: sections 324.245 and 324.265, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 197-2.040. Original rule filed Feb. 25, 2000, effective Sept. 30, 2000. Moved to 20 CSR 2197-2.040, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 21, 2007, effective March 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Aug. 21, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. *Original authority: 324.245, RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2003, 2006 and 324.265, RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2006, 2008.