DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
MASSAGE THERAPY - GENERAL RULES  
Filed with the secretary of state on November 21, 2022  
These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted  
under section 33, 44, or 45a(9) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306,  
MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become effective 7  
days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory affairs  
by sections 16145, 16148, 16287, 17959, 17961, 17963, and 17965 of the public health code,  
1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16287, 333.17959, 333.17961, 333.17963,  
and 333.17965, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-  
4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)  
R 338.732, 338.735, R 338.736, R 338.737, R 338.738, and R 338.739 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code are amended, as follows:  
PART 3. LICENSURE  
R 338.732 Training standards for identifying victims of human trafficking; requirements.  
Rule 32. (1) Pursuant to sections 16148 and 17060 of the code, MCL 333.16148 and  
333.17060, an individual who is licensed or seeking licensure shall have completed training  
in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the following standards:  
(a) Training content that covers all of the following:  
(i) Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in the United States.  
(ii) Identifying victims of human trafficking in health care settings.  
(iii) Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in health care settings for adults  
and minors.  
(iv) Identifying resources for reporting the suspected victims of human trafficking.  
(b) Acceptable providers or methods of training include any of the following:  
(i) Training offered by a nationally recognized or state-recognized health-related  
organization.  
(ii) Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.  
(iii) Training obtained in an educational program that has been approved by the board for  
initial licensure, or by a college or university.  
(iv) Reading an article related to the identification of victims of human trafficking that  
meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subrule and is published in a peer-review  
journal, health care journal, or professional or scientific journal.  
(c) Acceptable modalities of training include any of the following:  
(i) Teleconference or webinar.  
(ii) Online presentation.  
March 2, 2022  
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(iii) Live presentation.  
(iv) Printed or electronic media.  
(2) The department may select and audit a sample of individuals and request documentation  
of proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, an individual shall provide  
an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of the following:  
(a) Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the date,  
provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.  
(b) A self-certification statement by an individual. The certification statement must include  
the individual’s name and either of the following:  
(i) For training completed pursuant to subrule (1)(b)(i) to (iii) of this rule, the date,  
training provider name, and name of training.  
(ii) For training completed pursuant to subrule (1)(b)(iv) of this rule, the title of article,  
author, publication name of the peer-review journal, health care journal, or professional or  
scientific journal, and date, volume, and issue of publication, as applicable.  
R 338.735 Initial licensure; requirements.  
Rule 35. An applicant for a massage therapist license by examination shall submit the  
required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the department. In addition  
to satisfying the requirements of the code and the rules promulgated under the code, the  
applicant shall satisfy both of the following requirements:  
(a) Have successfully completed a supervised curriculum that satisfies the requirements in R  
338.722 or R 338.722a, as applicable.  
(b) Pass an examination required under R 338.734.  
R 338.736 Foreign-trained applicants; licensure; requirements.  
Rule 36. An applicant for a massage therapist license who completed a massage therapy  
curriculum outside of the United States shall submit the required fee and a completed  
application on a form provided by the department. In addition to satisfying the requirements  
of the code and the rules promulgated under the code, the applicant shall satisfy both of the  
following requirements:  
(a) Have successfully completed a massage therapy curriculum that is substantially  
equivalent to a supervised curriculum that meets the requirements in R 338.722 or R  
338.722a, as applicable. Evidence of having completed a massage therapy curriculum that is  
substantially equivalent to a supervised curriculum includes an evaluation of the applicant’s  
education by a recognized and accredited credential evaluation agency that is a member of  
the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.  
(b) Pass an examination required under R 338.734.  
R 338.737 Licensure by endorsement; requirements.  
Rule 37. An applicant for a license by endorsement, pursuant to section 17959(2) of the  
code, MCL 333.17959, shall hold an active massage therapist license in good standing in  
another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province at the time of application. In  
addition to meeting the requirements of the code and the administrative rules promulgated  
under the code, the applicant shall submit a completed application on a form provided by the  
department together with the required fee and shall satisfy all of the following requirements  
as noted by (√) below:  
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Licensed for less than 3  
years.  
Licensed 3 years or more.  
(a)  
Establish that he or she is  
of good moral character  
as defined and  
√
√
determined under 1974  
PA 381, MCL 338.41 to  
338.47.  
(b)  
(c)  
Establish that he or she is  
at least 18 years of age.  
√
√
√
√
Submit fingerprints as  
required under section  
16174(3) of the code,  
MCL 333.16174.  
(d)  
Have satisfied 1 of the  
following requirements:  
(i) Have successfully  
completed a supervised  
curriculum that satisfies  
the requirements in R  
338.722 or R 338.722a,  
as applicable.  
√
(ii) Have provided  
evidence that the  
applicant has completed  
a massage therapy  
curriculum that is  
substantially equivalent  
to a supervised  
curriculum that meets the  
requirements in R  
338.722 or R 338.722a,  
as applicable. Evidence  
of having completed a  
massage therapy  
curriculum that is  
substantially equivalent  
to a supervised  
curriculum includes an  
evaluation of the  
applicant’s education by  
a recognized and  
accredited credential  
evaluation agency that is  
a member of the National  
4
Association of Credential  
Evaluation Services.  
