Jurisprudence and Renewal Updates
Friday August 7, 2020

Hello Maryland AMTA Members,

We have two updates today. First, lots of information for those who have been waiting to take the Jurisprudence.

Second, some info and reminders about the 2020 license and registration renewal process, requirements, and the fees.

Please read on - complete updates below.

If you have any more questions - please feel to reply or visit us on Facebook for more of a discussion - our main page is https://www.facebook.com/amtamd

Take good care,

Amelia
Amelia Mitchell, LMT, LLCC, BCTMB
Board Member and Government Relations Committee Chair
for
David Madon, Mark Hamilton, Molly Farwell, and Chelsea Adams-Cook
Your AMTA-Maryland Chapter Board
JURISPRUDENCE EXAM
Good news! After working on this for some time, the Maryland Board is able to offer the Jurisprudence test again. The building has been closed to the public since March - preventing test administration. Small groups will be allowed.

The MBMTE has released three dates for the Jurisprudence test and will be contacting all of the people who were signed up to take the test.

The information will come in the mail.

The dates will be offered to the people who have been waiting the longest first.

With social distancing measures in place, only 10 people will be able to test in one sitting.

Test takers will receive all of the information, here are the basics:
  • Masks that securely cover the nose and mouth are required to be worn at all times.
  • Temperature screening will happen before individuals are able to enter the building.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available and required as entering the testing room.
  • Social distancing measures are required and will be enforced.
  • Those who are awarded new RMPs and LMTs will not have to renew until 2022.

Upcoming Dates:
08/18/20 - Massage Juris Exam
08/25/20- Massage Juris Exam
08/27/20 - Massage Juris Exam

IMPORTANT - Only the applicants who have been notified to attend a specific test date will be admitted to the facility. All applicants will receive written information from the MBMTE about when they are scheduled to test.

2020 RENEWAL INFORMATION
All the information went out to all Maryland LMTs and RMPs via email today. We will copy the complete email below if you missed it for any reason.

Highlights:

  • All RMPs and LMTs are required to renew by October 31, 2020.
  • All Renewals are completed online.
  • The online system will open on or about August 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m
  • Only the 7 required CEs are needed - the board waived the other 17 for this cycle (no we don't yet know if they will allow carry over in 2022, stay tuned.)
  • The license/registration fee: $276.00-LMT, $250.00-RMP, or $50.00 for Inactive Status
  • Renewal fees are the same. The board has a fiscal responsibility per state law and could not adjust the fees for renewal.
  • The board has waived all late fees for people who renew between Oct. 31 and Nov. 30th. Please note that if you do not renew by Oct. 31, 2020 you may not legally practice massage.
  • If you are randomly audited you will be required to provide documentation for the CE classes you have submitted.
  • A valid CPR certification is required, BLS/Health Care level for LMTs.
  • If you want to go Inactive or reactivate your license or registration from Inactive or Expired you need to contact the board offices directly.

Your questions and concerns are always welcome, please feel free to reply to this email or contact Amelia at vp1.amta.maryland@gmail.com
Complete Notice from the
Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners

IMPORTANT 2020-2022 BIENNIAL RENEWAL INFORMATION FOR
LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST & REGISTERED MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS
August 7, 2020
 
Dear Licensed Massage Therapists & Registered Massage Practitioners:

The deadline to renew your Massage Therapy License or Registration is October 31, 2020. All renewals will be online, with some exceptions which are explained in the 2020 renewal instructions and procedures on the Board's website (https://health.maryland.gov/massage/Documents/reninstructions.pdf.)   

Access to the online renewal portal is through the Board’s website at www.health.maryland.gov/massage

  • Opening of Renewal Portal- The renewal portal will be open to receive applications on or about August 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., and will remain open through 11:59 pm on November 30, 2020.
  • Late Renewal –The late renewal period is November 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. The renewal portal will close on December 1, 2020.

The Board recognizes that the Coronavirus has negatively impacted the income of the massage professionals. Consequently, the Board has waived all late fees during the late renewal period, November 1-30, 2020. The Board advises that if you do not renew your license or registration by October 31, 2020, you may not legally practice massage therapy in Maryland. To do so is a violation of the law and may likely result in disciplinary actions by the Board.

Additionally, for this renewal period only, the Board has waived the seventeen (17) elective CEU hours requirement. However, you must complete seven (7) hours of continuing education in three mandatory courses; 3 hours Ethics or Jurisprudence, 3 hours Communicable Diseases, and 1 hour Diversity or Cultural Competence. You must also possess an unexpired, valid CPR certificate at the time of completing your renewal application commensurate with you.

Key Points:
  1. Renew your license or registration as soon as the renewal portal opens, but no later than October 30, 2020. This allows sufficient time for processing your application and mailing your updated license or registration which must be displayed wherever you provide massage therapy.
  2. You are required to complete the seven (7) mandatory hours in CEUs, and possess an unexpired CPR certificate (provider level for LMTs and basic level for RMPs), before you submit your renew application online.
  3. If you received your initial license/registration on or after October 31, 2019, you are exempt from the CEU requirements for this renewal period. However, you must renew your license or registration and have a valid CPR certification commensurate with your status.
  4. You may be randomly audited. If so, you will need to provide copies of all CE courses completed.
  5. Payment will be accepted online via MasterCard or Visa, either credit or debit card. If you do not have a bank issued MasterCard or Visa, you may purchase a disposable MasterCard or Visa from a local retailer such as: Giant, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc., and deposit sufficient fund on the card to cover your license/registration fee: $276.00-LMT, $250.00-RMP, or $50.00 for Inactive Status.

If you wish to ‘reinstate’ a license/registration that has been in Non-Renewed status for five years or less, or ‘reactivate’ a license/registration from Inactive status, you are unable to do so using the renewal portal. Please contact the Board for instructions on completing the “Reinstatement Application” or “Reactivation Application” which are located in the “Forms” section on the Board’s website. Submit all required documents and fees as outlined in the application(s) and mail to: MD State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Suite 301, Baltimore, MD 21215, Attn: Licensing Unit. If you have questions about the reinstatement or reactivation process, please email Sharon Oliver at: sharon.oliver@maryland.gov

There is an evaluation/rating option on the online system that permits all users to enter their rating and opinion of the online renewal system. We appreciate your comments and rating as it will assist the Board and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) in refining these online renewal portals.

We ask that you renew as early as possible to guarantee that you will receive your updated license/registration before it expires. We are committed to working hard and making this renewal process as painless as is humanly possible. However, like many businesses and organizations throughout Maryland and the world, the Board’s operation continues to be impacted by COVID-19.

Working cooperatively we will have a successful 2020 renewal experience.

Sincerely,
Sharon J. Oliver, MBA, Executive Director