§3561. License renewal requirements
A.(1) Each license shall be renewed annually, on or before its expiration date by
submitting a renewal application form and payment of the renewal fee specified in R.S.
37:3562. Each licensed massage therapist shall also provide evidence of the completion of
continuing education requirements, as established by rule of the board.
(2)(a) Beginning with the renewal cycle of April 1, 2022, any excess continuing
education credits may be applied to the following year only after a licensee has satisfied the
license renewal requirements.
(b)(i) The board shall require any renewing applicant licensed prior to April 1, 2022,
who has not previously submitted to a state and federal background check as described in
R.S. 37:3555(A)(14) with the board, to submit to such background check prior to the license
being renewed.
(ii) The board shall require any renewing applicant registered prior to August 1, 2025,
who has not previously submitted to a state and federal background check as described in
R.S. 37:3555(A)(14) with the board, to submit to such background check prior to the
registration being renewed.
(iii) In order to renew, an applicant shall not have pled guilty to or been convicted of
any sex-related crime, crime of violence, or crime related to the practice of massage therapy.
B. Any license not renewed on or before its expiration date shall expire and all rights
and privileges under the license shall cease.
C. A person whose license has expired and who has ceased activities as a massage
therapist for less than twenty-four consecutive months may have his license reinstated upon
payment of the renewal fee and the late fee specified in R.S. 37:3562, upon submission of
a renewal application form and providing evidence satisfactory to the board that he has
fulfilled continuing education requirements and passed the examination provided for in R.S.
37:3557.
D. A licensee who chooses to adopt inactive status and cease activities as a massage
therapist may submit an affidavit, along with the specified fee in R.S. 37:3562 to apply for
inactive status as required by rule of the board. If the licensee does not request to be placed
on inactive status, his license shall expire if not timely renewed.
E. If a licensee does not apply for inactive status and does not renew his license for
a period of more than twenty-four consecutive months, the license shall be considered to
have lapsed. The licensee shall submit a new application which complies with all of the
current requirements of this Chapter and the rules of the board as appropriate, including
twenty-four hours of continuing education, and shall pay the licensure application fee, the
original professional license fee, and any other fees applicable to a new application.
Acts 1992, No. 753, §2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Acts 2012, No. 605, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013;
Acts 2021, No. 324, §2, eff. June 14, 2021; Acts 2024, No. 779, §1, eff. June 21, 2024; Acts
2025, No. 453, §1.