32-4203. Board; powers and duties

A. The board shall:

1. Evaluate the qualifications of applicants for licensure.

2. Designate at least one national examination that it requires applicants to pass. The examination must be available to a graduating massage therapy or bodywork therapy student within ninety days before the student's expected graduation date. The board shall require that an examination be processed and the results returned to the board within thirty days after the examination is administered. If, within six months of the effective date of this amendment of this section, the testing agency administering the examination fails or is unable to comply with the requirements of this paragraph, the board shall designate another examination for applicants to pass.

3. Issue licenses to persons who meet the requirements of this chapter.

4. Regulate the practice of massage therapy by interpreting and enforcing this chapter.

5. Establish requirements for the education of licensees and applicants, including the identification of board recognized schools, continuing education programs and assessing the continuing competence of licensees.

6. Adopt rules for ethical and professional conduct to govern the practice of massage therapy in this state.

7. Adopt rules to enforce this chapter.

8. Meet at least once each quarter in compliance with the open meeting requirements of title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1 and keep an official record of these meetings.

9. At its first regular meeting after the start of each calendar year, elect officers from among its members as necessary to accomplish board business.

10. Provide for the timely orientation and training of new professional and public appointees to the board regarding board licensing and disciplinary procedures, this chapter, board rules and board procedures.

11. Maintain a current list of all licensees. This list shall include the licensee's name, current business address and telephone number and license number and shall be regularly accessible in electronic format to public officials and agencies to verify the license status of licensees in this state.

12. Enter into contracts for services necessary to enforce this chapter.

13. Publish, at least annually, or make available for copying or reproduction in any format, final disciplinary actions taken against a licensee.

B. The board may:

1. Accept and spend federal monies and private grants, gifts, contributions and devises to assist in carrying out the purposes of this chapter. These monies do not revert to the state general fund at the end of a fiscal year.

2. Administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence and require the production of documents, records or information, either kept in original form or electronically stored or recorded, or other items relevant to a matter within the jurisdiction of the board.

3. Require a criminal background check, including the fingerprinting of every applicant for licensure, to assist the board in determining whether grounds exist to deny a license.