30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-10.2 - Requirements for Board Approval of Continuing Education Provider and Programs

A. For the purpose of renewing or reinstating an LMT license, credit for continuing education units (CEUs) will be awarded only for providers and programs registered and recognized by the Board. Each provider must make application for Board approval on forms provided by the Board, submit non-refundable fees in accordance with Chapter 2 for a biennial approval and demonstrate that the provider has met the requirements set forth by the Board.

1. The provider must retain a "sign-in sheet" with the signature of participants and copies of any promotional materials for at least four (4) years following each program. The provider must furnish each participant with a certificate or letter of attendance verifying that the program has been completed. The certificate or letter shall not be issued until completion of the program and shall contain the provider's name and number, the title of the program and instructor, the date, the number of CEU hours, and the therapist's name and license number. A CEU certificate cannot be issued for other than the number of hours approved.

2. Each program presented for Mississippi CEU credits shall be relevant to and focus on

a. massage theory, practice, methods, or

b. the Mississippi Professional Massage Therapy Act and the MSBMT Rules and Regulations, or

c. ethical principles pertaining to the practice of massage therapy, including such topics as

i. a code of ethics,

ii. management of the client/therapist relationship,

iii. boundary functions

iv. professional communication skills

v. conflict resolution

vi. cultural diversity issues,

vii. other ethics topics as approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis, or

d. the structure, function, kinesiology or pathologies of the human body relevant for a massage therapist, or

e. methods, skills, and strategies for effective instruction and assessment for teachers.

3. Programs shall comply with the following:

a. Each program shall have stated Learning Objectives.

b. Each classroom program shall have an instructor physically present with the learners for the entire length of the program.

c. Each distance program shall have and the provider shall submit to the Board:

i. For each on-line program, two (2) codes in order that the Board may access the Provider's website to review all information relative to the distance program,

ii. For each home-study program, two (2) printed copies or one (1) electronic copy of all reading material, and two (2) copies of other course materials (e.g., DVDs) in order that the Board may review all information relative to the distance program.

iii. The results of a pilot program or a description of the means for determining the number of hours of continuing education requested for the proposed program.

iv. The documented procedure of how the provider will validate the successful completion of the program, and a copy of the assessment methods. If the provider's assessment method includes a written examination, it shall contain a minimum of five (5) questions for each hour of continuing education credit, and the questions shall assess the learner's competence for the specific Learning Objectives. The format of the exam questions shall be essay, short-answer, or multiple-choice. Multiple-choice formats must include a minimum of four (4) answers, and the incorrect answers should represent logical errors in thinking that the learner who has not read the material could have made.

v. A written statement advising who will be able to take the program (i.e., will it be limited to a particular group or will it be open to the general massage therapy profession).

d. If the program includes training on the use of a hand-held electrical massage device, the program shall:

i. state the device-specific model and manufacturer,

ii. have specific Learning Objectives for the device-related portion of the program,

iii. identify the resources used in the training for the device,

iv. provide the assessment means used to verify the learner's competence for the Learning Objectives for the device,

v. the specific schedule for device-related instruction within the program, and

vi. provide documentation and information on the instructor's training/qualifications related to the device:

1) how the education was obtained, including the name and qualifications of the person providing the training,

2) the resources that were used in the education training,

3) the means used to assess the instructor's comprehensive understanding of the use of the device, and

4) the approximate duration of the training.

e. Mississippi CEU credits may be approved for programs which are for business, marketing or self-care at the discretion of the Board. No Mississippi CEU credits will be approved for programs which exceed the scope of knowledge for massage therapy practice as described in § 73-67-7(g).

4. Each program presented for Mississippi CEU credits shall be taught by a person who:

a. holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the United States 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 programs to be offered; or,

b. has completed at least three (3) years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; and provides documentation of having

(i) within the last five years of practical experience, had a minimum of two (2) years teaching experience in the subject matter to be offered; or

(ii) completed specialized training in the subject matter satisfactory to the Board and has a minimum of two (2) years of practical experience in the subject; or

(iii) taught courses similar to the program a minimum of three (3) times in the past two (2) years before a professional convention, professional group's organized meeting, or at a massage therapy school.

5. The provider must provide to the Board, in writing, the name and address of the person responsible for ensuring that each program meets the requirements of Rule 10.2. A and said person shall so certify in the application for provider approval.

