Maryland Massage Liability Insurance Guidelines
Typically, medical malpractice insurance has been reserved for doctors practicing advanced and intensive surgeries that are prone to mistakes. However, an ever-increasing number of trained medical doctors are purchasing liability insurance to protect themselves from being sued by a patient. Even for an LMT who does not perform life or death surgeries, liability insurance is still a requirement.
Insurance for massage practitioners in Maryland is available through a variety of private companies at a very affordable price. Despite the low risk of being sued as a bodyworker, it is better to be safe than sorry by spending a nominal amount per month on insurance. Even if the insurance proves unnecessary, your patients will be more at ease and comfortable knowing that you are licensed, insured and registered to practice massage in Maryland. Furthermore, having insurance is not an option in Maryland as the state requires that all therapists have liability coverage.
Massage therapy is the manipulation and movement of the tissues and joints of a patient’s body by hand. Consequently, because the therapist’s hands are constantly moving and touching the body damage to the person’s circulation, joints, tissues and muscles can occur. Consequently, massage practitioner insurance provides malpractice coverage for therapists with a variety of massage practices including sports, hot stone, deep tissue, Swedish, medical, therapeutic pregnancy.
Just like people can select from a variety of automobile and homeowners insurance policies, so too can therapists select from a multitude of insurance companies with various coverage levels. From slip and fall incidents to problems on the table, most touch therapist insurance policies include coverage for each occurrence, per aggregate, for commercial liability and product liability. The exact coverage is dependent on the insuring company and the plan selected.
Individuals in Maryland hoping to become a masseuse have two options: Licensed Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Practitioner. Both positions require a total of 500 classroom hours at an approved massage training school; however, a CMT must also have 60 hours of college courses. The additional educational requirement allows a CMT to perform massage treatments in nursing homes, walk-in clinics, doctors’ offices and hospitals. Individuals who become an RMT are only allowed to practice as a private business, a gym or health club, or a spa. Additionally, a CMT and RMT are required to pass one of three national exams to become licensed in Maryland. Each of three national tests covers a different type of therapeutic massage. The MBELx is taken by the majority of new therapists as it covers the basic principles of the practice. For more advanced therapy, the NCCAOM covers Acupuncture and Oriental medicine that allows the person to become certified in more advanced massage techniques.
Lastly, applicants can opt to take the NCETM/TMB test that examines all aspects of massage therapy from massage techniques to business ethics. Once the national test has been passed, LMTs must pass a Maryland state exam before beginning their career. The 55 multiple-choice question test covers the rules and regulations governing massage professionals in Maryland. The test must be completed in 90 minutes and applicants are required to receive a 75% or higher on their exam to become a certified massage therapist.
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Licensing Info
Number of credentialed practitioners in this state: 3,261
Phone: (410) 764-4738
Web Site: http://www.mdmassage.org
Required Education: 500 hours for RMP/500 hours plus 60 college credits for LMT
Written or Practical Exam: Written/Maryland Jurisprudence exam
Exam Administered: NCETMB or NCETM plus State Law Exam
Renewal Fee: $250 every 2 years (RMP); $276 every 2 years (LMT)
CEUs Required: 24 every 2 years (3 risk management/jurisprudence, 3 communicable diseases including HIV/AIDs and 18 massage modality related)
