A quick note and distinction between an MTI and a CE provider. The CE Provider authorizes a person to issue the CE certificate and teach acceptable subjects that they are qualified to teach per the rules (e.g., a CPA could hold the CE Provider and teach business for MTs). The MTI authorizes an MT to teach massage therapy technique – at a school, by teaching massage and supervising internship or teaching CE on massage technique for the school; or as CE on massage technique independent of a school if he/she also holds the CE Provider license.
Texas’s TDLR CE provider instructions
Instructor Requirements
• Massage therapy techniques and courses involving the manipulation of soft tissue must be taught or presented by a licensed massage therapy instructor.
• Advanced massage therapy or bodywork techniques must be taught or presented by persons with licensure, registration or education in the technique being presented.
• Courses, other than techniques, may be taught or presented by persons with licensure, registration, education or practical experience in the subject being presented.
Curriculum Requirements
Acceptable Course Curriculum
Acceptable continuing education includes attendance and completion of courses that are directly related to the theory or clinical application of theory pertaining to the following:
• Practice of massage therapy
• The manipulation of soft tissue
• Massage therapy laws and rules
• Business practices
• Professional ethics
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Hydrotherapy
• Kinesiology
• Pathology
• Health and hygiene
Courses must be designed to increase and enhance professional knowledge, skills or competence and be provided by a TDLR-approved provider or one of these recognized continuing education providers:
• Institutes
• Seminars
• Workshops
• State or national conferences
• Advanced coursework
• College and university academic courses
Bodywork Classes
Most massage and bodywork modalities are acceptable, provided the sponsor is acceptable. Unacceptable modalities would include activities which are not part of providing a massage (e.g. ear candling) or that require another license (e.g. chiropractic adjustments).
Energy Work Classes
Most energy work classes are acceptable, provided the sponsor is acceptable. They must be designed to enhance the provision of massage, and they may not involve any false or misleading health claims (e.g., claiming to cure or treat diseases).
Exercise or Movement Classes
Yoga, martial arts, and exercise classes are not acceptable unless they are specifically designed as self-care for massage therapists.
First Aid or CPR
Courses in first aid and/or CPR will be accepted if the course is taught or presented by a certified First Aid Instructor or certified CPR instructor who was certified by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or National Safety Council. Courses cannot exceed six hours total each renewal period.
Unacceptable Course Curriculum
The department shall not give continuing education credit for the following:
• Education incidental to the regular professional activities of a massage therapist, such as learning occurring from experience or research
• Professional organizational activity, such as serving on committees or councils or as an officer in a professional organization
• College academic courses which are audited or not taken for credit
• Independent study, except online or correspondence courses in accordance with the acceptable continuing education requirements of this subchapter
• Any experience that does not comply with the approved continuing education in §117.31 of the Massage Therapy Administrative Rules.
Pre-Approval of Course Curriculum
The department does not pre-approve CE programs. Please consult the Acceptable Course Curriculum section and the Massage Therapy Administrative Rules to determine whether or not the program is acceptable. If the sponsor, content, and certificate are acceptable, you may use that program for continuing education toward license renewal.
All licensed massage therapy schools are also approved to provide continuing education and may issue either continuing education certificates or transcripts showing advanced course work (as described in the rules, §117.60. Massage School Advanced Course Work).
Student Attendance Records
Approved providers are required to maintain attendance records of all continuing education activities for a period of 5 years.
An approved provider must also issue a certificate of attendance to each participant in a course program. The certificate of attendance shall contain:
1. The name of the approved provider and approval number
2. The name of the participant
3. The title of the program
4. The number of credit hours given
5. The subject(s) included in the program
6. The date and place of the program
7. The signature of the approved provider
The department may audit approved providers for compliance with the Massage Therapy Administrative Rules.
Renewal of Approval
Continuing education providers will receive a renewal notice via email and regular mail at their address of record prior to their approval expiration date. Providers must return the renewal notice along with the designated fee before the approval expiration date.
Provider renewals postmarked after the expiration date will not be able to renew and will be required to submit a new application for CE provider approval.
If you do not receive a renewal notice, please contact TDLR at https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/csgeneralinquiry.
