PERMANENT RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Chapter 246-940 WAC, the adopted rules implement ESSB 5403 (chapter 70, Laws of 2007) codified as chapter 18.240 RCW. The rules establish the education, examination, and practice requirements for individuals who only practice animal massage. The rules do not apply to licensed health care providers whose scope of practice already allows for the practice of animal massage. ESSB 6444 (chapter 37, Laws of 2010) authorized the secretary to set the animal massage practitioner fees.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.240.050.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-07-088 on March 22, 2011.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Judy Haenke, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4947, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail judy.haenke@doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 12, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 12, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 24, 2011.
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-1347.13
CERTIFIED ANIMAL MASSAGE PRACTITIONER
(1) "Client" means the owner of the animal or the owner's agent.
(2) "Department" means the department of health.
(3) "Didactic instruction" means instructor led classroom instruction.
(4) "Distance learning" includes instruction completed through written correspondence courses, video instruction, or provided electronically through web-based instruction.
(5) "Large animals" includes equine, food animals, camelids-ruminants, nonruminants, and large exotics.
(6) "Client information form" means a form provided to the large or small animal's client informing them of the practitioner's scope of practice and qualifications.
(7) "Practical or hands-on instruction" means in-person instruction, or demonstration under the direction of a qualified instructor.
(8) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.
(9) "Small animals" includes cats, dogs, pocket pets, avian and small exotics.
[]
(2) A certified animal massage practitioner may not diagnose, prognose, or treat diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries of animals; attempt to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the animal's body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force; perform acupuncture involving the use of needles; or perform mechanical therapies that are restricted to the field of veterinary medicine.
(3) A certified animal massage practitioner may provide animal massage solely for purposes of the animal's well-being.
[]
(1) Successfully complete a three hundred hour training program approved by the secretary, that includes instruction in general animal massage techniques, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, first-aid care and handling techniques:
(a) To practice animal massage on large animals, the three hundred hours of instruction must be related to the performance of animal massage on large animals;
(b) To practice animal massage on small animals, the three hundred hours of instruction must be related to the performance of animal massage on small animals;
(c) For certification in both small animal massage and large animal massage, the candidate must complete the training described in (a) and (b) of this subsection.
(2) Successfully complete a qualifying examination approved by the secretary:
(a) To practice animal massage on large animals, successfully complete the National Certification Examination for Equine Massage administered by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage;
(b) To practice animal massage on small animals, successfully complete the National Certification Examination for Canine Massage administered by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage.
(c) Candidates seeking certification in both small animal massage and large animal massage must meet all requirements in (a) and (b) of this subsection.
(3) Successfully complete the Washington state animal massage jurisprudence examination; and
(4) Complete four clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
[]
(2) The passing score on the examination is ninety percent.
(3) An applicant who does not successfully complete the examination may request to retake the examination by submitting a written request to the department.
[]
(1) A completed application and fee;
(2) Proof of successful completion of the training required in WAC 246-940-050 received directly from the program where the applicant completed the training;
(3) Proof of successful completion of a certification examination required in WAC 246-940-020;
(4) Proof of successful completion of the Washington state jurisprudence examination as required in WAC 246-940-020;
(5) Verification of four clock hours of AIDS education as required in WAC 246-940-020;
(6) Verification from all states in which the applicant holds or has held a credential to practice animal massage, indicating that the applicant has or has not been subject to charges or disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and
(7) Additional documentation as required by the secretary to determine whether an applicant is qualified for certification.
[]
(a) Are accredited by a recognized regional or state accrediting body or vocational or technical accrediting body; and
(b) Meet the requirements of subsection (3)(a) through (f) of this section.
(2) Methods of instruction may include didactic instruction, distance learning, and practical or hands-on instruction.
(3) Approved animal massage programs must include a minimum of three hundred hours of instruction related to either large animals or small animals as follows:
(a) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in general animal massage techniques. At least thirty-five of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:
(i) Technique:
(A) Stroking including effleurage, and gliding;
(B) Percussions, including tapotement;
(C) Compressions;
(D) Friction, including rubbing, and gliding with pressure;
(E) Swedish gymnastics or movements;
(F) Kneading;
(G) Range of motion or stretching;
(H) Fascial or connective tissue stretching;
(ii) Contraindications in zoonotic diseases;
(iii) Documentation and recordkeeping;
(iv) Physiological benefits;
(v) Palpation; and
(vi) Body mechanics of the practitioner.
