2024 Winter Board Newsletter: CE Requirements, License Renewals, and Disciplinary Actions

C B ofORTH AROLINA OARDM & B ASSAGE ODYWORKTNHERAPY

Regulating the practice of massage and bodywork therapy and its educational institutions, for the protection of the public.

2024 NEWSLETTER Top Reminders Message from the Board Chair, Robert Reeves, LMBT 1. Keep the Board informed of any changes to your mailing address and email address so you will receive all Board correspondence.

Greetings to all, 2. All Board meetings are open to the public and are held every other month. The current meeting schedule is on the website under 'Board Information'. It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm and heartfelt 3. Complaints can be filed online at the File A Complaint tab on the Board's welcome to Laura Ford and Nancy Harrell, who joined the website. Board in 2024. Their expertise in massage and bodywork 4. The online renewal is on the Board's website under the Renew Your License will undoubtedly serve as valuable assets as we continue tab. Online renewals end on December 31 at midnight. Renewals after December 31 must include a $75 late fee and be mailed with a letter stating to advance the profession, ensuring it remains both a safe whether or not you have been practicing massage and bodywork therapy in NC and enriching experience for everyone involved. since your license expired.

1. The late renewal fee was removed for renewals submitted after November 1 This year we achieved a significant milestone by and on or before December 31.
   successfully increasing the required education hours to 650. 6. LMBTs must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including a Together, we have also developed a comprehensive rubric minimum of 3 hours of ethics. A minimum of 12 hours must be completed in- classroom. Live webinars are not considered in-classroom. A maximum of 8 to guide institutions in preparing therapists who meet the hours of business management may be completed, should you choose to do so.high standards set by the Board.

2. LMBTs can enter their CE into the online system anytime throughout the year
   by going to the Therapist tab and click on Renew Your License and Continuing As a reminder, please note that it is a requirement for Education Requirements. If you have issues uploading your documentation, license renewal to complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-contact the Board office.

classroom continuing education (CE). A live webinar is 8. LMBTs and establishment owners can verify a license is valid in NC on the online and not considered in-classroom. When selecting a Board's website under the Verify A License tab and searching by their last name or license number.CE provider, ensure they are approved by the NCBTMB, FSMTB, NCCAOM or IASI, and keep a digital copy of 9. LMBTs and establishment owners are required to notify the Board if they know a person is: (1) practicing without a license, (2) violating the Practice your certificate of documentation. Act/Rules and Regulations, (3) charged with certain criminal offenses, or (4) a defendent in a civil lawsuit related to the practice of massage and bodywork therapy.Effective communication is essential. Not only in educating your clients but also in deepening your own understanding 10. LMBTs are required to display their Board-issued original license at their primary place of practice. Licensees providing massage and bodywork therapy of why you chose this meaningful profession. I encourage outside of their primary place of practice must have a Board-issued original you to familiarize yourselves with the Practice Act and license or wallet card available for inspection. A new licensee must receive their original license prior to practicing in NC.Rules and Regulations of the Board to better serve your clients and enhance the integrity of the field. 11. Establishment owners are required to display their Board-issued original license and licenses of all LMBTs to be visible by the public. All persons who provide massage and bodywork therapy services at an establishment shall be Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our currently licensed by the Board. Board members and staff for their unwavering commitment 12. Each LMBT shall work at a location that has an establishment license or at a and service. The impact of your decision and actions in location that is exempt from the establishment licensing requirement.safeguarding the public is immeasurable, and I want to 13. Information regarding establishment licensure is provided on the Board's ensure that your dedication does not go unnoticed. Your website under the Establishment tab.contributions are truly valued. In Light and Love, IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the Chair ............................................................1

Top Reminders...............................................................................1Robert Reeves

New Board Members and Officers ........................................2LMBT 14425, ChairBoard Requests Your Email Address .....................................2NC Board of Massage and Bodywork TherapyBoard Meeting Dates..................................................................2

Administrative Director's Report............................................2

Licensure of Establishments ................................................. ...3

