Section 847IAC1-2-5. Boundaries; ethical conduct; sexual misconduct

   (a) When providing massage therapy a certificate holder shall do the following:

(1) Wear clothing that is clean, modest, and professional.

(2) Provide privacy for the client while the client is dressing and undressing.

(3) Provide draping in a manner that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client.

(4) Use draping so that the:

(A) gluteal cleft and genital areas of male and female clients; and

(B) breasts of female clients;

are not exposed.

  (b) Draping is not required when the client remains fully clothed during the massage therapy session.

  (c) With prior voluntary and informed consent of the client, the gluteal cleft and breast draping may be temporarily moved in order to perform therapeutic treatment to structures in those areas.

  (d) A certificate holder shall not do the following:

(1) Perform massage therapy while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances, except for prescribed medications that do not impair the massage therapist's ability to perform massage therapy.

(2) Engage in any behavior with a client that is verbally, physically, or emotionally abusive.

(3) Exert influence or take unfair advantage of a client for financial or other gain.

(4) Exploit the client-massage therapist relationship.

(5) Engage in sexual activity with a client:

(A) during a massage therapy session; or

(B) at an establishment where massage therapy is conducted.

(6) Permit any other person to engage in sexual activity with a client:

(A) during a massage therapy session; or

(B) at an establishment where massage therapy is conducted.

(7) Initiate or ask the client to engage in sexual activity or behave verbally or nonverbally in a manner intended to solicit sexual activity with a client.

(8) Expose, touch, or massage the genitalia of a client.

  (e) A certificate holder may:

(1) terminate a massage therapy session; or

(2) refuse to treat any person or part of the body;

for just and reasonable cause. (State Board of Massage Therapy; 847 IAC 1-2-5; filed Jan 13, 2009, 11:54 a.m.: 20090211-IR-847080351FRA; readopted filed Nov 20, 2015, 3:30 p.m.: 20151216-IR-847150225RFA)