SECTION 117.40. Massage Therapy Instructor--General Requirements and Application

(a) A licensed massage therapy instructor shall instruct the 125 hours of Swedish massage therapy, any other instruction in massage techniques or manipulation of soft tissue, and the internship portion of the required course of instruction.

(b) To qualify for massage therapy instructor license, a person shall:

(1) be a licensed massage therapist;

(2) have a high school diploma, a general equivalence diploma (GED) or a transcript from an accredited college or university showing successful completion of at least twelve (12) semester hours;

(3) submit a statement of assurance that the licensee has been engaged in the practice of massage therapy for at least one year and has conducted 500 hours of hands-on experience (does not include internship hours);

(4) complete a 30-hour course on teaching adult learners. Courses attended may include an instructional certification program, a college level course in teaching adult learners, a continuing education course in teaching adult learners, or an advanced program approved by the department in teaching the course of instruction;

(5) submit a completed application on a department-approved form;

(6) pay the required fee under §117.100; and

(7) successfully pass a criminal history background check performed by the department.

(c) Persons qualified to instruct courses other than massage therapy technique or manipulation of soft tissue courses are not required to hold a massage therapy instructor license. These persons must hold:

(1) a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university that includes:

(A) satisfactory completion of nine (9) semester hours or twelve (12) quarter hours in subjects related to the subject area to be taught; or

(B) a minimum of one year of practical experience within the last ten (10) years in the subject area to be taught; or

(2) an associate degree from an accredited college, university, or recognized post-secondary institution and must have:

(A) a minimum of one year of practical experience within the last ten years in the subject area to be taught and the associate degree must include satisfactory completion of nine (9) semester hours or twelve (12) quarter credit hours in subjects related to the subject area to be taught; or

(B) a minimum of two (2) years of practical experience within the last ten (10) years in the subject area to be taught; or

(3) a high school diploma, GED, or proof of satisfactory completion of relevant subject(s) from a recognized post-secondary institution and practical experience of a minimum of two years within the last ten years in the subject area to be taught.

(d) Instructors teaching CPR or First Aid must be certified as CPR instructors or First Aid instructors by:

(1) the American Heart Association;

(2) the American Red Cross;

(3) the National Safety Council; or

(4) another provider with curriculum that is in compliance with nationally accepted guidelines established by the above referenced organizations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §117.40 adopted to be effective November 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 4991; amended to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2406; amended to be effective February 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 543