For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the words, terms and phrases set forth in this section shall have the meanings given them in this section.
PERMIT — The permit to engage in the activities of a massage therapist as required by this chapter.
PERMIT ADMINISTRATOR — The Health Officer will be responsible for issuing, revoking and otherwise administering the permit program.
MASSAGE or MASSAGE THERAPY — The skillful application of touch to enhance health and well-being, in which soft tissue manipulation is primary.
MASSAGE THERAPIST or MASSAGE PROFESSIONAL — A health care practitioner who offers services to the public for compensation, using a massage specialty in caring for clients, and
has obtained a permit as required by this chapter. A person who has engaged in "disqualifying conduct" means a person who:
A. Within five years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application for an issuance of a permit under this chapter has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction in the commonwealth.
B. Any misdemeanor or felony offense which relates directly to the practice of massage therapy, whether as a massage business owner or operator, or as a massage technician or professional.
C. Any felony the commission of which occurred on the premises of a massage establishment.
D. Within five years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application for a permit under this chapter has had any massage establishment, operator, technician or trainee license or permit, which was issued by the State of Pennsylvania, or by any county or municipality, revoked.
E. Within five years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application for a permit under this chapter has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of:
(1) Any misdemeanor under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.A., Chapter 59.
(2) Any offense in a jurisdiction outside the State of Pennsylvania which is the equivalent of any of the aforesaid offenses.
RECOGNIZED SCHOOL OF MASSAGE - Any school or institution of learning which: teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession and work of massage therapy; requires a residence course of study before the student shall be furnished with a diploma or certificate of completion; and has been approved pursuant to Pennsylvania Statutes Title 24, §§ 18-1803 through 18-1841, or Pennsylvania State Code Title 22, Chapter 339, Vocational-Technical Education, §§ 339.1 through 339.62, or, if said school is not located in Pennsylvania, has complied with standards commensurate with those required in the aforementioned sections and has obtained certification under any similar state-approval program, if such exists. Transcripts from more than one recognized school can be combined to meet the educational standards required.
STATE OR NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY ORGANIZATION OR ASSOCIATION DEVOTED TO THE MASSAGE SPECIALTY AND HEALTH ENHANCEMENT APPROACH — An organization or association that has been determined by the permit administrator to meet each of the following requirements:
A. Requires a minimum of at least 600 hours of classroom instruction.
B. Offers and encourages participation in continuing education programs.
C. Has an established code of ethics and has enforcement procedures for the suspension and revocation of membership of persons violating the code of ethics.
D. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, age or sexual orientation.