Achieve a passing score  
on an examination  
adopted under R  
338.734.  
Comply with both of the  
following:  
(e)  
(f)  
√
√
√
(i) Disclose each  
license, registration, or  
certification in a health  
profession or specialty  
issued by another state,  
the United States  
military, the federal  
government, or another  
country on the  
application form.  
(ii) Satisfy the  
requirements of section  
16174(2) of the code,  
MCL 333.16174,  
including verification  
from the issuing entity  
showing that disciplinary  
proceedings are not  
pending against the  
applicant and sanctions  
are not in force at the  
time of application.  
R 338.738 Relicensure.  
Rule 38. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed may be relicensed under section  
16201(3) or (4) of the code, MCL 333.16201, as applicable, if the applicant meets the  
requirements of the code, the administrative rules promulgated under the code, and satisfies  
the following requirements as noted by a (√) below:  
(a) For a massage therapist who has let his or  
her Michigan license lapse and is not  
currently licensed in another state, country,  
jurisdiction, territory, or province:  
Lapsed  
less than  
3 years  
Lapsed 3  
years but less  
than 7 years  
Lapsed 7  
years or more  
Submit a completed application on a  
√
√
√
√
√
√
(i)  
form provided by the department,  
together with the required fee.  
Establish that he or she is of good  
moral character as defined and  
determined under 1974 PA 381,  
(ii)  
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MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
Submit fingerprints as required  
under section 16174(3) of the code,  
MCL 333.16174.  
Submit proof of having completed  
18 hours of continuing education that  
satisfy the requirements of R  
338.739 and R 338.741 in courses  
and programs approved by the board  
and earned within the 3-year period  
immediately preceding the  
√
√
√
√
(iii)  
(iv)  
√
application for relicensure.  
Pass the examination approved  
pursuant to R 338.734 within the 3-  
year period immediately preceding  
the application for relicensure.  
An applicant who is or has ever been  
licensed, registered, or certified in a  
health profession or specialty by  
another state, the United States  
military, the federal government, or  
another country, shall do both of the  
following:  
√
√
(v)  
√
√
(vi)  
(A) Disclose each license,  
registration, or certification on the  
application form.  
(B) Satisfy the requirements of  
section 16174(2) of the code, MCL  
333.16174, including verification  
from the issuing entity showing that  
disciplinary proceedings are not  
pending against the applicant and  
sanctions are not in force at the time  
of application.  
(b) For a massage therapist who has let his or  
her Michigan license lapse and is currently  
licensed in another state, country,  
Lapsed  
less than  
3 years  
Lapsed 3  
years but less years or more  
than 7 years  
Lapsed 7  
jurisdiction, territory, or province:  
Submit a completed application on a  
√
√
√
√
√
√
(i)  
form provided by the department,  
together with the required fee.  
Establish that he or she is of good  
moral character as defined and  
determined under 1974 PA 381,  
MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
(ii)  
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Submit fingerprints as required  
under section 16174(3) of the code,  
MCL 333.16174.  
Submit proof of having completed 18  
hours of continuing education that  
satisfy the requirements of R  
338.739 and R 338.741 in courses  
and programs approved by the board  
and earned within the 3-year period  
immediately preceding the  
√
√
√
(iii)  
(iv)  
√
√
√
application for relicensure.  
An applicant who is or has ever been  
licensed, registered, or certified in a  
health profession or specialty by  
another state, the United States  
military, the federal government, or  
another country, shall do both of the  
following:  
√
√
(v)  
(A) Disclose each license,  
registration, or certification on the  
application form.  
(B) Satisfy the requirements of  
section 16174(2) of the code, MCL  
333.16174, including verification  
from the issuing entity showing that  
disciplinary proceedings are not  
pending against the applicant and  
sanctions are not in force at the time  
of application.  
(2) If relicensure is granted and it is determined that a sanction has been imposed by  
another state, the United States military, the federal government, or another country, the  
disciplinary subcommittee may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of the  
code, MCL 333.16174.  
R 338.739 License renewals; massage therapist; requirements; applicability.  
Rule 39. (1) An applicant for license renewal shall satisfy the requirements of R 338.7001  
to R 338.7005, and shall accumulate not less than 18 hours of continuing education in  
activities approved by the board under these rules during each license cycle.  
(2) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of  
compliance with the requirements of this rule. A licensee shall retain documentation of  
meeting the requirements of this rule for a period of 5 years from the date of application for  
license renewal. Failure to comply with this rule is a violation of section 16221(h) of the  
code, MCL 333.16221.  
(3) The requirements of this rule do not apply if a licensee has been licensed for less than 3  
years.  
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(4) A request for a waiver pursuant to section 16205 of the code, MCL 333.16205, must be  
received by the department before the expiration date of the license.  
(5) The department may select and audit a sample of licensees who have renewed their  
licenses and request proof of compliance with subrule (1) of this rule.  
;