(1) Board approved massage schools or massage programs may operate transfer programs that accept an individual's credits or clock hours from massage schools, massage programs, colleges or universities, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The massage school, massage program, college or university from where credits or clock hours are being transferred is:

(i) Accredited by a national or regional education accreditation organization;

(ii) Approved by a state authority with responsibility for oversight of educational or vocational programs; or

(iii) Approved by a state agency that regulates massage schools or massage programs and is a member of the federation of state massage therapy boards.

(b) The massage school, massage program, college or university from where credits or clock hours are being transferred provides an official transcript;

(c) Courses for which credits or clock hours are granted must be substantially equivalent in content and academic rigor to the courses and clock hours presently offered by the massage school or massage program. In order to determine substantial equivalency, the massage school or massage program will evaluate the courses and clock hours. If components are missing, the massage school or massage program shall require credits or clock hours for those subjects while granting partial credit as appropriate. Documentation of the massage school's or massage program's decision-making rationale must be maintained in the student's file; and

(d) Documentation of all previous formal education and training applicable to completion of a massage school or massage program is included in each student's permanent file.

(2) A transfer program must be approved by the board prior to a massage school or massage program enrolling a transfer student via the use of transfer credits or clock hours.

(3) An authorized representative of the massage school or massage program must submit to the board a completed application packet provided by the department. Approval of a transfer program will follow the same process as outlined in WAC 246-830-420.

(4) Approval of a transfer program is valid for three years after initial approval and every five years for reapproval. The board may place restrictions on or may revoke or suspend approval of a transfer program that fails to comply with the requirements in this section or in RCW 18.108.028.