North Carolina Board of Massage and Therapy Covid-19 Policy Update
Recent News
DATE: 2023 Newsletter
CBD Oil
Many therapists and massage and bodywork therapy establishments have been calling and writing to find out if they can use or sell CBD oil in their massage and bodywork therapy practices and businesses.
It is legal to grow hemp in NC under certain parameters. In June 2022, the North Carolina Legislature passed a bill that permanently removed hemp, the crop used to produce popular CBD health products, from the state's list of controlled substances.
Therefore, the use of CBD oils and products is no longer a criminal offense in North Carolina, as long as its use adheres to all state and federal standards, is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC by weight.
Hemp products, including CBD oils, have been approved for a few limited uses but they have not been approved widely, or for a wide range of uses.
The Board is not aware of any statement by the Attorney General's Office, the NC Legislature, the NC Courts, nor the NC Department of Agriculture that the use of CBD oils during massage and bodywork therapy sessions is safe for the therapist or the client, particularly with long term use. Likewise, the Board is not aware of any long-range studies that say CBD oils are harmless.
LMBTs are permitted to use or sell legal products. If a LMBT chooses to use or sell CBD products in their practice. The LMBT shall follow the requirements of rules .0502 and .0503. When using CBD products during massage and bodywork therapy sessions, LMBTs must inform the client of the nature, use and purpose of CBD products and obtain the client's written understanding and acknowledgement of such use.
DATE: Winter 2022 Newsletter -North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy
Did you know that many therapists and clients are still wearing masks during sessions? With vaccines and herd immunity, the latest variant is less deadly, but more easily acquired. As a healthcare worker, designated by the CDC, please consider your immune compromised clients and your need to be on the job and not out sick with COVID. Each time you acquire COVID, your chance of long COVID increases.
DATE: May 17, 2021 - Notice to LMBTs RE: Executive Order No. 215
CDC guidelines issued May 13, 2021 and Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 215 issued May 14, 2021 have relaxed the mandate to wear face coverings (masks). The CDC considers massage and bodywork therapy to be health care and Governor Cooper’s Order still requires face coverings in health care settings. Licensed massage and bodywork therapists (LMBTs) provide health care services to the citizens of North Carolina. LMBTs are still required to wear masks when providing massage and bodywork therapy services.
Rule .0510 provides an LMBT may refuse to provide massage and bodywork therapy services to any client they choose. This Rule would allow LMBTs to refuse treatment should LMBTs be concerned about their safety or the safety of their client.
NCDHHS recommends public facing businesses, which includes massage and bodywork therapy businesses and LMBTs: (1) post signage reminding guests to social distance and wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated, (2) remind employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, (3) have a plan to immediately isolate and remove sick workers, and (4) clean high-touch surfaces once a day.
Other parts of Governor Cooper’s EO 215 also apply which still require face coverings by everyone entering or using: child care facilities, children’s day and overnight camps, public or private transportation regulated by the State, State and local correctional facilities. Public and private schools are subject to the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) which currently requires face coverings for all when indoors.
Private businesses may also require face coverings and not be in violation of the Governor Cooper’s EO 215.