64B7-28.0096. Minimum Standards for Continuing Education

(1) For the purposes of this section, “approved provider” means an entity authorized by the Board to offer approved courses by approved instructors.

(2) An approved provider must:

(a) Provide an identifiable person to be responsible for ensuring that each approved course offered under their approved providership meets with the minimum standards set forth in this section.

(b) Renew their provider registration number by August 31st of every odd year in accordance with subsection 64B-9.001(4), F.A.C. by submitting the appropriate form, a renewal fee of $50.00, and any course updates required by subsection 64B7-28.0096(6), F.A.C. A provider who fails to renew their provider registration number must reapply for approval of their providership.

(3) For each approved course offered, an approved provider must:

(a) Maintain a copy of all promotional materials as well as a record of attendance which includes the signature of the licensees in attendance for a period of four years.

(b) Provide each participant who completes the approved course with a certificate of attendance, which includes the name of the approved provider, the registration number of the approved provider, the name of the participant, the license number of the participant, the program number and title of the approved course, and the length of the course in classroom hours.

(4) For the purposes of this section, “approved instructor” means a person who is qualified to instruct a continuing education course under the auspices of an approved provider. An approved instructor must:

(a) Hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the approved course or courses to be offered, or

(b) Have completed a course of study at a massage school with a curriculum which is equivalent to or exceeds that which is required by Chapter 64B7-32, F.A.C., or an apprenticeship which required completion of a course of study which is equivalent to or exceeds that which is required by Chapter 64B7-29, F.A.C., or have taught at a board approved massage school or a massage school in another jurisdiction which offers a curriculum which is equivalent to or exceeds that which is required by Chapter 64B7-32, F.A.C. and which is approved by a state licensing authority, a nationally recognized massage therapy association, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body, who subsequently completed five years of professional experience in the practice of massage, and,

a. Have, within the last five years, had a minimum of two years teaching experience in the subject matter to be offered, or

b. Have offered a course or courses at a Board approved massage therapy school with content which is equivalent to or which exceed those which they intend to offer as an approved instructor, or

c. Have completed specialized training in the subject matter and have a minimum of two years of practical experience in the subject.

(5) For the purposes of this section, “approved course” means a course of study offered by an approved provider and instructed by an approved instructor.

(a) All approved courses must have stated learner objectives, a breakdown of the total continuing education hours offered for each objective, subject matter which corresponds to each objective, an evaluation measuring the student’s mastery of each learning objective, and teaching methods which use principles of adult education.

(b) Approved courses which provide instruction hours may be delivered by correspondence, home study, video or digital media, distance learning, or in an in-person setting. If the instruction hours are not delivered in an in-person setting, the course must include an evaluation graded by the instructor.

(c) Approved courses which provide classroom hours must be taught in an in-person setting, must include hands-on instruction or demonstration, and must have stated learner objectives which are relevant to and focused on massage therapy techniques, skills, and protocols as defined in Section 480.033(3), F.S.

(d) Approved courses which provide instruction in human trafficking awareness pursuant to Section 456.0431, F.S., must address both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, how to identify individuals who may be victims of human trafficking, how to report cases of human trafficking, resources available to victims, and how to seek assistance as a victim of trafficking.

(6) Approved courses must be revised and updated for changes occurring during the biennial period.

(7) The Board may audit approved courses being offered, and may suspend or rescind approval of courses, instructors and providers, or take other corrective action if:

(a) An approved provider or instructor has disseminated false or misleading information regarding with their providership, instructorship or the content of their approved courses, or fails to comply with the laws and rules which govern massage therapy.

(b) An approved course is found to be obsolete or erroneous.

(c) An approved course offers classroom hours with learner objectives or subject matter that is not relevant to and focused on massage therapy techniques, skills, and protocols as defined in Section 480.033(3), F.S.

(8) The Board shall inform the approved provider of their audit findings in writing prior to suspension, rescission or any other corrective action. The provider shall respond in writing. The provider may request an appearance before the Board at the next scheduled meeting to explain any mitigating factors.

Rulemaking Authority 456.025(7), 480.035(7), 480.0415 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.025(7), 456.0341, 480.0415 FS History–New 10-18-20.