Sec. 10.65.03.03. Standards of Practice

A. The license holder or registration holder shall be concerned primarily with the welfare of the client.

B. A license holder or registration holder who suffers from a physical, mental, or emotional impairment, including chemical abuse, which impacts the license holder’s or registration holder’s ability to practice massage therapy, shall proactively seek professional treatment and shall refrain from the practice of massage therapy until such time as the impairment no longer exists or reasonable accommodations can be made.

C. A license holder or registration holder shall:

(1) Use professional discretion and integrity in relationships with members of the public and health care community;

(2) Engage in professional conduct at all times, with honesty, integrity, self-respect, and fairness;

(3) Remain free from conflict of interest while fulfilling the objectives and maintaining the integrity of the massage therapy profession;

(4) Provide accurate fee information to the client, the individual responsible for payment for treatment, and the insurer;

(5) At all times respect the client's dignity, autonomy, and privacy;

(6) Practice massage therapy only as defined in the scope of practice set out in Health Occupations Article, §6–101, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(7) Cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, including:

(a) Furnishing information requested;

(b) Complying with a subpoena;

(c) Responding to a complaint at the request of the Board; and

(d) Providing meaningful and timely access to relevant client records;

(8) Report to the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, or other appropriate authority, conduct in the practice of massage therapy that indicates a violation of:

(a) This chapter;

(b) Health Occupations Article, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland; or

(c) Any other law, including but not limited to aiding or abetting the unauthorized practice of massage therapy; and

(9) Attempt to correct others who misrepresent the license holder's or registration holder's credentials, qualifications, education, or affiliations.

D. A license holder or registration holder may not:

(1) Misrepresent professional credentials, qualifications, education, or affiliations;

(2) Knowingly engage in or condone behavior that:

(a) Is fraudulent;

(b) Is dishonest;

(c) Is deceitful; or

(d) Involves moral turpitude;

(3) Engage in a commercial activity that conflicts with the duties of a licensed massage therapist or registered massage practitioner;

(4) Perform massage therapy on a client if a contraindication against this treatment exists;

(5) Discriminate against a client or a health care provider based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability; or

(6) Aid or abet any individual violating or attempting to violate any provision of law or regulation.