Section 20.11. Minimum hour requirements for massage therapy programs

(a) Massage therapy programs must provide at least 600 hours of in-class, postsecondary education instruction, including:

(1) At least 175 contact hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology and pathology, including training in the human immunodeficiency virus and related risks.

(2) At least 250 contact hours in massage therapy and bodywork assessment, theory and practice including sanitation, safety and hygiene.

(3) At least 25 contact hours in professional ethics, and business and law related to a massage therapy business.

(4) At least 150 contact hours in related courses appropriate to a massage therapy curriculum as set forth in § 20.13 (related to required knowledge base), including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(b) Massage therapy programs may meet the 600-hour requirement through both didactic and clinical courses.

(c) Externship hours may not be included in the 600-hour minimum education instruction. For purposes of this section, an externship is an offsite practical technique learning experience where the student’s supervision is provided by a licensed massage therapist, supervisor or other appropriate licensed health professional.

(d) Hours for practicing assigned techniques under indirect supervision may not be included in the 600-hour minimum education instruction.