Chapter MTBT 2

MTBT 2.01 MTBT 2.01 Application for a license. An applicant for a license to practice massage therapy or bodywork therapy shall submit all of the following to the board:

MTBT 2.01(1) (1) An application on a form provided by the board.

MTBT 2.01 Note Note: Application forms are available upon request to the Department of Safety and Professional Services at [phone], [e-mail], or at the Department’s website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

MTBT 2.01(2) (2) The fee required under s. 440.05 (1), Stats.

MTBT 2.01(3) (3) Evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

MTBT 2.01(3)(a) (a) Has graduated from a school of massage therapy or bodywork therapy approved by the department of safety and professional services at the time of the applicant’s graduation or completed an approved training program under s. MTBT 3.01.

MTBT 2.01 Note Note: A list of approved schools is available upon request to the Department of Safety and Professional Services at [phone] or [e-mail].

MTBT 2.01(3)(b) (b) Has successfully completed at least 6 classroom hours of study in the laws of this state and rules of the board relating to the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy in a course of instruction offered by any of the following:

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)1. 1. A school of massage therapy or bodywork therapy approved by the department of safety and professional services, whether or not the course of instruction was completed to meet a requirement for graduation.

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)2. 2. An approved training program under s. MTBT 3.01, whether or not the training program is completed by the applicant for purposes of satisfying par. (a).

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)3. 3. A school that, at the time the course of study is completed, has approval or accreditation that is in good standing from one of the following:

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)3.a. a. An accrediting agency under s. MTBT 1.02 (1) (a) whose recognition by the United States department of education is current.

MTBT 2.01 Note Note: A list of recognized accrediting agencies is available from the United States Department of Education’s website at www.ed.gov.

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)3.b. b. An accrediting agency under s. MTBT 1.02 (1) (b) that is located in the same state or territory in which the school is located and whose criteria for approval of schools is substantially equivalent, as determined by the board, to the criteria under s. SPS 404.04.

MTBT 2.01(3)(b)4. 4. A technical college established pursuant to s. 38.02, Stats.

MTBT 2.01(3)(c) (c) Is 18 years of age or older.

MTBT 2.01(3)(d) (d) Has graduated high school or attained high school equivalency as determined by the department of public instruction under s. 115.29 (4), Stats.

MTBT 2.01(3)(e) (e) Has not been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30, 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09, 948.095 or 948.10, Stats., or a comparable offense under federal law or a law of any other state.

MTBT 2.01(3)(f) (f) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., has not been convicted of any other offense not listed in par. (e), the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g) (g) Has passed one of the following examinations:

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)1. 1. The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)2. 2. The Board Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)3. 3. The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offered prior to February 1, 2015, by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)4. 4. The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage offered prior to February 1, 2015, by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)5. 5. The Asian Bodywork Therapy Examination offered prior to December 31, 2012, by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)6. 6. An examination relating to the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy that is administered by a national board that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

MTBT 2.01(3)(g)7. 7. An examination that is substantially equivalent, as determined by the board, to an examination under subds. 1. to 5.

MTBT 2.01(3)(h) (h) Has passed an examination on laws and administrative rules governing massage therapy or bodywork therapy in this state.

MTBT 2.01(3)(i) (i) Has in effect as a policyholder and insured, malpractice liability insurance coverage in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 for all occurrences in one year.

MTBT 2.01(3)(j) (j) Has successfully completed a course consisting of 5 classroom hours in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid if the 5 classroom hours are not part of the course of study or approved training program completed by the applicant for purposes of meeting the requirement under par. (a).

MTBT 2.01(3)(k) (k) Has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38), Stats., to provide the instruction.

MTBT 2.01 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 3-1-99; emerg. am. (intro.), r. (3) (a), renum. (3) (b) to (e) to be (3) (a) to (d) and am. (3) (a) and (d), cr. (3) (e) and (f), eff. 9-3-00; am. (intro.), r. (3) (a), renum. (3) (b) to (e) to be (3) (a) to (d) and am. (3) (a) and (d), cr. (3) (e) and (f), Register, January, 2001, No. 541, eff. 2-1-01; CR 06-069: am. (intro.) and (2), r. and recr. (3) (a), renum. (3) (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) to be (f), (i), (g) (h), and (j), and am. (f), (g), (i) and (j), cr. (3) (b) to (e), Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 1-1-07; correction in (3) (j) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671; correction in (3) (j) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2012 No. 680; EmR0827: emerg. cr. (3) (k), eff. 9-10-08; CR 08-086: cr. (3) (k) Register September 2012 No. 681, eff. 10-1-12; (3) (k) renum. from SPS 91.01 (3) (k) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2012 No. 681; CR 13-055: am. (title) Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14; CR 18-053: am. (intro.), (1), (2), (3) (intro.), (a), (b) (intro.), 1., 2., renum. (3) (b) 3. to (3) (b) 3. (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (b) 3. a., b., renum. (3) (g) to (3) (g) (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (g) 1. to 7., am. (h), (j), Register July 2019 No. 763, eff. 8-1-19; correction in (3) (a), (b) (intro.), 1., (f), (g) 6., (h), made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register July 2019 No. 763.

