Massage Therapy

Massage therapy means the manipulation of soft tissue by hand or through a mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage. The term includes effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, vibration, friction, nerve strokes, and Swedish gymnastics. Massage therapy may include the use of oil, lubricant, salt glows, heat lamps, hot and cold packs, or tub, shower, jacuzzi, sauna, steam or cabinet baths. Massage therapy is a health care service when the massage is for therapeutic purposes, and a licensed massage therapist may receive referrals from a physician to administer massage therapy.

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News and Updates

Fingerprint Information

July 18, 2023

Fingerprints provided for YOUR TDLR application shall be used to check criminal history records of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in accordance with applicable statutes.

NOTE: Do NOT schedule an appointment for fingerprinting until after you have filed your license application. All the information you need to schedule your fingerprint appointment will be sent to you after you apply.

FINGERPRINTS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO DPS: The DPS has entered into an exclusive contract with IDEMIA to provide statewide electronic fingerprinting through DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) locations operated by IdentoGO. FAST is available by scheduling an appointment on-line at IdentoGO or by calling

1-888-467-2080. DPS FAST locations operated by IdentoGO are committed to a 98% classifiable rate, which means quality prints, less rejections, and quick responses.

1. Scheduling your fingerprint appointment

FAST is available by scheduling an appointment on-line at IdentoGO or by calling 1-888-467-2080.

When Scheduling Online:

1. Have the Texas Fingerprint Service Code. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
2. Select Schedule or Manage Appointment and follow the prompts to enter “Essential Info” on the initial registration page.
3. Next, you will be asked to enter your “Agency Assigned Applicant Number.” This Agency Identifier is your unique TDLR Entity/ID Number. You must enter “LS-” before typing your TDLR Entity/ID Number.

   If you are applying for a license for the first time, you can obtain your TDLR Entity/ID Number:

   • in the body of the email you received after you submitted your application through the Online Licensing Services system;
   • on the Request for Information letter that you receive to notify you that you must complete the fingerprinting process; or
   • by contacting TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.

   If you are already licensed and need to resubmit your fingerprints, you can obtain your TDLR Entity/ID Number:

   • in the body of the email you received after you renewed through the Online Licensing Services system;
   • on your renewal notice postcard sent to you 30 days prior to your license expiration; or
   • by contacting TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
     
     
4. Complete all other personal identifying information as instructed.
5. Select the location nearest to you and a convenient date and

When Scheduling Over the Phone:

1. Have the Texas Fingerprint Service Code before calling. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
2. IDEMIA will prompt you for the service code.
3. The call center operator will ask you for your demographic information, i.e. Date of Birth, Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Height, Weight, Eye Color, Hair Color, Place of Birth and Home Address.
4. You will be asked for your Agency Identifier as part of the registration process. This Agency Identifier is your unique TDLR Entity/ID Number. Please see item (c) above in the “When Scheduling Online” section regarding where to locate your Agency Assigned Applicant Number.
5. You will select the location nearest to you for your fingerprint appointment.

2. Your Fingerprint Appointment:

1. Arrive at your scheduled appointment with your photo identification and fee payment.
2. If you plan on bringing a form of identification other than a valid (unexpired) TX Driver License, please refer to the Department of Public Safety’s acceptable document types here:
   http://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/crime_records/docs/ProveIdForFingerprinting.pdf
3. IDEMIA accepts Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express, business checks, money orders and coupon codes (employer accounts) at the time of service. Please note that personal checks and cash will not be accepted.
4. Your fingerprints will be submitted electronically to DPS and the FBI. You will not receive a printed fingerprint card.
5. At the conclusion of your appointment, the IDEMIA enrollment agent will provide you with an IdentoGO receipt stating that you were fingerprinted. Do not throw away the receipt. You may be asked to submit it to TDLR for record location purposes.
6. You may check status on your submission by clicking on this link: IdentoGO

FINGERPRINTS SUBMITTED BY MAIL THROUGH IDEMIA:

Contact IDEMIA by telephone to submit fingerprints by mail.

Telephone Registration:

1. Contact IDEMIA at 1-888-467-2080.
2. Have the TX Fingerprint Service Code before you call. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
3. IDEMIA will prompt you for the Service Code.
4. Inform the IDEMIA representative that you wish to enroll for a card by mail.
5. IDEMIA will prompt you for all required information and will guide you through the rest of the process.

PAY BY CREDIT CARD, BUSINESS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:

During your registration, you will be provided an opportunity to make your payment by credit card or to elect to mail in your payment by business check or money order made out to IDEMIA with your submission.

No personal checks will be accepted.

The cost for obtaining an ink card may vary and is not included in the fingerprint registration process or fee.

Cards must be mailed to the vendor.

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2023 Edition

June 23, 2023

Articles in the June 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• New Fingerprints May Be Required For Some Licensees
• New Opioid CME Requirements For Prescribers
• Laser Hair Removal Penalty Matrix Adopted
• Texas Massage Therapist Exam Now Available In Simplified Chinese

Texas Massage Therapist Exam Now Available in Simplified Chinese

June 2, 2023

Effective June 1, 2023, TDLR will begin offering the Texas Massage Therapy Examination in an additional language, Simplified Chinese.

For more information on this offering, please review the Candidate information Bulletin (CIB) in simplified Chinese on our examination webpage. The CIB provides candidates with information on how to schedule, request accommodations and take the examination. It also provides information regarding the content (topics) of the examination, the passing score required, reference materials the examination uses, and much more.

Additional Testing Option Now Available For Massage Therapy Applicants

February 13, 2023

Massage therapist applicants now have a second testing method they can choose for licensure: the State of Texas Massage Therapist Exam.

The TDLR Texas Massage Therapist Examination is administered by TDLR vendor PSI. Applicants who take the TDLR State of Texas-administered exam will not have to sit for the Texas jurisprudence exam because the law and rules topics are part of the examination.

Applicants can still choose to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX), which is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).

We are pleased to offer an additional testing option for massage therapy applicants.

New Massage Consultation Document Available

May 2, 2022

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has released a revised Massage Consultation Document (PDF) for use by Massage Therapists in Texas. The new document includes recent rule changes that took effect January 1, 2022.

The Texas Massage Therapy rules specify when a consultation document must be provided and include guidelines to help ensure the protection and safety of the client and massage therapist:

• The client or massage therapist may end the massage session if they feel uncomfortable for any reason; and
• The massage therapist must immediately end the massage session if a client initiates any verbal or physical contact that is sexual in nature.

Use the checklist provided in the sample document to ensure that your consultation document meets all current TDLR requirements. Failure to use a consultation document that meets current requirements and in the manner prescribed may result in disciplinary action against you.

For questions, please contact TDLR via webform at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/help.

Beware Of People Posing As TDLR Inspectors

April 26, 2022

Inspectors for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will never request or accept money under any circumstances while calling, visiting or conducting an inspection.

Real TDLR inspectors will:

• introduce themselves;
• show their State of Texas employee ID card;
• provide their contact information upon request; and
• provide their TDLR business card upon request.

Real TDLR inspectors cannot and will not:

• accept payment for license fees;
• request money for violations; or
• charge for inspections.

If someone posing as a TDLR employee approaches or calls you, please contact TDLR and law enforcement immediately. Impersonating a public servant is a third-degree felony in Texas.

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Massage Therapy Schools and Distance Education

March 2, 2022

The new Massage Distance Education Request form (MAS124N) is now available on TDLR’s website.

Massage Therapy Schools wishing to begin or continue offering distance education must submit the request form. Once TDLR receives the form, a new certificate of approval will be issued that shows the school is approved to offer distance education.

Distance learning hours are limited to a maximum amount of 250 hours and are allowed only for theory hours. Topics which can be covered include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, laws and rules, business practices, professional ethics, health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and CPR. Schools can request to offer a portion of the hours, or the maximum amount of 250-hours as distance learning.

A minimum of 250-hours of in-person, hands-on instruction with a licensed massage therapist instructor is required for Swedish massage, massage techniques and all internship hours.

Schools must meet all of the requirements defined in 16 TAC 117.59(m) to offer distance learning. A current certificate of approval must be posted reflecting the approval to offer distance education for schools to be in compliance with 16 TAC 117.50 (k).

For questions, please contact the Education and Examination Division. Please submit the Massage Distance Education Request form via this web form.

