(a)  Any person who practices massage therapy or acts in any capacity where a license is required by this chapter, without a license provided for in this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-20.8-11

  • Massage: means the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body accomplished by the use of digits, hands, forearms, elbows, knees, or feet, hand-held tool, or other external apparatus. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-20.8-1
  • Massage therapist: means a person engaged in the practice of massage and is licensed in accordance with this chapter of the general laws of the state of Rhode Island. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-20.8-1
  • Massage therapy: means the use of massage for therapeutic purposes, including, but not limited to: pain management, stress reduction, promotion of relaxation, and enhancement of general health and well-being. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-20.8-1
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Practice of massage therapy: means the exchange of massage therapy services for currency, goods, or services. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-20.8-1

(b)  Any owner, operator, manager, or licensee in charge of or in control of a massage therapy practice who knowingly employs a person who is not licensed as a massage therapist, or who allows an unlicensed person to perform, operate, or practice massage therapy is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c)  The practice of massage therapy by a person without a license issued under this chapter is declared to be a danger to the public health and welfare. In addition to any other civil, criminal, or disciplinary remedy, the attorney general or prosecuting attorney of any municipality where the person is practicing, or purporting to practice, may maintain an action to enjoin that person from practicing massage therapy until this person secures a valid license.

(d)  [Deleted by P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 6, § 1].

History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 273, § 3; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 6, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 114, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 140, § 1.