Maryland Jurisprudence Exam Study Guide

Welcome! This study guide will help you through the regulations by giving a side-along, plain language commentary to keep your attention tuned and understand the text.

This course is intended as a study guide only. It cannot be used as a substitute for appropriate legal advice.

The Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners (MBMTE) is the government unit that directly oversees the licensing of massage therapists for the state. 

Reading regulations is easy(ier) once you understand the organizational structure.

This reference section will show you where to find answers to some common questions within the regulations.

Definitions and scope, including massage therapy techniques included and excluded, definition of “health care setting,” and exclusion of diagnosing.

This section outlines the form and functions of the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, including responsibilities of enforcing the regulations and funding for the Board’s activities and expenses.

This section outlines the qualifications of licensure, the requirements of a massage therapy education, and the process for converting a license from another state or jurisdiction, obtaining inactive status, and surrender of license. It also includes criminal records check procedures for applicants, and establishes the requirement for licenses to be clearly displayed.

This section discusses the proper use of advertising.

This section prohibits the unauthorized practice of massage therapy or practicing with a fraudulent license.

This (very short) section names the “Massage Therapy Act”, and sets the termination of these laws for July 1st, 2026; at which time new laws will be passed. This is known as the “Sunset” date.

This section provides reference to and partially annotates various other sections of the Annotated Code that are mentioned in the Massage Therapy Act.

This chapter establishes the BOMTE’s administrative order and operating rules. It defines terms in use throughout the Title. It establishes the requirement of licensure to practice massage therapy, as well as the application process, renewals, reinstatement, and more.

This chapter explains the procedures, including notices and rights of license holders, in the case of Board hearings, such as disciplinary hearings.

While all of the chapters of this code are important for understanding your professional status, and for passing your Jurisprudence exam — this chapter is one of the most important to understand for your actual ethical practice as a licensed massage therapist.

This section discusses the proper and improper uses of advertisements.

This chapter describes your requirements for keeping accurate, legible, and confidential client records; and for complying with records requests.

This chapter describes the accommodations that can be requested for special needs.

This chapter provides the most up-to-date information about upcoming bills and legislative changes.

This bill edits certain language around the definition of “practicing” massage therapy, and gives the Board the authority to require criminal records and health examination reports.

This Bill updates the regulations to prohibit any person from aiding or abetting the unauthorized practice of massage therapy and defines the violation as a felony.

These updates are already reflected in the COMAR and Annotated Code content above.

This bill prohibits the MBMTE from requiring proof of legal immigration status to licensees and applicants.

This bill updated the scope of practice of MTs to include ‘treatment’ of ailments; removed a section of legislation that exempted health insurance from reimbursing for massage; and extended the deadline for issuing RMPs to 2024.