MTBT 2.015 MTBT 2.015 Waiver of education requirements. The requirements of s. MTBT 2.01 (3) (a) and (b) shall be waived if an applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has successfully completed a course consisting of 5 classroom hours in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation and standard first aid and satisfied one of the following:

MTBT 2.015(1) (1) Is currently either certified or recertified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

MTBT 2.015(2) (2) Is currently either certified or recertified as active and in good standing by any other organization accredited to certify massage therapy or bodywork therapy by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

MTBT 2.015 History History: CR 06-069: cr. Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 1-1-07; correction in (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671; correction in (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2012 No. 680; CR 18-053: am. (intro.), (1), (2) Register July 2019 No. 763, eff. 8-1-19; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register July 2019 No. 763.

MTBT 2.03 MTBT 2.03 Reciprocal license.

MTBT 2.03(1) (1) Except as provided under s. MTBT 2.035, an applicant for a license on the basis of a similar license, registration, or license in another state or territory of the United States or another country shall submit all of the following to the board:

MTBT 2.03(1)(a) (a) An application on a form provided by the board.

MTBT 2.03 Note Note: Application forms are available upon request to the Department of Safety and Professional Services at [phone], [e-mail], or at the Department’s website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

MTBT 2.03(1)(b) (b) The fee required under s. 440.05 (2), Stats.

MTBT 2.03(1)(c) (c) Evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

MTBT 2.03(1)(c)1. 1. Holds a current similar license, registration or certificate to practice massage therapy or bodywork therapy in another state or territory of the United States or another country, the requirements for which are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 460.05, Stats.

MTBT 2.03(1)(c)2. 2. Has not been convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30, 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.08, 948.085, 948.09, 948.095 or 948.10, Stats., or a comparable offense under federal law or a law of any other state.

MTBT 2.03(1)(c)4. 4. Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., has not been convicted of any other offense not listed under subd. 2., the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy.

MTBT 2.03(1)(c)7. 7. Has in effect as a policyholder and insured, malpractice liability insurance coverage in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 for all occurrences in one year.

MTBT 2.03(2) (2) Requirements for a current similar license, registration or certificate to practice massage therapy or bodywork in another state or territory of the United States or another country, are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 460.05, Stats., if the requirements include either of the following:

MTBT 2.03(2)(a) (a) Certification by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or any other organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies to certify massage therapy or bodywork therapy.

MTBT 2.03(2)(b) (b) Passing an examination under s. MTBT 2.01 (3) (g) and completion of at least 500 classroom hours of instruction in massage therapy or bodywork therapy at a school meeting the requirements under s. MTBT 2.01 (3) (b) 3. at the time of the applicant’s graduation.

MTBT 2.03 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 3-1-99; am. (1) (intro.) and (c) 1., Register, January, 2001, No. 541, eff. 2-1-01; CR 06-069: am. (1) (intro.), (1) (c) 1., 4., and 7., and (2) r. and recr. (1) (c) 2., r. (1) (c) 3., 5. and 6., cr. (2) (a) and (b), Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 1-1-07; CR 13-055: am. (title), (1) (intro.), (a), (c) (intro.) Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14; correction in (1) (c) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2014 No. 701; CR 18-053: am. (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (c) (intro.), (2) (a), (b) Register July 2019 No. 763, eff. 8-1-19; correction in (1) (c) 1., 4., (2) (a), (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register July 2019 No. 763; CR 21-001: am. (1) (intro.) Register May 2022 No. 797, eff. 6-1-22.

MTBT 2.035 MTBT 2.035 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses. A reciprocal license to practice massage therapy or bodywork therapy shall be granted to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the board may request verification necessary to make a determination under this section.

MTBT 2.035 History History: CR 21-001: cr. Register May 2022 No. 797, eff. 6-1-22.

MTBT 2.04 MTBT 2.04 Accommodations relating to a disability. A qualified applicant with a disability shall be provided with reasonable accommodations requested in connection with the completion of an application for licensure as a massage therapist or bodywork therapist.

MTBT 2.04 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1999, No. 518, eff. 3-1-99; CR 06-069: am. Register December 2006 No. 1-1-07; CR 18-053: am. Register July 2019 No. 763, eff. 8-1-19; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register July 2019 No. 763.