Minnesota Massage Licensing

Minnesota Massage Licensing has a unique freedom of access concept which is very different from all of the other states that regulate massage.

This is from the Minnesota AMTA Website:

Currently, Massage Therapy practiced in the state of Minnesota is subject to Minnesota Statute 2007, Chapter 146A, officially titled the Unlicensed Complimentary and Alternative Health Care Act, or as it is more commonly referred to, “The CAP Law”. This law was enacted in July 2001. Since that time any unlicensed practitioner must adhere to this law which, among other things:

* Requires each new client must receive a copy, and a signed copy must be kept on file in their records, of the Complimentary and Alternative Health Care Bill of Rights, which must be customized to the individual practitioner with whom they will be working.
* Establishes the Office of Unlicensed Complimentary and Alternative Health Care Practice to oversee compliance, investigate claims, and levy penalties against those breaking the law.
* Enumerates those actions which are prohibited, Sets out penalties for committing prohibited acts, and gives the Office of Complimentary and Alternative Health Care Practices the authority to enforce those penalties, up to and including prohibiting a practitioner from practicing. Some of the prohibited activities listed which are grounds for disciplinary actions:

• Conviction of a crime involving the practice of CAP therapies;
• Habitual overindulgence or dependence on intoxicating liquors or improper use of drugs or controlled substances as defined by MN statute;
• Breaking client confidentiality outside of what is required under federal or state law;
• Failure to comply with requirement to provide a copy of the Client Bill of Rights;
• “Kickbacks” for referrals or other fraudulent billing practices including violations of Medicare/Medicaid/State Medical Assistance laws;
• Failure to self-report any violations or to cooperate with investigations;
• Obtaining money from a client other than what is “reasonable” for session fees by means of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud;
• Undertaking or continuing a therapist-client relationship where the objectivity of the provider is compromised (Dual relationship);

Minnesota Massage Licensing: From Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice"(a) "Complementary andalternative health care practices" means the broad domain of complementary and alternativehealing methods and treatments, including but not limited to: (1) acupressure; (2) anthroposophy;(3) aroma therapy; (4) ayurveda; (5) cranial sacral therapy; (6) culturally traditional healingpractices; (7) detoxification practices and therapies; (8) energetic healing; (9) polarity therapy;(10) folk practices; (11) healing practices utilizing food, food supplements, nutrients, and thephysical forces of heat, cold, water, touch, and light; (12) Gerson therapy and colostrum therapy;(13) healing touch; (14) herbology or herbalism; (15) homeopathy; (16) nondiagnostic iridology;(17) body work, massage, and massage therapy; (18) meditation; (19) mind-body healingpractices; (20) naturopathy; (21) noninvasive instrumentalities; and (22) traditional Orientalpractices, such as Qi Gong energy healing.(b) Complementary and alternative health care practices do not include surgery, x-rayradiation, administering or dispensing legend drugs and controlled substances, practices thatinvade the human body by puncture of the skin, setting fractures, the use of medical devices asdefined in section 147A.01, any practice included in the practice of dentistry as defined in section150A.05, subdivision 1, or the manipulation or adjustment of articulations of joints or the spine asdescribed in section 146.23 or 148.01. "

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE CLIENT BILLOF RIGHTS needs to be given to each client on their first visit. This really is a statement of informed consent which I think should be the basis of any health care practitioners practice.

To learn more about careers in massage, job opportunities and how to choose a massage school see the Massage Career Guide - The Truth About Becoming a Massage Therapist

See also:Sample Client Bill of Rights Statement from www.massagenerd.com

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