During the 2016 Legislative session, CS/HB 545 passed, which made changes to the Massage Practice Act. These changes update a list of convictions sometimes referred to as “crimes related to the practice,” and generally relate to human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and protecting special populations from harmful or predatory behaviors.
Chapter 456.074, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Health to:
- Immediately suspend the license of a therapist who has been convicted of any offense listed.
- Immediately suspend the license of any establishment whose owner/operator, or any related person has been convicted of any offense listed
Chapter 480.041, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Health to:
- Deny an application for massage therapist licensure if the applicant has been convicted of any of any offense listed.
- Deny the renewal of massage therapist licensure if the licensee has been convicted of any offense listed.
Chapter 480.043, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Health to:
- Deny an application for massage establishment licensure if the applicant, or any related person has been convicted of any offense listed.
- Deny the renewal of massage establishment licensure if the applicant, or any related person has been convicted of any offense listed.
For more information about background screening and criminal history as it relates to licensure, please visit the following links:
https://floridasmassagetherapy.gov/?s=criminal+history
http://flhealthsource.gov/background-screening
To view the updated statutes, please visit the following links:
