Continuing Education
Licensed massage therapists must complete at least 8 hours of continuing education every two years. (SDCL 36-35-19) Qualifying continuing education is any course with a clear purpose and objective which maintains, improves, or expands the skills and knowledge relevant to massage therapy of the human body. Qualifying continuing education must meet the definition of massage therapy pursuant to § 36-35-1(3) or be education presented by an approved provider of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, American Medical Massage Association, or Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. College courses used to meet continuing education requirements must not replicate courses submitted by the licensee to meet the required licensing coursework. An academic semester credit equals 15 continuing education hours and a quarter credit equals 10 continuing education hours. (ARSD 20:76:03)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or another course deemed equivalent by the board is qualifying continuing education for up to four hours in each continuing education cycle. In person attendance of a board meeting is qualifying continuing education for up to two hours in each continuing education cycle. No other qualifying continuing education may be repeated in consecutive continuing education cycles.
Any or all of the required 8 hours of continuing education may be obtained electronically (online or by other electronic means).
In person attendance of a board meeting is qualifying continuing education for up to two hours in each continuing education cycle. (ARSD 20:76:03)
Continuing education requirements must be met every two years. The current continuing education cycle runs from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. Continuing education used to meet renewal requirements must be taken during the current continuing education cycle.
Because continuing education is required every two years, continuing education is prorated based on the initial date of your licensure. If you were licensed before October 1, 2022, you must show proof of 8 hours of continuing education to renew your license by September 30, 2024. If you were licensed after October 1, 2022, please refer to the following for the continuing education hours required to renew your license by September 30, 2024:
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8 hours of continuing education required |
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6 hours of continuing education required |
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4 hours of continuing education required |
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2 hours of continuing education required |
The Course Category Policy below is effective November 1, 2019 as part of the Board Policies and Positions
(Board Action September 25, 2019)
Course Category Policy
The FSMTB has determined that courses taught in the following categories will be acceptable for inclusion in the CE Registry. Inclusion does not guarantee acceptance for license renewal; only state licensing boards have the authority to accept continuing education for license renewal.
Anatomy & Physiology – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the structure and function of the body.
Applications & Tools – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in using applications and tools in the practice of massage therapy:
Applications – The topical application of any preparation, including but not limited to, the external application of hydrotherapy, thermotherapy and cryotherapy to augment the effects of massage therapy treatment.
Tools - Manual devices that mimic or enhance the actions of the hands.
Instructor Training – Courses to prepare individuals to teach in the massage profession.
Kinesiology – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the study of the movement of the body.
Modalities – Eastern/Asian – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in Eastern/Asian massage modalities.
Modalities – Western – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in Western massage modalities.
Pathology – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the study of diseases that affect the human body and their implications for massage.
Pharmacology – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the interactions between medications and massage.
Professional Practice – Courses in the following topic areas:
Assessment
Benefits of Massage
Body Mechanics
Business
Communication with Clients
Contraindications
Documenting/Charting
Record Keeping
Treatment Planning
Third Party Reimbursement
Universal Precautions
Regulatory Ethics – State required regulatory education courses.
Addictions/Substance Abuse
Boundaries
Cultural Competence
Ethics
Human Trafficking
Infectious Disease Control
Laws
Mandated Reporting
Medical Error Prevention
Regulations
Scope of Practice
Sexual Misconduct/Abuse
Research – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the process of scientific research of massage therapy.
Special Populations – Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in providing massage/bodywork to special populations of clients.
Athletes/Fitness
Disabilities
Geriatric
Hospice
Infants & Children
Military
Orthopedic
Obese
Oncology
Pregnant
Trauma
Other – Courses whose main purpose is not found in any other category. These courses will be reviewed for acceptance on a scheduled basis.
Unacceptable Course Topics
The FSMTB does not accept courses that are out of the massage therapy scope of practice. Some unacceptable course types are:
Advanced science
Applied Kinesiology
Animal massage
Bamboo
Chiropractic assistant
Crystals
Crystal bowls
Dancing
Diets
Dry needling
Electric stimulation
Energy work
Exercise
Feng Shui
Herbal remedies
Homeopathic remedies
Light therapy
Martial Arts
Meditation
Non-biological science
Nutrition
Personal training
Pilates
Psychology
Qi Gong
Sea shells
Social work
Spirituality
Supplements
Tai Chi
Therapist Self-care
Tuning Forks
Ultrasound
Weightlifting
Yoga