§3555. Powers and duties of the board

A. The board shall:

(1) Regulate the practice of massage and bodywork in Louisiana by licensing massage therapists who meet the state's minimum standards of education. Among its functions, the board promulgates rules and regulations, issues and renews professional and establishment licenses, collects and assesses fees pursuant to R.S. 37:3562, inspects, investigates, and disciplines licensees, including both individuals and establishments, who violate the law, and imposes fines and penalties.

(2) Perform inspections and investigate persons who may be engaging in practices which violate provisions of this Chapter and impose fines and penalties.

(3) Maintain a complete record going back for a period of at least five years of all licensed massage therapists and annually prepare a roster of the names and addresses of all such licensees. A copy of this roster shall be made available to any person requesting it, upon payment of a fee set by the board in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of its publication and distribution.

(4) Adopt and revise rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act for the purpose of administering the provisions of this Chapter.

(5) Issue declaratory rulings interpreting the scope of practice of massage therapy, as that term is further defined in R.S. 37:3552(10).

B. The board may:

(1) Accept or deny entrance of any applicant applying for licensure.

(2) Establish continuing education requirements for license renewal.

Acts 1992, No. 753, §2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 605, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.