A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to promote public safety through the regulation of reflexology.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 43.
"Reflexology.
"§ 90‑726.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1)	Certification. – A determination by the certifying entity that an individual has passed the certifying entity's national exam and that the individual has an active status with the certifying entity.
(2)	Certified reflexologist. – An individual that has achieved national certification in reflexology, as determined by the certifying entity.
(3)	Certifying entity. – The American Reflexology Certification Board, or its successor.
(4)	Reflexology. – A protocol of manual techniques, including thumb‑ and finger‑walking, hook and backup and rotating‑on‑a‑point, that are applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands and that stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems and support the body's efforts to function optimally.
"§ 90‑726.1.  Compensation for reflexology services.
Compensation may be received for reflexology services only when those services are performed by a certified reflexologist unless any of the following applies:
(1)	The individual is a reflexology student working to obtain a certification of completion from a nationally recognized reflexology education program.
(2)	The individual holds a certification of completion from a nationally recognized reflexology education program, and that program was completed no more than six months prior to that individual receiving compensation for reflexology services.
"§ 90‑726.2.  Certificate to be displayed.
(a)	At all places of business in which compensated reflexology services are offered, a valid and up‑to‑date certificate issued by the certifying entity for all individuals offering compensated reflexology services shall be displayed in a prominent place.
(b)	If a certified reflexologist performs reflexology services for compensation at a location outside of the certified reflexologist's main place of business, the certified reflexologist shall have on his or her person a valid, up‑to‑date certification card issued by the certifying entity at the time the services are performed.
"§ 90‑726.3.  Advertising for reflexology services.
All public advertising designed to attract clients for reflexology services shall identify that the services will be performed by a certified reflexologist and shall include the name of the certifying entity.
"§ 90‑726.4.  Exemptions.
This Article shall not apply to an individual who may apply pressure to the reflex areas on the hands, feet, and outer ears in the regular course of that individual's work, so long as (i) the individual is licensed by this State as a massage therapist, physician, chiropractor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, cosmetologist, registered nurse, or as a member of other professions licensed by the State and (ii) this application of pressure to the reflex areas on the hands, feet, and outer ears accounts for no more than twenty‑five percent (25%) of that individual's work.
"§ 90‑726.5.  Enforcement.
(a)	Any individual in violation of any provision of this Article shall be subject to a civil penalty of no more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation. The clear proceeds of the civil penalty assessed under this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2.
(b)	A place of business in violation of any provision of this Article shall be subject to the following:
(1)	A civil penalty of no more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation. The clear proceeds of the civil penalty assessed under this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2.
(2)	A suspension of any license to operate the business for no more than 90 days."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 90‑624 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(9)	A certified reflexologist engaged in the practice of reflexology, as defined in G.S. 90‑726."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective January 1, 2023.