Chapter 5.10
MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
Sections:
5.10.020 Advertising massage by unlicensed person unlawful.
5.10.010 License required.
A. No person may practice or represent himself or herself as a massage practitioner without first applying for and receiving from the Washington State Department of Licensing a license to practice.
B. A person represents himself or herself as a massage practitioner when the person adopts or uses any title or any description of services that incorporates one or more of the following terms or designations: massage, massage practitioner, massage therapist, massage therapy, therapeutic massage, massage technician, massage technology, massagist, masseur, masseuse, myotherapist or myotherapy, touch therapist, reflexologist, acupressurist, body therapy or body therapist, or any derivation of those terms that imposes a massage technique or method. (Ord. 1296 § 1, 1998).
5.10.020 Advertising massage by unlicensed person unlawful.
It shall be unlawful to advertise the practice of massage using the term “massage” or any other term that implies a massage technique or method or any public or private publication or communication by a person not licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing as a massage practitioner or without printing in display advertisement the license number of the massage practitioner. Any person who holds a license to practice as a massage practitioner in this state may use the title “licensed massage practitioner” and the abbreviation “L.M.P.” No other persons may assume such title or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using the title is a licensed massage practitioner. (Ord. 1296 § 2, 1998).
5.10.030 Exemptions.
This does not apply to:
A. An individual giving massage to member of his or her immediate family;
B. The practice of a profession by individuals who are licensed, certified, or registered under other laws of this state and who are performing services within their authorized scope of practice;
C. Massage practiced at the athletic department of any institution maintained by the public funds of the state, or any of its political subdivisions;
D. Massage practice at the athletic department of any school or college approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing by rule using recognized national professional standards;
E. Students enrolled in an approved massage school, approved program, or approved apprenticeship program practicing massage techniques incidental to the massage school or program and supervised by the approved school or program. Students must identify themselves as a student when performing massage services on members of the public. Students may not be compensated for the massage services they provide;
F. Individuals who have completed a somatic education training program approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing. (Ord. 1296 § 3, 1998).