(1) Any person is qualified for licensure as a massage therapist under this act who:

(a) Is at least 18 years of age or has received a high school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma;

(b) Has completed a course of study at a board-approved massage school or has completed an apprenticeship program that meets standards adopted by the board; and

(c) Has received a passing grade on an examination administered by the department.

(2) Every person desiring to be examined for licensure as a massage therapist shall apply to the department in writing upon forms prepared and furnished by the department. Such applicants shall be subject to the provisions of s. 480.046(1). Applicants may take an examination administered by the department only upon meeting the requirements of this section as determined by the board.

(3) Upon an applicant's passing the examination and paying the initial licensure fee, the department shall issue to the applicant a license, valid until the next scheduled renewal date, to practice massage.

(4)

(a) The board may issue to an applicant, without examination, a provisional license to practice massage, provided such applicant meets all other conditions and requirements relating to qualification for licensure and submits a fee pursuant to s. 480.044. Such applicant for a provisional license shall be associated with a licensed massage therapist and shall practice only under the supervision of such licensed massage therapist at a licensed establishment.

(b) The provisional license, when granted, shall include the name and address of the licensed massage therapist with whom the applicant is associated. No licensed massage therapist may supervise more than one provisional licenseholder at the same time.

(c) The applicant must appear at the next examination for licensure for which the applicant can be scheduled according to the rules of the board and department. The provisional license shall expire upon written notification by the department that the applicant has failed the examination or on the date of the scheduled examination, should the applicant fail to appear. Acceptance of a provisional license by an applicant shall be deemed to be consent for expiration of that license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(d) No more than one provisional license may be issued to an individual. No provisional license shall be issued to an applicant who has previously failed the examination.

(5) The board shall adopt rules:

(a) Establishing a minimum training program for apprentices.

(b) Specifying standards and procedures for issuance of a provisional license.

(c) Providing for educational standards, examination, and certification for the practice of colonic irrigation, as defined in s. 480.033(6), by massage therapists.

(d) Specifying licensing procedures for practitioners desiring to be licensed in this state who hold an active license and have practiced in any other state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States or any foreign national jurisdiction which has licensing standards substantially similar to, equivalent to, or more stringent than the standards of this state. History: s. 10, ch. 78-436; ss. 13, 15, 25, 30, 34, 52, 62, ch. 80-406; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 25, 47, ch. 82-179; s. 77, ch. 83-329; ss. 4, 12, 13, ch. 85-280; s. 61, ch. 87-225; s. 52, ch. 89-374; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 153, ch. 94-119.