Obtaining a massage therapy license in North Carolina is not an easy task. After you’ve dedicated so much time and resources to obtaining your license, it can be overwhelming to receive a complaint. When facing a complaint with the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy, you need a skilled North Carolina massage therapy license defense lawyer to represent your interests and safeguard your rights.
When facing the risk of losing your professional license, you need to hire a massage therapy license defense lawyer with a track record of representing clients before the State Licensing Boards. Massage therapy license defense strategies vary with the nature of the complaint that has been filed. At North State Law, we understand which defense strategies are available and how to present your case before the Board.
The field of massage therapy is steadily growing in North Carolina. To legally practice massage therapy in North Carolina, you must receive a license from the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy, which must be maintained for as long as you work as a massage therapist. Massage therapists manipulate soft tissues and joints to relieve pain and stress, promote healing, and enhance the general well-being of their clients. Maintaining proper Legal License requirements is essential for continuing to practice legally.
During 2024, there were 4,661 licensed massage therapists in North Carolina. With a projected job growth of 1.6%, it is estimated that 5,463 massage therapists could be licensed by 2034. The estimated number of annual job openings is currently 700.
If you work as a licensed massage therapist in North Carolina and have received notice that a complaint has been lodged against you, that complaint is heard by the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy. For regular complaints, the Board conducts the investigation, holds a disciplinary hearing, and issues sanctions if necessary.
If a complaint involves complex administrative law or is highly contested, the Board refers it to the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, where an Administrative Law Judge reviews it and issues a recommended decision. This decision is then sent back to the Board for a final review and recommendation.
Complaints can be filed for many reasons, but the most common types of complaints include:
Whatever the nature of the complaint, your North Carolina massage therapy license defense attorney can gather evidence to refute it and present your case to the Board.
To protect yourself from complaints, you should be proactive in documenting your client interactions before a complaint is filed. Massage therapists who remain calm and professional before the Board can present a more effective defense than those who argue or become defensive. Some common defense strategies to refute a complaint include the following:
No, you cannot work as a paid massage therapist in North Carolina without a proper license. To legally perform massage therapy work, you must hold a valid license issued by the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy.
Charging for massage therapy sessions without a license is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. To legally practice, you need to complete an appropriate educational training course, pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing examination, and pass a background check.
There are many things a massage therapist is not allowed to do. Massage therapists are legally prohibited from:
Prohibited acts include spinal manipulation, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and physical therapy. It is also illegal to offer massage therapy services in the same building as illicit activities. Violations involving the unauthorized practice of medicine may affect a Medical License and may also result in investigations or disciplinary action by the Medical Board. These violations may also impact professionals who hold or seek a Chiropractic License.
The time it takes to get a massage therapist license in North Carolina depends on the education course you choose. North Carolina massage therapy license laws require a total of 650 hours of educational training for entry-level massage therapists. Part-time courses take longer than full-time courses to complete. Once you finish your training, you must pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination before you can apply for your license.
You may transfer your massage therapist license from another state when moving to North Carolina if you meet the requirements. The North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy regulates licensure in the state. If you hold a license from another state, you may qualify for a license by endorsement if you meet the requirements of either Endorsement A or B. Both require documentation of your current credentials and education.
License renewal is required by December 21 of every even-numbered year, and it requires a minimum of 24 continuing educational hours to qualify for renewal. Continuing education requirements can be completed online for up to 12 hours, but the remaining 12 hours have to be completed in person, and a minimum of three hours must be in ethics. Only courses offered by approved providers count toward continuing education requirements.
At North State Law, we represent clients throughout North Carolina who are facing issues with their professional licensing. Our office is conveniently located near many of the state’s licensing boards and agencies. We understand that receiving a complaint can be stressful, but we can help you throughout the process. Contact North State Law today to schedule your initial consultation.
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