Program Approval And Curriculum Requirements

(1) Massage therapy programs must receive written approval from the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board through the application process described in paragraph (2) below. Such approval is not transferable. (2) Application Process (a) Massage therapy programs seeking approval must submit an application to the Board a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the next regularly scheduled Board meeting in order for the Board to review the application. The application must provide the following information: 1. Name of parent institution and authority for operations; 2. Location of principal clinical facilities; 3. Locations of all satellite facilities; GENERAL RULES GOVERNING MASSAGE THERAPY CHAPTER 0870-02 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 4. Names and license numbers of all licensed teaching staff and the program director; 5. Curriculum vitae, including professional license numbers and description and explanation of any prior disciplinary action taken against a license, for all teaching staff, including the program director; 6. Maximum class size; 7. A complete copy of the program catalog, submitted on plain copy paper, front- side only; and 8. Submission of other such information that the Board may deem necessary. (b) The program director may, at the discretion of the Board, be required to appear before the Board as part of the initial approval process. The curriculum shall be presented at the meeting. (3) The Board-approved program shall adhere to the following minimum standards: (a) Instructor/student ratio shall be at least one (1) instructor to every fourteen (14) students for any hands-on class; (b) The program curriculum shall include, but not be limited to, the topics contained in the MBLEx (or other current examination approved by the Board) Content Outline at the time of admission of the student. The program shall, at a minimum, consist of six hundred fifty (650) classroom hours and must contain: 1. Two hundred (200) classroom hours of sciences including, but not limited to, anatomy, physiology-Western and/or Eastern, kinesiology, pathology, HIV/AIDS and blood-borne pathogens, and hygiene (including standard precautions). Other sciences related to the human body may be included with Board approval. 2. Three hundred (300) classroom hours of basic massage theory and practice including, but not limited to, history, benefits, indications, contraindications, demonstration and supervised practice, client assessment/evaluation, soft tissue manipulations including: gliding, kneading, friction, compression, vibration, percussion, stretching, joint movements, draping, positioning, turning, feedback, charting/documentation, proper body mechanics, self-care, and intern clinic. 3. One hundred twenty-five (125) classroom hours of related subjects including, but not limited to, business standards of practice, communication skills, CPR/First Aid, the Americans with Disabilities Act, referral methods, specialized populations, and specialized and adjunct therapies/modalities (including hydrotherapy). 4. Twenty (20) classroom hours of ethics instruction. 5. Five (5) classroom hours regarding Tennessee massage statutes and regulations. (c) The program catalog, program syllabus, policies, procedures and the handbook or brochure regarding the approved examination, current content outline and eligibility criteria, are to be distributed on or before the first (1st) class session. GENERAL RULES GOVERNING MASSAGE THERAPY CHAPTER 0870-02 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (d) The program shall ensure that each graduating class shall have received a minimum of two (2) hours classroom presentation prior to graduation by the impaired professional assistance program contracted by the Board. Both the program and the impaired professional assistance program shall each maintain documentation of each presentation reflecting the date, time and attendance of the presentation and shall make such documentation available upon request by the Board. Failure to comply with this provision may subject the program to withdrawal of program approval. (e) The program must document that each student has signed and dated an acknowledgement that they understand the requirements for licensure, specifically the provisions and the Board’s policies regarding criminal convictions, prior to enrollment in the program. (f) The program must document that each student has signed and dated an acknowledgement that they are prohibited from receiving any form of compensation for massage, including but not limited to tips, gift cards, donations, etc., while enrolled in the program. (g) The program must have a written policy on the accepted pass-fail rates or grading system used by the program. (h) The program must have a written protocol or policy on the mechanism to evaluate a student’s performance. At least one (1) evaluation is required within the first half of the program. (i) The program shall create and maintain records on each student, including official transcripts, in compliance with the rules of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission or the Tennessee Board of Regents. (j) Upon request, the program shall provide a copy of the transcript to the student upon completion of or withdrawal from the program. The student must comply with the enrollment agreement to receive a copy. (k) The transcript shall comply with all THEC requirements concerning what must be included on official transcripts. (l) The program shall notify the Board of any change in directorship and/or instructors within ten (10) days of hire or discharge. Documentation of the training and experience of any new hires must be received within ten (10) days of hire. (m) The program shall notify the Board within ten (10) days of any changes made in the operation of the school such as a change of ownership, director of education, institutional director, location, and/or approval status with THEC or TBR. (n) At any time, designees of the Department of Health or other state agencies shall be provided full access to program materials, examinations, and the classroom during instruction. Failure to provide access pursuant to this provision may subject the provider to withdrawal of program approval. (o) A member of the Board or a Board designee may issue preliminary program approval subject to subsequent Board ratification. (p) The program must have a written policy on the dismissal of students. GENERAL RULES GOVERNING MASSAGE THERAPY CHAPTER 0870-02 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS