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Frequently Asked Questions
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS for LMTs and RMPs
Any LMT or RMP with an initial certificate or registration issued on or before October 31, 2009 is required to complete CEUs prior to October 31, 2010 as a qualification for renewal for the November 1, 2010 – October 31, 2012 cycle. Any LMT that completed a status change after their initial registration is not exempt from the CEU requirement. Any LMT or RMP with an initial certificate or registration issued November 1, 2009 through October 31, 2010 is exempt from the CEU requirements to qualify for renewal for the November 1, 2010 – October 31, 2012 cycle.
CEU requirements are found in COMAR .01 through .04. The CEU requirements are as follows:
a minimum of 3 CEU hours in professional ethics, jurisprudence, or risk management; a minimum of 3 CEU hours in communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS; and a minimum of 18 CEU hours in massage related courses.
The Board shall approve credit for any CEU course approved by the NCBTMB, any CEU course taught at an institution approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, or other CEU courses determined by the Board to meet professional standards and educational needs of massage therapists and practitioners. CEU courses that are not acceptable include courses outside the scope of practice for massage therapists/practitioners or courses dealing with insurance, practice building, or other money-making courses.
Individual certificate and registration holders must maintain their own CEU records. At the time of renewal you may be audited for CEUs — audited individuals will be notified with their renewal notices. If audited you must show proof of having completed the CEU requirements by providing copies of completion certificates to the Board. It is the responsibility of each massage therapist and practitioner to keep accurate records of attendance of approved continuing education programs. Completion certificates must be maintained for at least four years and must be presented to the Board on demand.
Any questions regarding CEU compliance should be directed to the Program Manager, Adrienne Congo , e-mail at or via phone at .
CONTINUING EDUCATION – Q&A
Q. Does the Board keep a list of approved continuing education courses and/or programs? How will I know if a CEU course/program is accepted by the Board?
A. No, the Board does not maintain a list of approved continuing education courses/programs. Regulations provide that acceptable CEU courses are approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), and courses determined and approved by the Board to meet professional standards of massage therapists and practitioners. Contact professional massage organizations as well as massage schools and community colleges that have massage programs to get a list of massage related CEU courses. Also, keep in mind that the subject or modality being taught must be within the scope of practice for LMTs and RMPs.
Q. Continuing Education Requirements require 3 hours in professional ethics or jurisprudence. Does that mean I can complete ethics, jurisprudence, or both?
A. Yes. You may complete a minimum of 3 hours of ethics or jurisprudence OR a combination of ethics and jurisprudence totaling at least 3 hours.
Q. If I completed more than 24 hours of continuing education courses in the 2006 – 2008 cycle, may I carryover those additional CEU hours to qualify for the 2010 – 2012 cycle?
A. No. To receive credit for a continuing education course/program it must be completed within the time frame of the renewal cycle. At the time of the 2010 renewal you will receive credit for a course completed between November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2010. The only exception to this requirement is a LMT or RMP with a current, valid NCBTMB certificate; however, circumstances vary. Please e-mail the Program Manager at for guidance.
Q. If I am audited and I have not completed all the CEU requirements may I practice on or after November 1, 2008 pending completion of the courses?
A. No, your renewed certification/registration will not be issued and you may not practice until you come into compliance and show proof of having completed the required CEUs. You may begin practicing again once the renewal certificate/registration is in your possession.
Q. Can I renew my certificate or registration as soon as I complete the 24 hours of continuing education?
A. No, renewal notices and applications will be mailed by the Board approximately mid-September 2010.
Q. Do home study/correspondence courses meet the continuing education requirement?
A. Yes, home study/correspondence courses approved by the NCBTMB are approved by the Board.
Q. Is national certification (through the NCBTMB or NCCAOM) required to renew my State of Maryland-issued license, certificate, or registration?
A. No, you do not need to maintain a current national certification as a qualification for renewal for your State of Maryland-issued license, certificate or registration.
Q. I am currently active, however I am choosing inactive status for the 2010 – 2012 cycle. Must I complete the CEU requirements?
A. No, any LMT or RMP that elects the inactive status is not required to complete the CEU requirements if the LMT/RMP remains in an inactive status. However, if the LMT/RMP wishes to reactivate to active status during the 2010 – 2012 cycle the LMT/RMP must show proof of having completed the required CEUs.
Q. I am currently inactive. Must I complete the CEU requirements to maintain my inactive status?
A. No, LMTs and RMPs who wish to remain in an inactive status are not required to complete the CEU requirements if the LMT/RMP remains in an inactive status. However, if the LMT/RMP wishes to reactivate to active status effective with the beginning of the next biennial cycle (November 1, 2010) the LMT/RMP must complete the required CEUs.
Q. Because of health/financial hardships I will not be able to complete the required CEU courses. Can I ask for an exemption, waiver, or extension?
A. Yes, a LMT/RMP must petition the Board in writing at least 90 days before the expiration date of their current certificate/registration. The Board will review the petition and respond in writing. Please note that the Board does not automatically grant a waiver, exemption, or extension.
Q. Can an instructor of a professional massage therapy course receive continuing education credit for teaching the massage course?
A. Yes. The Board determined that up to 25% of the required 24 hours of continuing education may be credited. This is a maximum of 6 hours. The course must meet Board approval guidelines and the instructor may not receive credit for teaching the same course more than once.
Q. Is the CPR certificate in addition to the 24 hours of required CEUs?
A. Completion of CPR programs does not count toward the required CEU hours. LMTs and RMPs must have a current, valid qualification in CPR at all times.
Q. Will the Board accept an on-line renewal of a CPR certificate?
A. Yes, the Board will accept on-line renewal of a CPR certificate provided that the on-line provider follows the CPR training model developed by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
Q. Is First Aid a requirement for renewal?
A. No, there is no requirement to hold and maintain a current qualification in First Aid to qualify for renewal.
Updated 2-1-10
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