(a) In order to be licensed as a massage therapist, the person seeking licensure shall:

(1) Furnish to the Department of Health satisfactory proof that he or she is eighteen (18) years of age or older and of good moral character;

(2) Make oath that he or she has not been convicted of, found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any offense that would constitute a felony or constitute the offense of prostitution, either in this state or the United States, and submit a signed authorization to investigate and have information released to the Department of Health;

(3) Present the following issued in the same name as the applicant or licensee:

(A) A valid photo identification or driver's license, or both; and

(B) A Social Security card;

(4)

(A) Present a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma approved by the Department of Career Education, or college transcript and credentials issued by a massage therapy school accepted by the Department of Health or a like institution with no less than five hundred (500) hours of in-classroom instruction.

(B) An applicant shall not submit his or her transcript directly to the Department of Health.

(C) An applicant shall request that the massage therapy school submit the transcript directly to the Department of Health.

(D)

(i) If the applicant's transcript is not obtainable from the original school, the applicant shall submit a statement to explain why the transcript may not be obtained.

(ii) Other documentation of credentials may be submitted and accepted for licensure at the discretion of the Department of Health;

(5) Furnish to the Department of Health satisfactory proof of passing an examination recognized and approved by the Department of Health;

(6) Present a negative test for tuberculosis that is current at the time of licensure; and

(7) Pay the specified fees, which shall accompany a completed notarized application to the Department of Health.

(b) Fees are as follows:

(1) Application fee ......................$75.00 Nonrefundable

(2) Original license fee ......................80.00

(3) Biennial renewal ......................80.00

(4) Examination fee or reexamination fee ......................25.00

(5) Duplicate license fee ......................10.00

(6) Pocket card fee not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00).

(c) A person shall not practice massage therapy until his or her official license has been received from the Department of Health.

(d) A person who attempts to procure or does procure a license in violation of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided for in § 17-86-103.