Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-830 - Massage therapists
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 246-830-005 - Definitions
Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
The definitions in this section apply throughout the chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Animal" means any species normally recognized as treatable by veterinary medicine.
(2) "Animal massage therapist" means an individual licensed to practice massage therapy under chapter 18.108 RCW with additional education and training in animal massage therapy as required under this chapter and holds the animal massage therapist endorsement required by RCW 18.108.230.
(3) "Apprentice" means an individual enrolled in an apprenticeship program, and who is held to the same standards as students in massage schools or massage programs.
(4) "Apprenticeship educator and trainer" means a massage therapist licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW with at least three current years of experience in full-time practice.
(5) "Apprenticeship program" means education and training in massage administered by an apprenticeship educator and trainer that satisfies the education and training requirements for massage set forth in this chapter.
(6) "Board" means the Washington state board of massage.
(7) "Breast massage" means the specific and deliberate manipulation of breast tissue pursuant to WAC 246-830-555. Massage of the surrounding chest and shoulder muscles such as massage of the intercostal, pectoral, or axillary muscles is not considered breast massage.
(8) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.
(9) "Direct supervision" means supervision by a faculty member who is a clinical supervisor of the massage school or massage program and is on the premises, in the student clinic and is readily available to students and clients or patients.
(10) "Evaluation" means the assessment of soft tissue in order to facilitate decision making regarding effective forms and techniques of massage, and identifying cautions and contraindications to ensure client or patient safety. Evaluation does not mean diagnosis.
(11) "Intraoral massage" means the manipulation or pressure of soft tissue inside the mouth or oral cavity for therapeutic purposes.
(12) "Linens" means sheets, blankets, towels, gowns, pillow cases, face cradle covers, and other nonimpervious fabrics used in the practice of massage.
(13) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, reflexology, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation. See WAC 246-830-550 for additional limitations on massage practice.
(14) "Massage business" means the operation of a business where massages are given.
(15) "Massage program" or "program" means education and training in massage therapy approved by the board. A massage program or program is an established area of study offered on a continuing basis.
(16) "Massage school" or "school" means an institution which has the sole purpose of offering education and training in massage therapy approved by the board.
(17) "Massage therapist" means an individual licensed as a massage therapist under chapter 18.108 RCW.
(18) "Massage transfer program" means a separate board approved program within a board approved massage program or school that allows the transfer program to accept credits and clock hours from massage schools, massage programs, colleges or universities that may not have been approved by the board, pursuant to WAC 246-830-037.
(19) "Perineum" means the tissues between the anus and scrotum or vulva.
(20) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health or the secretary's designee.
(21) "Student" means an individual currently enrolled in a massage school, massage program or apprenticeship program who is practicing massage solely for the purposes of education and training as part of their current course work and who is not receiving compensation for said practice.
Statutory Authority: RCW 18.108.230(5). 03-11-033, § 246-830-005, filed 5/15/03, effective 6/15/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.108.025(1) and 18.108.085(1)(a). 96-22-098, § 246-830-005, filed 11/6/96, effective 12/7/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.108.025(1). 95-11-108, § 246-830-005, filed 5/23/95, effective 6/23/95.
