After changes were signed into law in March 2012, the guidelines that Utah utilizes to regulate massage therapists have been more clearly defined and synthesized. With new definitions for massage therapy and manipulation, the laws go the extra mile to deter massage therapy from accompanying prostitution-like activities. The new enacted bill sets standards that law enforcement officials may use to crack down on prostitution rings hiding behind assumed legitimate massage parlor enterprises. Escorts and other hopeful masseurs must meet age restrictions, obtain required education and pass state and national examinations in order to be eligible for licensing as massage therapists in Utah. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing oversees the Board of Massage Therapy which regulates all aspects of massage therapy licensing. Additionally, the changes to the law require alternative medical providers such as Reiki masters and Shiatsu masseurs to become licensed before they can legally provide services to clients.
The practice of massage therapy is: providing, offering or advertising a paid service using the term massage, reagrdless of whether the service includes physical contact.
"Manipulation" means: physical contact, with movement, on the clothed or unclothed body.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Candidates must submit a completed application, along with a non-refundable fee. The application requires self-disclosure of all previous criminal activity and any past licensing restrictions, revocations or suspensions in other states.
Applicants must possess good moral character, and it must be represented by the lack of a criminal background that includes sexual offenses, offenses involving controlled substances or violent crimes.
Candidates must submit to fingerprinting by the Department of Safety that will be used for criminal background checks by the FBI.
Applicants must attend at least 600 hours of approved education provided by a massage school or program. Proof of attendance and passage must be provided through official transcripts. The curriculum must include minimums such as:
285 hours of massage theory including 5 basic Swedish massage strokes
125 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology
100 hours of clinical practice
40 hours of pathology
35 hours of professional standards, ethics and business practices
15 hours of sanitation, CPR and first aid
Candidates must provide proof of passage of the Utah Massage Law and Rule Examination and one of the following three examinations:
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworks (NCETMB)
National Examination for State Licensing (NESL)
Massage and Bodyworks Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Licensees may have their state certifications revoked or suspended for unlawful or unprofessional conduct including:
Allowing someone to engage in massage therapy without a license while under their supervision.
Massing or touching the genital area, anus or breasts in a sexual manner.
Drug or alcohol abuse that affects one's abilities as a massage therapist.
Failure to fully disclose past criminal activity.
Licensees must renew their licenses every 2 years.
