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Part 52, Registration of Curricula for Massage Therapy

Disclaimer: Sections from the Education Law, Rules of the Board of Regents or Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are presented below for general informational purposes as a public service. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that these sections are current, complete, and accurate, the State Education Department does not warrant or represent that this information is current, complete, and accurate. The statutes, rules, and regulations are subject to change on a regular basis. Readers are advised to consult McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York (West Publishing Corporation) and Title 8 of the Unofficial Version New York Codes, Rules and Regulations - Title 8 (8 NYCRR), published by the Department of State, and the State Register for the official exposition of the text of these statutes, rules and regulations, as well as for amendments and any subsequent changes or revisions thereto.

  1. A program of instruction in massage therapy may be offered at a degree-granting institution or by a school or institute of massage therapy which meets the requirements of this Part.
  2. Curriculum. The institution shall maintain a satisfactory program of not less than 1,000 clock hours of classroom instruction or the semester hour equivalent, as prescribed as follows:
    1. 200 clock hours in anatomy, physiology, and neurology, provided that a minimum of 50 clock hours of instruction is in neurology;
    2. 150 clock hours in myology and/or kinesiology;
    3. 100 clock hours in general pathology, including instruction related to skin, neuromuscular, and soft tissue conditions;
    4. 75 clock hours in the subject of hygiene, first aid, and other areas related to the practice of massage therapy, including but not limited to instruction in: infection control procedures; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) resulting in certification; the recognition of abused and/or neglected patients; and the uses, effects, and chemical ingredients of powders, oils, and other products used in the practice of massage therapy;
    5. 150 clock hours in general theory and techniques in the fundamentals of western massage therapy and oriental massage therapy, provided that a minimum of 50 clock hours of instruction is given in each type of massage therapy; and
    6. 325 clock hours of additional instruction and student practice in massage therapy techniques, within the practice of massage therapy as defined in section 7801 of the Education Law, provided that each student shall be required to directly apply massage therapy techniques to another individual for a minimum of 150 clock hours and that student practice shall be under the on-site supervision of a person licensed to practice massage therapy pursuant to the requirements of section 7804 of the Education Law or authorized to practice massage therapy by subdivision one of section 7805 of the Education Law.