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Initial Licensing & Renewal
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COMAR 10.65.01.10 makes Continuing Education a requirement of renewal.
COMAR Chapter 5 outlines the specific CE requirements.
10.65.05.01 outlines the specific hours requirements as well as CPR.
10.65.05.02 defines which courses qualify for CE credits.
This section allows for some CE credit to be given for representing approved agencies at convention (D).
It also permits that courses may be taken live or online (E).
10.65.05.03 gives exception for initial licensees who are renewing after less than 1 year since receiving their license.
This section also allows for exceptions in cases of hardship (B) & (C).
10.65.05.04 (C) & (D) requires licensees to keep records of their continuing education for audits at renewal.
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All LMTs and RMPs must keep a valid CPR certificate at all times. First Aid is not required* for MTs in Maryland. CPR may be taken online, in-person, or hybrid.
For clarification on this issue, see the MBMTE’s Open Session Minutes from September 25th, 2024, page 2. In these minutes, the Board clearly states that it prefers CPR to be taken in-person.
10.65.05.01 provides the CPR requirements for license renewals.
From certain, non-verified channels, I have heard it is under consideration to require CPR to be taken in-person. Until and unless the Board issues an official change; online and hybrid courses are accepted.
*Your school may require First Aid as a prerequisite of graduation; so some students of massage therapy will be required to take First Aid as well, for their first certification. For therapists licensed only in Maryland, First Aid will not need to be renewed.
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You must take the Implicit Bias training before your first renewal, regardless of when your initial license was issued. That is, even if you are exempt from the CE requirements at your first renewal, you must still complete the Implicit Bias requirement.
For clarification on this issue, see the MBMTE’s Open Session Minutes from September 25th, 2024, page 2.
From certain, non-verified channels, I have heard it is under consideration to require Implicit Bias for all therapists at every renewal. Until and unless the Board issues an official change; it is only required at your first renewal.
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The Maryland Board requires 750 hours of education. They may consider licensed applicants with fewer hours, if they have accumulated 1,000 hours of hands-on practice.
For clarification on this issue, see the MBMTE’s Open Session Minutes from September 25th, 2024, page 2.
COMAR 10.65.01.07(C) describes the Board’s process for considering international applicants.
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The qualifications for conversion are listed at COMAR 10.65.01.06(F).
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6-306(a) describes the requirements for license reinstatement, which applies if the license is expired for less than 5 years. COMAR 10.65.01.11 provides additional details.
6-306(b) requires that a license which has been expired for more than 5 years cannot be reinstated, but the individual may apply for licensure anew. This is repeated at COMAR 10.65.01.11(B).
Section 6-504 states that for a period of 6 months after the expiration, LMTs and are protected from some of the punishments of unauthorized practice.
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A license can be placed on “inactive status” to avoid lapse. A license can be maintained ‘inactive’ for up to 5 years. After 5 years, the licensee would need to re-apply for licensure, meeting all the requirements in place at the time of re-application.
The requirements for inactive status are found at:
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RMP stands for Registered Massage Practitioner. LMT stands for Licensed Massage Therapist.
Up until 2024, the Board issued two different ‘classes’ of massage therapy license - the license and the registration. The significant difference in licensing was that, in order to receive an LMT, an applicant had to show some college credit hours in addition to their massage therapy education.
In 2022 the rules were changed to increase the massage therapy education requirements from 600 hours to 750 hours, and eliminate the RMP distinction as well as the college credit hours requirement. It took two years to phase in the change. As of September 30th, 2024, the Board no longer issues RMPs.
Existing RMPs are allowed to keep their status.
The difference between RMPs and LMTs in practice is that RMPs are not allowed to work in healthcare settings. The specifics of this can be found in a few places:
Responsibilities of Licensees
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You must notify the Board of any change to your legal name or address within 60 days of the change. See:
The penalty for failing to notify the board is $100:
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All LMTs and RMPs must display their license document in their place of work at all times. If your license is lost, damaged, destroyed, or you require a duplicate to keep in multiple working locations, you can request a duplicate license as described here:
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The Code of Ethics is found and elaborated in COMAR Chapter 3.
10.65.03.02 defines the boundaries of a sexual contact and sexually exploitative relationships.
10.65.03.03 establishes standards of practice that include your responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of your clients, to ensure that you practice unimpaired, act with integrity, honest, and within your scope of practice, and more.
10.65.03.04 defines boundaries for maintaining a professional therapist-client relationship, including your responsibilities when terminating a client relationship.
10.65.03.05 describes how you are responsible for maintaining professional boundaries, even if another person initiates inappropriate behavior. This section also prohibits LMTs and RMPs from developing sexual relationships with clients, among other things.
