§ 90-631.  Massage and bodywork therapy schools.

(a) The Board shall establish rules for the approval of massage and bodywork therapy schools. These rules shall include:

(1) Basic curriculum standards that ensure graduates have the education and skills necessary to carry out the safe and effective practice of massage and bodywork therapy.

(2) Standards for faculty and learning resources.

(3) Requirements for reporting changes in instructional staff and curriculum.

(4) A description of the process used by the Board to approve a school.

Any school that offers a training program in massage and bodywork therapy, not otherwise exempt from the requirements of Board approval, shall submit an application for approval to the Board. If a massage and bodywork therapy school offers training programs at more than one physical location, each location shall constitute a separate massage and bodywork therapy school. The Board shall grant approval to a school, whether in this State or another state, that meets the criteria established by the Board. The Board shall maintain a list of approved schools and a list of community college programs operating pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(a1) The Board shall have general supervision over massage and bodywork therapy schools, not otherwise exempt from the requirements of Board approval, in this State for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public by requiring that massage and bodywork therapy schools carry out their advertised promises and contracts made with their students and patrons and by requiring that approved massage and bodywork therapy schools maintain:

(1) Adequate, safe, and sanitary facilities.

(2) Sufficient and qualified instructional and administrative staff.

(3) Satisfactory programs of operation and instructions.

(b) A massage and bodywork therapy program operated by a North Carolina community college that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency, as defined in G.S. 115D-6.2, is exempt from the approval process, licensure process, or both, established by the Board. The college shall certify annually to the Board that the program meets or exceeds the minimum standards for curriculum, faculty, and learning resources established by the Board. Students who complete the program shall qualify for licenses from the Board as if the program were approved, licensed, or both, by the Board.

(c) A massage and bodywork therapy program operated by a degree or diploma granting college or university that offers a degree or diploma in massage therapy and is accredited by any accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and is licensed by the North Carolina Community College System or The University of North Carolina Board of Governors is exempt from the approval process, licensure process, or both, established by the Board. The college or university shall certify annually to the Board that the program meets or exceeds the minimum standards for curriculum, faculty, and learning resources established by the Board. Students who complete the program shall qualify for licenses from the Board as if the program were approved, licensed, or both, by the Board. (1998-230, s. 10; 2005-276, s. 8.15(a); 2008-224, ss. 13, 14; 2023-132, s. 3.4(a).)