Hawaii Massage Liability Insurance Guidelines
Massage liability insurance in Hawaii is a type of liability that covers a licensed practitioner from liability claims. Similar to malpractice insurance that doctors and nurses carry, it is important to have this insurance to protect you and your business from the potential of a significant financial burden due to a lawsuit. There are three main coverage areas:
• General Liability. This protects you from “slip and fall” type cases that can occur at your business location.
• Professional Liability. This is the malpractice portion of the insurance coverage and this covers claims due to negligence or error on your part as the professional.
• Products Liability. This protects you if a client claims injury or loss due to a product used during a therapeutic massage treatment.
While Hawaii currently does not require that you have this insurance, it is a wise idea to have it. Having this protection could mean the difference between staying in business or coming to financial ruin, losing everything.
Educational Requirements
The state of Hawaii has certain educational and practical requirements to become an MT. These include:
• 50 hours of in-class course in Anatomy and Physiology and Structural Kinesiology
• 100 Hours of in-class work on theory and demonstration of massage. These include:
– Proper procedure in massaging
– Hygiene
– Theory
– Record keeping
– Techniques for specific conditions
– Assessment of a client’s condition and the general techniques to be applied
– Draping
– Contraindications of massage for specific techniques according to the client’s conditions
• 420 Hours of practical massage therapy training. This can be done either:
– As a student in a licensed massage school that consists of at least 420 hours of practical massage training under the supervision of a teacher in the school setting, OR
– Practical massage training as an LMT’s apprentice under the Board’s massage therapist program consisting on course study for at least six months that consist of the following:
a. Clinical Operations (70 hours: 30 hours of office procedures, 20 hours of sanitation and 10 hours of record keeping)
b. Advanced techniques (40 hours; 20 hours of consulting, 20 hours of observation of classroom instructors) AND
c. Supervised hands on massage with record keep (310 hours) You must have a current CPR card for both infant and adults.
For training outside of Hawaii, you must provide proof of the successful completion of practical therapeutic massage training at an approved school. The school must have been approved or licensed by an education agency or similar governmental authority, an accredited degree granting institution or approved by the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA) or the Rolf institute. Apprenticeships outside of Hawaii are not accepted.
Licensing and Examinations
You will need to successfully complete the Hawaii state licensing examination. Out of state licenses will not be transferred to Hawaii, and you will need to apply for and meet the Hawaii professional massage practitioner licensure requirements. With all the time and effort invested into gaining your license, you want to protect it and your business. Getting LMT insurance in Hawaii is one way to protect not only your practice, but also your financial well-being.
Get insured today with MMIP by calling
1-800-222-1110
or click here to apply for insurance.
Licensing Info
Number of credentialed practitioners in this state: 6,841
Phone: (808) 586-3000
Web Site: http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/massage
Required Education: 570 hours
Written or Practical Exam: Written
Renewal Fee: $120 every 2 years
CEUs Required: 0
