Melissa Miller
Executive Secretary
217 W. Missouri Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3440
Fax: 605-773-7175
massagetherapy@state.sd.us
36-35-1. Definitions.
Terms in this chapter mean:
(1) “Board,” the Board of Massage Therapy;
(2) “Licensee,” a person who meets the qualifications for licensure pursuant to this chapter and holds a valid license to practice massage therapy;
(3) “Massage,” the systematic mobilization of the soft tissues of the body through the application of hands, feet, or devices for the purposes of therapy, relaxation, or education through means which include:
(a) Pressure, friction, stroking, rocking, kneading, percussion, compression, or stretching;
(b) External application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, or other topical agents; or
(c) The use of devices that mimic or enhance the actions of human hands or feet; and
(4) “Practice of massage therapy,” the performance of massage for a fee or other compensation or holding oneself out to the public as performing massage.
36-35-8. Display of license–Proof of licensure.
Any person engaged in the practice of massage in this state shall conspicuously display a valid license from the board in the licensee’s regular place of business. If the licensee is providing massage therapy outside of the licensee’s regular place of business, the licensee shall, upon request, produce photo identification and proof of licensure. Failure to comply with this section is a petty offense.
36-35-10. Practice of massage without license or employment of unlicensed person as misdemeanor.
Any person who engages in the practice of massage or holds himself or herself out to the public as engaged in the practice of massage without a license issued pursuant to this chapter, or owns, operates or manages a business which knowingly employs or contracts with any unlicensed person to offer or provide massage therapy, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The board may bring a civil action to enjoin any violation of this chapter.
36-35-19. Continuing education requirements.
Any person licensed under this chapter shall complete eight hours of continuing education relating to competence in the practice of massage on a biennial basis of a type and from a facility or instructor approved by the board. The required continuing education hours may be obtained by electronic means. The board may waive the continuing education requirement upon proof of illness or hardship.
20:76:03:04. Qualifying activities. Qualifying continuing eduation is any course with a clear purpose and objective which maintains, improves, or expands the skills and knowledge relevant to massage therapy of the human body. Qualifying continuing education must meet the definition of massage therapy pursuant to § 36-35-1(3) or be education presented by an approved provider of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, American Medical Massage Association, or Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. College courses used to meet continuing education requirements must not replicate courses submitted by the licensee to meet the required licensing coursework. An academic semester credit equals 15 continuing education hours and a quarter credit equals 10 continuing education hours.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or another course deemed equivalent by the board is qualifying continuing education for up to four hours in each continuing education cycle. In person attendance of a board meeting is qualifying continuing education for up to two hours in each continuing education cycle. No other qualifying continuing education may be repeated in consecutive continuing education cycles.
20:76:08:01. Recognized facilities. The board may license an applicant who has completed the training required by § 20:76:01:06 from the following South Dakota facilities:
(1) Black Hills Health & Education Center;
(2) Headlines Academy;
(3) National American University;
(4) Pam’s Massage School;
(5) South Dakota School of Massage Therapy;
(6) Sioux Falls Therapeutic Massage & Education Center; and