North Carolina Focuses on Ethics                                         November 2004
Citing an increasing number of complaints against massage therapists for sexual misconduct, the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork has upped its ethics quotient required for license holders.

New rules include a requirement that three out of the 25 continuing-education hours needed to renew a two-year massage license be in the area of ethics; a larger section on standards of practice for license holders, massage educators and students; and more stringent screening of massage-school applicants.

 “What we have found is that some therapists just do not understand the boundary functions that are necessary to have a proper, safe, ethical massage practice,” says Charles Wilkins, counsel for the board.

In 2002 the board permanently revoked the licenses of three massage therapists for sexual misconduct, and there are six additional cases pending. “I’ve been very surprised,” Wilkins says. “I represent another licensing board in the health-care field (occupational therapy), and it’s surprising to me the number of complaints I’ve received in the massage field that are as serious as the ones we’ve been receiving.”

In all the cases, Wilkins says, the therapists are men charged by female clients with engaging in sexual activity during a massage session. One complaint was made by a female student against a male teacher. Additional charges in these cases include failure to provide proper draping, failure to disclose past criminal history, attempting to provide services for which the therapist was untrained to perform, and failing to refer to an appropriate health-care provider.

 “I think part of [the problem] is the conditions under which massage is given, which is usually behind closed doors with therapist and client—the client in an undressed state—and relying on the ethics of the therapist to do the right thing,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins also said that the board has received a “surprising” number of applications for licensure from people with criminal records, including sexual assault. There are more than 4,500 licensed massage therapists in North Carolina.

Student orientation, individual interviews for school applicants and greater focus on ethics can raise the bar for ethics and standards in the profession, the board concluded.

 “The schools are the future of the profession,” Wilkins says. “I believe the schools need to make sure the people they allow into their programs are appropriate, and are in the program for the right reasons.

- Kelle Walsh  “I think having good schools and appropriate students will go a long way toward protecting the public,” he adds.