Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Probation Attorney

Probation from the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy against the licenses of massage therapists in Arizona is offered through a Consent Agreement.  The Consent Agreement requires the massage therapist to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).  Or alternatively, refrain from doing things (using alcohol, prescribing scheduled drugs, seeing certain patients, etc.). The Arizona Board of Massage Therapy can place massage therapists on probation through:

• Stipulated Rehabilitation Agreement
• Interim Practice Restriction
• Decree of Censure with Probation
• Letter of Reprimand with Probation
• Practice Limitation

Massage therapists who hold a license in Arizona can face disciplinary actions by the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy for many different reasons.  If the Massage Therapy Board determines formal licensing action is necessary it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona Practice Act and Arizona law.  Thus, at an Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Meeting, the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation, thus, a defense attorney may be needed.  The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the massage therapist formal discipline.

Responding to Practice Complaints and Investigations

After receiving an Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Complaint or self-report, a massage therapist receives a notice from the Board requesting additional information as well as a response to allegations found in the complaint. From here, the Massage Therapy Board assigns an investigator to the complaint and they begin to collect evidence. The documents and evidence collected include:

• Patient medical records
• Employment files from the massage therapist’s employer and business
• Criminal records
• Interviews of people associated with the Board Complaint (These interviewees can include the patient, medical director, colleagues, etc.)

Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Disciplinary Actions

When a massage therapist is facing a complaint or investigation by their medical board, they may also face the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Disciplinary Actions. Facing disciplinary action can have vast repercussions on a medical career. This can include license probation, suspension, or revocation. It can also jeopardize employment. A massage therapist under investigation can face termination at their current job after receiving a complaint or after the Board initiates an investigation.

There are certain allegations that can cause a massage therapist to receive disciplinary action. These include:

• Improper record keeping
• Reporting false information
• Negligence
• Physical abuse of patients
• Sexual abuse of patients
• Criminal convictions
• Substance Abuse
• Disruptive Conduct

Filing an Appeal after a Board of Massage Therapy Meeting

The investigatory process and the appeal process work like this:  Once the Board receives a complaint or self-report they will then initiate an investigation into the Arizona massage therapist license. The purpose of this investigation is to give the ABMT evidence to make a decision on whether or not a massage therapist should face disciplinary action. If the massage therapist receives an unfavorable formal disciplinary decision, it is at this point, they can then file an appeal and request a hearing with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearing. An Administrative Law Judge will then oversee the appeal and the massage therapist may need to attend a hearing. However, sometimes the investigation is automatically sent to hearing or an informal settlement conference can be held (if requested).

Arizona Administrative Appeal and Hearing

Any massage therapist licensee may request a legal appeal of Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Discipline to an administrative law judge with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) which is located in Phoenix. In some instances, a case is sent automatically to OAH. The Arizona’s OAH hearing is conducted before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  The administrative process is not as formal as a trial, but is similar. Each party presents evidence using documents or sworn testimony. Each party also gives an opening and closing argument which should explain why the judge should rule one way or the other. A massage therapist’s attorney can cross examine witnesses and testify on his or her behalf. After it is completed, the ALJ reviews the transcripts, evidence and makes a recommendation. However, the Board makes the decision to either accept, reject or modify the ALJ’s decision.  If an individuals feels there has been a mistake they can request a rehearing by appealing the decision.

Criminal Reporting Requirements for a Massage Therapist

A.R.S. 32-3208 requires that massage therapist licensees and applicants for a massage therapist license must report misdemeanor criminal charges involving conduct that may affect patient safety or a felony to the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy within 10 working days after the charge is filed.  A working day would be considered Monday through Friday. Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona statutes.

What Current and Past Crimes Must Be Reported?

Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Criminal Reporting requirements hold that a felony must be reported within 10 days of being charged. The following types of misdemeanor or other criminal histories are crimes that have been determined by the Board to be reportable pursuant to A.RS § 32-3208: 

• Assault and Related Offenses
• Theft and Related Offenses
• Fraud, Deceit and Related Offenses
• Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation of a Child or Vulnerable Adult and Related Offenses
• Sexual and Related Offenses
• Drug and/or Alcohol Related Offenses
• Arson and Related Offenses
• Animal Abuse, Cruelty and Related Offenses

Failure to report a reportable criminal charge within 10 business days is a violation of the Arizona Practice Act and could result in disciplinary action which could result in Arizona Board of Massage Therapy’s Probation.

DUI Criminal History

Massage Therapists who contact our office frequently ask our attorney’s if state law allows a massage therapist with a DUI crime or conviction to get a license with the Arizona State Massage Therapy Board? The short answer is yes. An Arizona Massage Therapist DUI will not necessarily prevent a massage therapist from obtaining a license or a career in the health field. However, the Board (which handles all complaints) has a public policy (updated as of September 2020) on their website which covers the details of what circumstances massage therapists with a case that resulted in a felony DUI criminal conviction can get a license.

Massage Therapy License Criminal Consequences

This specific policy does not apply to criminal conduct involving misdemeanor DUI charges or convictions. Once a massage therapy professional applies for a license to practice to the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy, they need to disclose any felony DUI criminal court convictions (from previous years) on their application. A massage therapist must report a felony DUI no matter how much time or how many years have passed since the time of the conviction or case.  The AZ Board may also ask about past DUI misdemeanor criminal charges or cases that resulted in a conviction. This is done to ensure a massage therapist can perform safe patient care and can have safe direct contact with patients or other providers.

Disclosing a Criminal Record for a Professional Applicant

If a massage therapist license applicant is not required to disclose a legal misdemeanor DUI, the AZ Board can still initiate an investigation based upon the results of a health care fingerprint background check. The Board will then contact the professional and initiate an investigation in their practice utilizing the law of the Arizona Practice Act (current as of October 2020). This license investigation determines whether the massage therapist is a danger to the public, has any medical or mental health problems and whether the massage therapist has rehabilitated in the time since the criminal misdemeanor DUI or DUI charges occurred. Simply, the Board wants to know whether the applicant can provide safe nursing care with a past criminal case involving alcohol or substance abuse.

The attorney’s at Chelle Law assist massage therapists with interpreting Board policy (which is generally on the Board website). Our attorney’s help the health care workers and massage therapists with their application to show the Board the professional isn’t a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public and is able to provide safe patient care.

Consultation with Chelle Law Defense Attorney

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Board of Massage Therapy Attorney services and how to protect your license, set up a consultation with Chelle Law today.