South Carolina Massage License Look-up
15) “Massage therapy” means the application of a system of structured touch to the soft tissues of the human body with the hand, foot, knee, arm, or elbow, whether or not the structured touch is aided by hydrotherapy, thermal therapy, a massage therapy device, or application to the human body of an herbal preparation. Massage therapy includes, but is not limited to, bodywork modalities as approved by the board. SECTION 40-30-30. Definitions.
(B) Unless otherwise exempt from licensure, no person or entity may open, operate, maintain, use, or advertise as a massage therapy establishment or a sole practitioner establishment without obtaining a massage therapist license, massage therapy establishment license, or sole practitioner establishment license, as applicable, pursuant to this chapter. SECTION 40-30-100. Practice without license.
(E) Only a person licensed under this chapter may use the title of “massage therapist”. No person or entity shall use the words “massage therapy”, “bodywork therapy”, “massage-bodywork therapist”, “massage therapist”, the acronym “MT”, “bodywork therapist”, “massage”, or “licensed massage therapist”, the acronym “LMT”, or any other words identified by the board in regulation unless the person or entity is licensed pursuant to this chapter. SECTION 40-30-140. Issuance of license.
SECTION 40-30-160. Violations of this chapter; administrative citations; cease and desist orders; appeal.
Section effective May 13, 2023.
(A) The board may issue administrative citations and cease and desist orders in person or by certified mail and may assess administrative penalties against an establishment or individual, including unlicensed persons, for violations of this chapter or Chapter 1, Title 40 and related regulations.
(B) For each violation, separate citations may be issued, and separate administrative penalties may be assessed; however, no more than five thousand dollars in administrative penalties may be assessed against an establishment or an individual, including an unlicensed practice, per offense. Administrative penalties authorized under this section are separate from and in addition to all other remedies, either civil or criminal.
(C) An entity or individual that has been assessed administrative penalties may appeal those penalties to the board within ten days of receipt of a citation. If an appeal is filed, then the department shall schedule a hearing before the board, which shall make a determination on the matter. If no appeal is filed, then the citation is considered a final order, and the administrative penalties must be paid within thirty days of receipt of the citation or other written demand.
SECTION 40-30-220. Cease and desist orders; temporary restraining orders.
Section effective May 13, 2023. See, also, section 40-30-220 effective until May 13, 2023.
(A) If the board or the department has reason to believe that an individual or an entity is violating or intends to violate a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter, in addition to all other remedies, the board may order an individual or an entity to immediately cease and desist from engaging in the conduct. If the individual is practicing massage therapy or an entity is operating a massage therapy establishment or sole practitioner establishment without being licensed pursuant to this chapter, then the board or the department also may apply to an administrative law judge for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the unlawful practice. The board or the department may also seek from an administrative law judge other equitable relief to enjoin the violation or intended violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
Labor Licensing Regulation
South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel
110 Center View
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: 803-896-4588
Fax: 803-896-4484
Email: BoardInfo@llr.sc.gov
