House Bill 923

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-67-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY MAY ACCEPT STATE ACCREDITED EXAMINATIONS APPROVED BY THE BOARD AS EVIDENCE OF COMPETENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LICENSURE AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-67-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-67-23. (1) The purpose of requiring examination is to determine that each applicant for registration possesses the minimum skills and knowledge to practice competently.

(2) The board shall accept as evidence of competency, in addition to all other requirements as stated in this chapter, the successful completion of the "National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork" (NCETMB) and/or any other state, nationally or internationally accredited examination approved by the board.

(3) Eligibility requirements to take the NCETMB are set by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as stated in the NCETMB candidate handbook. Eligibility to take the ABTE shall be determined by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as stated in the NCCAOM candidate handbook.

(4) An applicant for registration who has been previously registered may be required to take the NCETMB or ABTE or any other examination approved by the board and achieve a passing score before re-registration under any one (1) of the following circumstances:

(a) The applicant has been unregistered voluntarily for more than thirty-six (36) calendar months; or

(b) The board may require reexamination in any disciplinary order, based upon the findings and conclusions relative to the competency of a holder of a certificate of registration to practice massage before issuing an unconditional certificate of registration.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.