B. Providers must have approval, in writing, from the Board before advertising or presenting a program. In the event a provider does advertise approval by the Board or present the program and approval has not been granted in writing, that provider will be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and will be subject to a period of up to two years, during which time no application for approval of continuing education programs by that provider will be considered for approval. At the end of that two-year period all fines must have been paid before any applications are considered for any future programs by that provider. Providing information concerning continuing education of massage therapy in national massage publications and out-of-state instruction/ education/ information materials shall not constitute advertising as provided in § 73-67-29(4).

C. Program Approval. Providers approved pursuant to Rule 10.2. A may obtain two-year approval for all programs to be offered during their period as an approved provider. Providers may obtain program approval by making timely application on a form approved by the Board, submitting a non-refundable program fee of $50.00 that will cover all sessions of the program within the two-year period that is exactly the same material presented, the same total hours of instruction, and the same presenter. The provider must demonstrate that each program and presenter meets the requirements of Rule 10.2. A. The provider may amend the program application at any time during the two-year period to add and/or change presenters after an application has been approved by the State Board and a non-refundable $50.00 fee has been paid. Approval for a particular program will be denied if sought later than forty-five (45) day before the start of the program. Programs that include copyrighted materials must submit proof that the presenter has express permission to use said materials.

D. Out-of-State Programs. Mississippi licensees may request approval of an individual out-of-state program that has not been approved pursuant to the foregoing provisions by submitting forty five (45) days before the date of the program, an application form approved by the Board, all materials showing curriculum objectives and presenter qualifications pursuant to and satisfying Rule 10.2. A and a non-refundable program review fee of $50.00. If the individual is seeking approval for multiple programs offered at a national convention of a professional massage therapy organization, only a single non-refundable $50.00 fee need be paid by the licensee to seek approval for the multiple programs. Approval shall be for the program sessions attended by the licensed massage therapist(s) requesting approval. No credit will be issued to any other licensed massage therapist(s) attending the program.

E. Provider and Program Renewal. A document from the Board approving a provider pursuant to Rule 10.2. A or a document from the Board approving a program pursuant to Rule 10.2.C shall be valid through the second December 31^st following the date that the provider approval was issued. During the renewal period, a renewal reminder may be sent to the provider at the last address supplied to the Board. In order to obtain a renewal, the provider must renew online on or before December 31^st of the expiration year together with the non-refundable provider renewal fee. All programs expire on the same date as the provider, regardless of the program approval date.,. If the provider fails to renew a program prior to the expiration and subsequently does renew, the provider must comply with all of the then-existing requirements then-existing rules as if a new program.

F. Statement as to Approval.

1. The provider of a program approved for Mississippi CEU's, including Nationally Approved Providers and Programs under Paragraph (c) above, may announce or indicate as follows in advertising, promotional and other materials: "This program has been approved by the Mississippi Board of Massage Therapy for a maximum of___hours CEU credit". No other statement regarding Mississippi CEU approval may be made in advertising, promotional and/or other materials, including, but not limited to, a statement that an application has been made to the Board for approval or that the provider intends to apply for approval.

2. Providers may offer programs that are not approved pursuant to this Section. However, if a provider offers a program for which approval is not sought, or for which approval has been denied, the provider must announce in all advertising, promotional and other materials concerning the program as follows: "Not offered for Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy CEU's".

G. Authority to Renew and Revoke Approval. The Board retains the right and authority to audit and/or monitor CEU providers and/or programs. The Board may at any time evaluate any provider and/or program and deny, revoke, and/or decline to renew approval of that provider and/or program for good cause. This right to deny, revoke and/or decline to renewal approval includes, but is not limited to, the right to deny, revoke and/or decline to renew approval if the provider has disseminated any false or misleading information in connection with the continuing education program or if the provider has failed to conform to and abide by any governing standards, rules and/or written agreements concerning the provider and/or program.

H. Protocol for CEU Denial

1. If an application for a provider or a program is denied by the Board, the applicant/provider may offer clarification in writing for re-consideration by the Board.

2. The applicant/provider may request an informal conference, which may be attended by an attorney employed by the Board, a Board member and/or other representatives of the Board as the Chairman and legal counsel may deem necessary for the proper conduct of the conference.

3. The applicant/provider may complete an Agenda Request and appear before the full Board and present evidence and argument regarding the denial.

I. Violations of this chapter will result in fines and penalties as assessed in Chapter 2.

Notes

30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-10.2

Miss Code Ann. § 73-67-15(1) (f) (Rev. 2008); § 73-67-17(d) (Rev. 2008); § 73-67-29(4) (Rev. 2008)

Amended 12/1/2014 Amended 6/30/2017 Amended 12/25/2021