Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Nursing intends to consider amending 18VAC90-50, Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists, as a result of the periodic review of regulations conducted by the board. The purpose of the proposed action is to clarify certain sections, offer additional options for completion of continuing education, require an attestation of compliance with laws and ethics for initial certification, and add provisions to the standards of conduct that may subject a regulant to disciplinary action. The Board of Nursing will initiate a separate regulatory action to amend the regulation in accordance with Chapter 324 of the 2016 Acts of Assembly, which requires that massage therapists be licensed, rather than certified.

This Notice of Intended Regulatory Action serves as the report of the findings of the regulatory review pursuant to § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1 2400 and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: August 10, 2016.

Agency Contact: Jay P. Douglas, R.N., Executive Director, Board of Nursing, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4515, FAX (804) 527-4455, or email jay.douglas@dhp.virginia.gov.