BILL REQ. #:  H-4056.2 

Read first time 01/17/08.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to the regulation of massage therapy; amending RCW 18.108.070; and adding a new section to chapter 18.108 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 18.108.070 and 1991 c 3 s 257 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary shall issue a massage practitioner's license to an applicant who demonstrates to the secretary's satisfaction that the following requirements have been met:
     (1) Effective June 1, 1988, successful completion of a course of study in an approved massage program or approved apprenticeship program;
     (2) Successful completion of an examination administered or approved by the board; ((and))
     (3) Completion of a number of hours of continuing education courses, as determined and approved by the board, every two years; and
     (4) Be eighteen years of age or older.
     In addition, applicants shall be subject to the grounds for denial or issuance of a conditional license under chapter 18.130 RCW.
     The secretary may require any information and documentation that reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for licensure provided for in this chapter and chapter 18.130 RCW. The secretary shall establish by rule what constitutes adequate proof of meeting the criteria. The board shall give an appropriate alternate form of examination for persons who cannot read or speak English to determine equivalent competency.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary must grant a massage practitioner an inactive credential if the massage practitioner submits a letter to the board stating his or her intent to obtain an inactive credential, and he or she:
     (a) Holds an active Washington state massage practitioner's license;
     (b) Is in good standing, as determined by the board; and
     (c) Does not practice massage in the state of Washington.
     (2) The secretary may reinstate the massage practitioner's license if the massage practitioner:
     (a) Pays the current active renewal fee and other fees for active licensure;
     (b) Provides a written declaration that:
     (i) No action has been taken by a state or federal jurisdiction or hospital which would prevent or restrict the practitioner's practice of massage therapy;
     (ii) He or she has not voluntarily given up any credential or privilege or been restricted in the practice of massage therapy to avoid other sanctions;
     (iii) He or she has satisfied continuing education and competency requirements for the two most recent years; and
     (c) Meets other requirements for reinstatement, as may be determined by the board.