Definitions.

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.


(1) "Board" means the State Board of Massage Therapists.

(2) "Certified class" means a class that is approved by the board and is offered:

(a) By a person or institution licensed as a career school under ORS 345.010 to 345.450;

(b) By a community college and approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission;

(c) By an accredited college or university; or

(d) In another state and licensed or approved by the appropriate agency in that state.

(3) "Manual" means the use of the hands, feet or any other part of the body in the performance of massage.

(4)(a) "Massage," "massage therapy" or "bodywork" means the use of pressure, friction, stroking, tapping or kneading on the human body, or the use of vibration or stretching on the human body by manual or mechanical means or gymnastics, with or without appliances such as vibrators, infrared heat, sun lamps or external baths, and with or without lubricants such as salts, powders, liquids or creams, for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical condition.

(b) "Massage," "massage therapy" and "bodywork" do not include the use of high-velocity, short-amplitude manipulative thrusting procedures to the articulations of the spine or extremities.

(5)(a) "Massage facility" means a facility where a person engages in the practice of massage.

(b) "Massage facility" does not include:

(A) A career school licensed under ORS 345.010 to 345.450;

(B) An accredited college or university or a community college operated under ORS chapter 341; or

(C) A clinic or facility owned or operated by a person authorized to practice a profession by a health professional regulatory board, as defined in ORS 676.160.

(6) "Massage therapist" means a person licensed under ORS 687.011 to 687.250, 687.895 and 687.991 to practice massage.

(7) "Practice of massage" means the performance of massage:

(a) For purposes other than sexual contact, as defined in ORS 167.002 (5); and

(b) For compensation.

(8) "Preceptor" means a licensed massage therapist who contracts with an approved school or program of massage to provide direct on-site clinical supervision of a student enrolled in a certified class.

(9) "Supervision" means:

(a) The process of overseeing and directing the training of students enrolled in a certified class as set forth in the rules of the board;

(b) The process of overseeing and directing a licensee, or a person that has a permit to operate a massage facility, who is being disciplined by the board; or

(c) Voluntary consultation with, and education of, less experienced licensed massage therapists or practitioners in related fields.

(10) "Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct" means a behavior, practice or condition that is contrary to the ethical standards adopted by the board. [1955 c.492 §1; 1977 c.507 §1; 1979 c.89 §1; 1985 c.82 §1; 1987 c.158 §144; 1989 c.841 §1; 1993 c.45 §295; 1995 c.343 §60; 1997 c.626 §2; 1999 c.39 §9; 1999 c.537 §5; 2011 c.103 §1; 2013 c.409 §1; 2013 c.747 §183; 2015 c.491 §1]


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.