Rule 345-9-.01 - Exemptions from Licensure(1) "Massage Therapy" means the act or practice of employing structured touch, pressure, movement and holding to the soft tissue of the body of a natural person for the particular purpose of enhancing or helping to restore a natural persons health and well being. Please refer to O.C.G.A. § 43-24A-3(8) for the Georgia law defining massage therapy.(2) The Massage Therapy Practice Act (O.C.G.A. §43-24A) does not restrict or prevent the practice, services or activities of any natural person legally operating under the authority of other licensing laws in Georgia, provided that, the individual does not use the title of "Massage Therapist" unless such individual holds a massage therapy license issued by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.(3) Only duly licensed massage therapists practicing in accordance with the Board rules and Georgia law may practice massage therapy in Georgia, or, use in connection with their own name or that of their business or employer, the terms massage, massage therapy, massage therapist, massage practitioner, or the letters M.T. or L.M.T. or any other representation either direct or indirect, indicating to the general public that massage therapy is provided or available. Such activities are prohibited unless the provider is an actively licensed massage therapist by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.(4) A nonresident person rendering massage therapy up to 60 days during a 12 month period for treatment of a temporary sojourner only provided such individual is properly and currently licensed or certified to practice massage therapy.(5) A nonresident person who is properly and currently licensed or certified to practice massage therapy when in this state to provide service as part of an emergency response team working in conjunction with disaster relief officials or as part of a charity event.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 345-9-.01
Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-1-10, 43-1-19, 43-1-24, 43-1-25, 43-24A-3, 43-24A-7, 43-24A-8, 43-24A-10, 43-24A-14, 50-13-3.
Original Rule entitled "Exemptions from Licensure" adopted. F. July 5, 2007; eff. July 25, 2007.