30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-4.5

Current through December 10, 2024

Rule 30-2501-4.5 - Reciprocity

A. All applicants entering through reciprocity must have graduated from a massage therapy program recognized from the state of origin without non-compliance rulings issued by the NCBTMB or the FSMTB. An applicant may be licensed by demonstrating proof that the applicant holds a valid, current license in another state with similar education requirements to those required by this chapter, and that all other licensure requirements under this chapter are met. This is subject to investigation by the Board and excludes grandfathering by other states.

B. If an individual who is licensed in another state that has licensing standards substantially equivalent to the standards under this chapter as reviewed and approved by the Board, applies and pays all applicable fees in Rule 2.1 for licensure, the Board may issue a Provisional Permit authorizing the applicant to practice massage therapy for up to 90 days, pending completion of documentation that the applicant meets the requirements for licensure under this chapter. The provisional permit shall not be issued until an applicant has successfully passed the Mississippi State Law Examination, and may reflect statutory limitations on the scope of practice. The fee in Rule 2.1 for a provisional permit must accompany the application. No sooner than fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of an applicant's initial provisional permit, the applicant may apply and submit the fee in Rule 2.1 for an extension of up to 90-days under the existing provisional permit only if proof is provided of having taken and failed a Board Comprehensive Examination during the initial period of the provisional permit. A maximum of two (2) 90-day periods under a provisional permit may be authorized to each applicant.

C. Reciprocity for an applicant to the Board is defined, as follows:

1. From a regulated State:

Must be licensed and in good standing with the State regulatory Board (excludes grandfathering):

must show proof of at least three (3) years work experience as a massage therapist, must show proof of passing scores from a Board Comprehensive Examination, must take and pass the Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE) offered by the Board, must submit a timeline of massage therapy school enrollment and graduation, passage of a Board Comprehensive Examination, work experience, and residency, and must submit certified transcript(s) from a massage therapy school that includes the school's name, state license number, physical address and mailing address if different, telephone number and signed by the owner, director or administrator of the school: For a massage therapy school that is nationally or regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the transcript has a minimum of 500 hours of in-class academic education. The massage school must provide evidence of its current accreditation and be in good standing with the accrediting body.

For a non-accredited massage therapy school, the transcript is subject to verification of educational content relative to current curriculum and instruction requirements for an approved massage therapy school. The applicant may be required to obtain additional hours of training up to the current requirements from an approved massage therapy school.

For a school that is currently not approved by one or more of that state's massage regulatory body, or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, the transcript will not be valid for licensure.

For a massage therapy school that has ceased operation, the transcript must be provided by a third party that is acceptable to the Board, such as the custodian of the school's records, or that state's massage regulatory body, or the National Certification Board for

Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

2. From a non-regulated State:

Must show proof of at least three (3) years work experience as a massage therapist, must show proof of passing scores from a Board Comprehensive Examination, must take and pass the Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE) offered by the Board, and

must submit a timeline of massage therapy school enrollment and graduation, passage of a Board Comprehensive Examination, work experience, and residency, and must submit certified transcript(s) from a massage therapy school that includes the school's name, state license number, physical address and mailing address if different, telephone number and signed by the owner, director or administrator of the school: For a massage school that is nationally or regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the transcript has a minimum of 500 hours of in-class academic education. The massage school must provide evidence of its current accreditation and be in good standing with the accrediting body. For a non-accredited massage school, the transcript is subject to verification of educational content relative to current in-class hours and courses for Board-licensed massage schools. The applicant may be required to obtain additional training up to the current requirements from a Board-approved massage school.

C. A Board licensee seeking licensure through reciprocity or initial application in another state must pay all applicable fees in Rule 2.1 before the Board will verify and provide the licensee's information to the other state.

30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-4.5

Miss Code Ann. § 73-67-15(1) (m) (i) (2008); § 73-67-15(1) (m) (ii); § 73-67-17(f); (Rev. 2008); § 73-67-25(2) (Rev. 2013); § 73-67-25(3) (Rev. 2013): § 73-50-1(2013)

Amended 12/1/2014

Amended 6/30/2017

Amended 12/25/2021