(b) A minimum of sixty hours of instruction in kinesiology. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:
(i) Biomechanics, including range of motion, gait analysis, and muscle actions;
(ii) Conformation analysis; and
(iii) Observation.
(c) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction.
(i) The instruction in anatomy and physiology must include the function and structure of the following systems:
(A) Skeletal system;
(B) Muscular system;
(C) Nervous system;
(D) Digestive system; and
(E) Circulatory system.
(ii) The instruction in anatomy and physiology must include the relationship and effect of massage on the following systems:
(A) Endocrine system;
(B) Integumentary; and
(C) Fascial anatomy.
(d) A minimum of seventy-five hours of instruction in animal behavior and handling. At least twenty-one of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:
(i) Breed characteristics;
(ii) Body language;
(iii) Social dynamics;
(iv) Signs of stress;
(v) Communication;
(vi) Methods of restraints;
(vii) Situations with specially trained animals; and
(viii) Environment.
(e) A minimum of ten hours of instruction in business practices. The instruction must include the following subjects:
(i) Ethics;
(ii) File management;
(iii) Documentation of care;
(iv) Liability; and
(v) Multicultural education as described in RCW 43.70.615.
(f) A minimum of five hours of instruction in first aid. At least two of those hours must be practical or hands-on instruction. The instruction must include the following subjects:
(i) Vitals, including respiration, pulse, heart rate, temperature, and capillary refill;
(ii) Recognizing emergencies;
(iii) Emergency first-aid care;
(iv) Hydration test; and
(v) Ethics and responsibilities.
[]
(1) Practitioner's qualifications, including:
(a) Education; and
(b) State certification number and date of issue.
(2) A statement that the practitioner is limited to providing massage solely for purposes of animal well-being.
(3) A statement that the practitioner may not:
(a) Diagnose, prognose, or treat diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries;
(b) Adjust or manipulate any articulations of the animal's body or spine;
(c) Perform acupuncture; or
(d) Perform mechanical therapies that are restricted to the field of veterinary medicine.
(4) A copy of the signed information form must be maintained in the animal's record.
[]
(2) Practitioners must keep a copy of their certification with them when practicing at locations other than their primary place of practice.
[]
(2) A separate record shall be kept for each animal.
(3) All records shall be legible, readily retrievable and shall be kept for a period of three years following the last treatment.
(4) The records shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Name, address, and telephone number of the client;
(b) Name or other identification of the animal;
(c) Description of the animal's condition and the nature of the massage services provided;
(d) The client information form;
(e) If the certified animal massage practitioner suspects that the animal has an injury or condition that may require veterinary care, he or she must advise the client and make a notation in the animal's record.
[]
(2) If the certification has expired for more than five years, the animal massage practitioner must also submit verification of active practice in any other state or jurisdiction, or retake and successfully pass the examinations required in WAC 246-940-020. For the purpose of this section, active practice means at least two hundred hours of practice in each of the previous three years.
[]
(2) Proof of instruction submitted under this section must include three hundred hours of instruction related to either large animals or small animals and must include the content areas described in WAC 246-940-050 (3)(a) through (f).
(3) The applicant must meet all certification requirements except the training may be from a nonaccredited program.
(4) Applications under this section must be submitted by December 31, 2011, including all supporting documentation.
[]
(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for certification:
| Title of Fee | Fee | |
| Application for large animal certification | $200.00 | |
| Application for small animal certification | 200.00 | |
| Renewal of certification for large animal certification | 150.00 | |
| Renewal of certification for small animal certification | 150.00 | |
| Late renewal penalty fee per certification | 75.00 | |
| Expired credential reissuance fee per certification | 75.00 | |
| Duplicate credential per certification | 30.00 | |
| Certification of credential per certification | 30.00 | |
[]