New Human Trafficking Awareness Signs Required No Later Than January 1, 2022

November 9, 2021

Beginning January 1, 2022, all cosmetology businesses- including specialty salons, mobile salons, and schools– and all massage establishmentsand massage schoolsare required by Texas law to display a sign with information about available services and assistance to victims of human trafficking, including information on how to report suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The sign has information in five languages.

TDLR has created a sign for you to download and use:

Download the human trafficking sign

This requirement was put into place by the 87th Texas Legislature in 2021. Please download the sign and display it in your business. The sign must be placed in a prominent location where it can be seen by the public.

Background

House Bill 3721, which went into effect on September 1, 2021, requires all cosmetology businesses and massage establishments and schools to display a sign concerning services and assistance to victims of human trafficking. The signs, which had already been required, now must also include information on reporting suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The signs must be displayed no later than January 1, 2022.

More information on how to combat human trafficking:

• TDLR Human Trafficking webpage
• Office of the Attorney General
• National Human Trafficking Hotline

Reminder on Curriculum for All Massage Schools and Students

September 24, 2021

TDLR reminds all massage schools and students in Texas that curriculum must be offered in accordance with current state laws and rules found in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 455 and in 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 117. This includes requirements that curriculum be taught by a TDLR-licensed instructor at a TDLR-licensed massage school or a state-approved educational institution.

On May 28, 2021, Senate Bill 1130 was signed into law that allows massage schools to provide specific portions of the required curriculum using distance learning.

Rules are currently being discussed to implement this law change. You are encouraged to sign up for email updates to stay informed.

The current laws and rules can be found under the Law & Administrative Rules tab to the right.

Revised Massage Consultation Document Available

June 24, 2021

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has released a revised Massage Consultation Document for use by Massage Therapists in Texas.

Texas Massage Therapy rules require that massage therapists provide a consultation document:

• before the first massage therapy session;
• if the client’s reason for seeking massage therapy changes and any information in 16 TAC, Section 117.91(a)(1-4) is modified; and
• before each session in which breast massage will be performed unless written consent is received on a separate document.

Use the checklist provided in the document to ensure that your consultation document meets all current TDLR requirements. Failure to use a consultation document that meets current requirements and/or in the manner prescribed may result in disciplinary action against you.

For questions, please contact TDLR via webform at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/help.

Updated Guidance for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals

May 24, 2021

The Texas Department of State Health Services has released the following Updated Guidance for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals. https://open.texas.gov/

Please note that business owners may choose to require additional safety protocols related to COVID-19 safety.

Harassment of and Violence Toward Massage Therapists

May 3, 2021

Dear Massage Therapy Licensee,

We share your concern about recent and ongoing harassment of and violence toward massage therapists, including actions against Asian-American and Pacific Islander licensees… [continue reading]

Revised Checklists For Reopening Texas

March 10, 2021

Below are the revised guidelines created by the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas:

• Massage Personal Care Beauty Service Customers (PDF)
• Massage Personal Care Beauty Services (PDF)

Palms Enrollment Training Video

September 10, 2020

Effective September 1, 2020, all massage students enrolled in a licensed massage school are required to hold a student permit. PALMS is the portal that was created for massage schools to enroll, report hours and drop students.

These training videos provide step by step instructions to report student hours, drop / withdraw students and change student contact information.

Notice for All Schools and Educational Programs Licensed by TDLR

September 1, 2017

As of September 1, 2017, House Bill 1508 requires that all entities providing educational or instructional programs that prepare a student for an occupation or vocation requiring a TDLR license to:

1. Inform the student or program participant that eligibility for a TDLR license could be affected by the person’s criminal history;
2. Notify students and participants that TDLR is responsible for having in place guidelines regarding a license applicant's criminal history, and to include information on an applicant's ability to be licensed under those guidelines;
3. Provide students with information on other state or local restrictions that would affect the student’s eligibility for an occupational license issued by TDLR;
4. Inform students of the student's right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from TDLR;
5. Provide all persons who enroll in their program with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense.

An educational entity or training program operator who fails to provide this information to a person who is enrolled in their course may be liable for tuition or application fees paid by any student who is denied a TDLR license due to the existence of a criminal conviction.

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Advisory Board Meetings

September 11, 2023

The Massage Therapy Advisory Board met September 11, 2023 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel. Sharing of pre-recorded audio or video is not allowed during the public comment period. The agenda and staff reports are available online.