S-0772.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6029

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senator Thibaudeau

Read first time 02/23/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Certifying reflexologists in the practice of reflexology.

    AN ACT Relating to certifying reflexologists in the practice of reflexology; amending RCW 18.108.010 and 18.108.030; and adding new sections to chapter 18.108 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 18.108.010 and 1997 c 297 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following meanings shall apply:

    (1) "Board" means the Washington state board of massage.

    (2) "Certified reflexologist" means a person who provides reflexology services in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(3) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes.  Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and facial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts.  Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation.

    (((3))) (4) "Massage business" means the operation of a business where massages are given.

(5) "Massage practitioner" means an individual licensed under this chapter.

    (((4))) (6) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

    (((5) Massage business means the operation of a business where massages are given.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:

    Certified reflexologists shall meet educational requirements as set by the board subject to the approval of the secretary by rule.  The educational requirements shall meet a minimum standard of educational hours of coursework specific to the practice of reflexology as determined by rule.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:

    No person may practice reflexology without receiving a certificate to practice reflexology from the board.

    Sec. 4.  RCW 18.108.030 and 1995 c 198 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) No person may practice or represent himself or herself as a massage practitioner without first applying for and receiving from the department a license to practice.

    (2) 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, unless certified under this chapter, acupressurist, body therapy or body therapist, or any derivation of those terms that implies a massage technique or method.

                            --- END ---