S.B. No. 1130
AN ACT
relating to the provision of certain massage therapy instruction
using distance learning.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 455.156, Occupations Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(b) An applicant for a license under this section must be an
individual and:
(1) present evidence satisfactory to the department
that the person has satisfactorily completed massage therapy
studies in a 500-hour minimum, supervised course of instruction in
a manner provided by Subsection (c) [provided by a massage therapy
instructor at a massage school, a licensed massage school, a
state-approved educational institution, or any combination of
instructors or schools], in which at least:
(A) 200 hours are taught by a licensed massage
therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy
techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft
tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish
massage therapy techniques;
(B) 50 hours are dedicated to the study of
anatomy;
(C) 25 hours are dedicated to the study of
physiology;
(D) 50 hours are dedicated to the study of
kinesiology;
(E) 40 hours are dedicated to the study of
pathology;
(F) 20 hours are dedicated to the study of
hydrotherapy;
(G) 45 hours are dedicated to the study of
massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and
professional ethics standards;
(H) 20 hours are dedicated to the study of
health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and
(I) 50 hours are spent in an internship program;
(2) pass the required examinations; and
(3) be at least 18 years of age.
(c) The hours of instruction required by Subsection (b) must
be provided by a massage therapy instructor at a massage school,
licensed massage school, state-approved educational institution,
or any combination of instructors or schools. The hours of
instruction required by Subsections (b)(1)(B)-(H) may be provided
using distance learning. Distance learning is not limited to live
instruction.
SECTION 2. An applicant for a massage therapist license may
satisfy the requirements of Sections 455.156(b)(1)(B)-(H),
Occupations Code, using distance learning as provided by Section
455.156(c), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, regardless of
whether the application is submitted before, on, or after the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules necessary
to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1130 passed the Senate on
April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1130 passed the House on
May 11, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 9, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor