Understanding the NYS Continuing Education Law
Have questions about continuing education in NYS? Here is a quick summary of the NYS Continuing Education Law. For more in-depth questions and explanations, please visit the Office of the Professions Massage Therapy website.
Summary of NYS Continuing Education Law
Requires 36 hours of continuing education every 3 years beginning with your first re-registration. (Same as NY registration period.) During the first 3-year period after your graduation, you are NOT required to take 36 CE’s.
Courses must be provided by NYS-approved providers. (see http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mt/mtceproviders.htm for the list)
Subject matter must be that which “contributes to your professional and clinical skills.”
Hands-on within the scope of practice
A&P, myology, pathology, etc. – “the sciences” required in massage school
Philosophy and principles of massage therapy
Clinical interventions/evidence-based models /“how to” research and case studies
Professional rules, regulations, standards of good practice, self-care, law and/or ethics, health, safety, and public welfare
First Aid, CPR, intake, evaluation, assessment, treatment planning, record-keeping, chemistry, and safety of products
Subjects not approved for CEs are those that are not within the licensed scope of practice:
Reiki, Alexander, Feldenkrais
“Appearance enhancement” (wraps, scrubs, “facelift massage,” etc)
Continuing education that is designed for the sole purpose of maximizing profits for the practice of a massage therapist shall not be acceptable as continuing education.
CEs may also be given for:
Preparing and teaching a course offered by an approved provider or an approved massage school
Presenting at a professional conference sponsored by an approved provider
Achieving a specialty certification from an “entity acceptable to NYS OPD.”
Authoring a peer-reviewed journal article or published book
Passing the (free) exam on the OPD website about massage laws, rules, and regulations. (3 hours CE’s)
Renewing First Aid or CPR certificate (up to 3 hours CE’s)
Any class in “another jurisdiction” for formal education in massage therapy (up to 6 hours CE’s)
Online classes are accepted as long as they are from an approved NY provider. If not by an approved provider, then up to 6 hours as defined above, you may take some or all of your CE hours online.
If you cannot take the required CE’s before you need to register, you cannot practice until you “catch up. OPD may issue a conditional registration good for one year for “catch up” time.
** Here is the form and instructions to apply for an extension to complete your CE hours. You may also find it helpful to contact the Office of the professions at the following number, 518-474-3817 ext. 150 or the following email, msthbd@mail.nysed.gov
Record Keeping:
Continuing education records – 6 years
Client records – 6 years, Minors at least 6 years, and must be 1 year after the minor turns 21
Advertising copy – 1 year
Helpful Links:
NYSED Continuing Education Questions & Answers for Licensed Massage Therapists
Continuing Education Department Approved Providers
Free Self-Examination for Three Hours Continuing Education Credit from NYS