10.65.03.06 describes your record keeping and informed consent responsibilities.
10.65.03.07 requires you to practice within your scope and know your own limitations.
10.65.03.08 reminds you that even if a specific unethical conduct is not listed in these rules, you are still responsible for ethical behavior.
10.65.03.09 imposes a maximum penalty of $5,000 for ethical violations.
This list is a summary intended as a quick reference to help you locate specific rules. You will need to follow the links and become familiar with all of the details included in the legislation.
Recordkeeping
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10.65.03.04 describes a requirement for maintaining client records a minimum of 5 years.
10.65.03.06 describes your general requirements for keeping accurate and confidential records.
10.65.06.01 describes your general record-keeping requirements, and the minimum sufficient information you must record, including SOAP notes.
10.65.06.02 describes who is responsible for keeping and maintaining client records, responding to records requests
Health General Article 4-401 describes requirements for not deleting or obscuring records
Health General Article 4-403 describes requirements for keeping records for a minimum of 7 years.
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Most often when you receive records requests for your client files, these will be authorized requests. In other words, your client will have requested or signed the request for their own file. There is no confidentiality or ethical concern in complying with these requests. In fact, you are required to comply with these requests in a timely manner (See 10.65.06.02).
If you receive a request that is NOT authorized by your client, you are required to maintain your client’s confidentiality. That means you cannot disclose your client’s records — UNLESS it is required bylaw.
A subpoena is a document issued by a government agency, most often a court, to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure. A valid subpoena should be signed by a judge.
If you receive a subpoena, you are required by law to follow the instructions of the subpoena - to appear in court or to produce documentary evidence. This is one instance when you might make an unauthorized disclosure of client records, as required by law.
If you have questions or concerns about a subpoena or summons received, please contact an attorney.
Scope of Practice
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See The Annotated Code of Maryland §6-101-102 and reference §19–114 of the Health – General Article, which defines “healthcare setting”.
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Section 101(f)(1) - (2) describe the manual techniques that are included under the license. COMAR 10.65.01.04 provides further elaboration
Section 101(f)(3) excludes diagnosis of illness, disease, or injuries; manipulation of bony joints; and energy work, with caveats. COMAR 10.65.01.04(b)(7)(c) further elaborates.
Section 102 permits massage therapists who are also licensed in other modalities to continue to practice those other modalities as well.
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Section 6-401 establishes some general guidelines, and directs the Board to develop additional rules.
The specific rules can be found in COMAR Chapter 4.
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The rules of “reciprocity” are made by the state in which you would be working. So, the Maryland regulations speak to the ability of MTs licensed in other states to work in Maryland. If you want to know whether your Maryland license will be recognized in another state, refer to that state’s regulations or licensing Board.
The rules of Maryland reciprocity can be found at:
Business Practices
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If you incorporate (register) an LLC, Partnership, or Corporation, you will be required to choose a business name.
Sole proprietors are required to use their given legal name, unless they officaily register a Trade Name with the state.
Section 6-401 permits the use of a trade name with certain caveats.
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Section 6-401 establishes some general guidelines, and directs the Board to develop additional rules.
The specific rules can be found in COMAR Chapter 4.
Discipline & Enforcement
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COMAR Chapter 2 describes the process for Board hearings.
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6-306.1 requires all LMTs and RMPs to display licenses in their rooms
See also COMAR 10.65.01.08(D)
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The regulations that establish a requirement for licensure include:
Section 6-504 establishes maximum penalties for the unauthorized practice of massage therapy.
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Section 6-501 prohibits anyone from aiding or abetting the unauthorized practice of massage therapy.
Section 6-504(b) establishes maximum penalties for aiding and abetting.
The Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
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The Mission of the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners is to “regulate the practice of massage therapy to ensure standards of competency, protect public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Maryland.” The Board is responsible for the public’s health and safety. In order to ensure public safety, the Board regulates the licensed practice of massage therapy.
Section 6-206 outlines the authorities and responsibilities of the Board
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Section 6-202(a)(3) describes the process for appointment to the Board
Section 6-202(b) describes the qualifications for Board members
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Yes! Almost every month, the Board holds an Open Session, which anyone can attend. (Public attendees are usually not allowed to participate or ask questions during a meeting.)
Additionally, you can earn up to 3 CEs for your Ethics requirement for attending BOMTE meetings.
Meeting information for the upcoming meeting is always posted on the Board’s website.
Still have questions?
Ask your question here! I’ll do my best to respond right away - either directly to you or by adding your question to this list (and I’ll also send it directly to you).
As always, I cannot provide you with legal advice. If your question requires further investigation, I will do my best to initiate that, or to point you in the right direction.