30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-6.1 - Renewal

Licenses are valid through May 31^st of the second year (the "expiration date") following issuance or any renewal thereafter. Therapist shall not practice massage after the expiration date listed on their license unless renewed either by paper or online method.

A. Proof of current CPR and First Aid certifications will be required with each renewal application. CEU credits will be awarded for these certifications in the amount of 3 hours inclusive.

B. A 3-hour CEU class of Mississippi Law/Rules and Regulations and a 3-hour course in ethics will be required with each renewal.

C. As a courtesy, Licensed Massage Therapists may be notified of renewal.

D. Failure to receive a renewal notice from the Board will not relieve the license holder from the renewal requirements.

E. Paper Renewals: The following items must be postmarked 30 days prior to expiration for every licensed therapist who continues to practice:

1. The most recent renewal form which may be downloaded from the Board website, completed in its entirety; and the prescribed license renewal fee.

2. The late fee must be included for applications postmarked less than 30 days prior to expiration plus any other fees that may apply as listed in Chapter 2 above.

3. A fee of $35.00 will apply to LMT's who renew by paper method.

4. Payment must be remitted by Cashier's Check or Money Order. Corporate checks are accepted from Mississippi licensed massage therapy schools in good standing.

F. Online Renewals: Massage therapists may renew licenses online during the period beginning 60 days prior to the license expiration date and ending 90 days after the license expiration date. If renewal occurs after the expiration date, late fees apply and the massage therapist shall not practice massage until the license has been renewed. The licensee is not excused from paying late fees or other consequences of license expiration due to the unavailability of the on-line renewal method on the last working day or any holiday or weekend day for state employees prior to license expiration, or failure of the licensee to complete the on-line renewal process prior to the end of the last day for which the license is active.

1. All other provisions for renewal will apply. The most up to date information may be found at www.msbmt.ms.gov.

2. The massage therapist must allow sufficient time to renew by the paper method if online renewal is not allowed. Renewals may not be processed online if:

a. There is a change that would require verification such as a legal name change. Such changes must be done prior to online renewal by providing MSBMT a copy of the legal document verifying the name change.

b. There are insufficient CEU's posted to the therapist's account. While Providers are responsible for reporting CEU's promptly, it is the therapist's responsibility to verify that the information is current and accurate.

c. There is disciplinary action pending against the licensee.

d. Fines or penalties are not current under a Board-approved payment arrangement.

3. If, since the last application for a massage license, the massage therapist has disciplinary or other licensing actions, been convicted or found guilty of crimes, been treated for substance abuse or for mental or emotional disorders, been found legally incompetent, or been subject to complaints or civil litigation, the licensee may renew online. If there are any affirmative responses to the affidavit questions, the licensee must submit the detail as required, within 5 days.

G. The license status will be changed to "Expired" for all licensees who fail to renew their license more than 90 days after the expiration date listed on their license.

H. An individual with an "Expired" license for up to and including 90 days who wishes to return to current status must pay applicable late fee(s) in additional to the current renewal fee. An individual with an "Expired" license for more than 90 days who wishes to reinstate to active status must submit a paper application for renewal, pay the current renewal fee, reapplication fee and submit proof to the Board that the licensee has satisfied the CEU requirements that would have been applicable had the licensee been on active status. An individual with an "Expired" license cannot move to "Inactive" or "Retired" status. After three (3) years on expired status, the licensee must comply with Rule 6.1.K.

I. "Inactive" Status: Those who wish to put their active license on the inactive list, remaining there for a period not to exceed three (3) years before returning to active practice, may do so without reexamination or late fees upon submission of all fees and an affidavit provided by the Board requesting inactive status, which shall attest that they shall not perform massage therapy for compensation within the State of Mississippi while on inactive status. They shall surrender their license to the Board and no license shall be issued while on inactive status. To reinstate to active status the licensee must submit an application for renewal, pay the current renewal fee, reapplication fee and submit proof to the Board that the licensee has satisfied the CEU requirements that would have been applicable had the licensee been on active status, including the two (2) years when the therapist last held an "Active" license plus each subsequent calendar year after the therapist failed to pay renewal fees. CEU credits do not expire while on "Inactive Status". After three (3) years of inactive status, the license shall be considered expired. Should the license expire, all requirements of an "expired" license under Rule 6.1.K shall apply. An individual who is on "Inactive" status, and who otherwise meets the requirements for the "Retired" status of Rule 6.1.L, may request to have the Board change the individual's status from "Inactive" to "Retired."

J. Any license that is not renewed or placed on inactive or retired status before the license has expired/lapsed will be deemed expired.

K. Any individual whose license has expired/lapsed for failure to pay the required renewal fees for a period of three (3) years must

1. submit a MT.01 Application for Professional Licensure (for first time applicants), and

2. follow the rules set forth in Chapter 4 "License Requirements" as if a new applicant, and

3. submit proof to the Board that the applicant has satisfied the CEU requirements that would have been applicable had the applicant been on active status, not to exceed sixty (60) hours. This includes the two (2) years when the applicant last held an "Active" license plus each subsequent calendar year after the applicant failed to pay renewal fees.

L. "Retired" Status: Those who wish to be removed from active status and have held a Mississippi Massage Therapist License for a period of five (5) years with no fines or penalties imposed for the last three (3) years of active service. This status is provided upon request of the licensee to the Board and no license shall be issued while on retired status. To reinstate to active status, the licensee must submit an application for renewal, pay the current renewal fee, pay the reapplication fee if the licensee has been on the "Retired" status for three (3) or fewer years, and submit proof to the Board that the licensee has satisfied the CEU requirements that would have been applicable had the licensee been on active status, including the two (2) years when the therapist last held an "Active" license plus each subsequent calendar year after the therapist failed to pay renewal fees. CEU credits do not expire while on "Retired" status. A "retired" massage therapist may remain in this status for an indefinite period of time.

M. "Suspended" Status: The Board at its discretion may place a license on suspended status which indicates that the privilege to practice massage therapy has been temporarily terminated. This status results from actions taken under Chapter 8 of these Rules and Regulations.

N. "Revoked" Status: The board at its discretion may place a license on revoked status which indicates that a license has been nullified. This status results from actions taken under Chapter 8 of these Rules and Regulations.

Notes

30 Miss. Code. R. 2501-6.1

Miss Code Ann.§ 73-67-15(1) (m) (iii), as amended; § 73-67-17(g), as amended

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