Practice Act and Rules and Regulations...............................3

Disciplinary Actions........................................................4, 5, & 6

Board Website is your Online Source for Information..... 7

NEW BOARD MEMBER NEW BOARD OFFICERS

The Board, at its December 2024 meet-

The Honorable Tim Moore, Speaker of the House, appointed Laura Ford of ing, elected the following officers:Wake County to the LMBT position preivously held by Rachael Crawford. Her term began on July 1, 2024 and will end June 30, 2027. The Honorable Chair - Amy SwinkPhil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, appointed Nancy Har- rell of Chatham County to the LMBT position previously held by Valory Vice Chair - Robert Reeves Hicks. Her term began on November 20, 2024 and will end June 30, 2026.

Treasurer - Kay Warren

Laura Ford: Laura Ford is the co-owner of Hands On Health LLC, a massage therapy KEEP INFORMATION practice located in Cary NC. She has been a certified massage therapist UP TO DATEsince 1996 and licensed since NC LMBT inception in 2000. In 2008, she became a provider of approved continuing education with the National To optimize communications between Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. In 2013, her the Board and licensees, please up-professional background and experience qualified her to teach 1st, 2nd, and

date your current email address at the 3rd year students in a bachelor's program at the New Zealand College Of Massage as a visiting educator. This opportunity gave her a global view of Update Your Record tab on the Board's the profession and an experience that she will forever cherish. website www.bmbt.org. She has been a massage and bodywork business owner since 1999 and joined with a business partner in 2004. Together, they have built a NC 2025 BOARD MEETING DATESlicensed establishment in west Cary that currently supports 13-15 massage therapist employees. Their mission directly addresses a desire to represent the profession positively: Hands On Health aims to represent that mas- February 13, 2025sage therapy can stand on its own as a contributory profession that helps April 17, 2025people in our neighborhood feel better and stay well.

June 12, 2025

She wishes to continue to show up as one of her profession's passionate August 21, 2025 leaders and she is eagerly anticipating an opportunity to serve on the Board October 16, 2025Of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. December 11, 2025 Nancy Harrell: Board meetings are currently being

conducted via Webex and in person in Nancy Harrell, LMBT, is happy to be back, serving on the Board. A proud the large conference room on the 4th North Carolina native, she grew up in Durham before living and working floor of the GlenLake One building at in Wake County for many years and more recently moving to Chatham 4140 ParkLake Avenue, Raleigh, NC County. 27612. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m.

and are open to the public. The Webex After graduating from massage therapy school in 2003, Nancy started meeting information is posted on the working as a massage therapist and soon learned that her true passion in the Board's website under Board Informa-field was in educating future therapists. Nancy was an instructor and the tion & Board Meetings page. There is a Massage Therapy Program Director at Miller-Motte College in Cary for 10 15 minute period of Public Comment at years and is currently the Director of the massage program at Wake Tech the end of each meeting. Those inter-Community College. Through her interest in curriculum development, she ested in addressing the Board during has also assisted several other community colleges around the state start Public Comment must sign up before their Massage Therapy programs as well. or during the meeting. From 2015-2021, Nancy served on the Board, participating in numerous committees and fulfilling various roles. In addition, she also volunteered ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) as an

LMBT licenses currently active ....... 9,547MBLEx item writer and in assisting with content development of the exam.

Total LMBT licenses issued through In her spare time, you can find her reading, working out at the gym, or learning something new.12/31/2024.............22,371

Nancy currently lives in Pittsboro with her cat and dog fur babies. Total Establishment licenses issued

through 12/31/2024.............647

Licensure of Establishments

The Board began the process of licensing establishments in August 2021. More than 1,500 persons have requested ap- plications, more than 750 applications have been submitted and more than 640 licenses have been issued as of December 31, 2024.

Please be aware:

The Establishment License is for the location (site or premises) where the massage and bodywork therapy services are provided. All persons who provide massage and bodywork therapy services at the location of the Establishment are required to be currently licensed by the Board and in good standing. Every LMBT is required to either work at a location that has an Establishment License, or at a location that is exempt from the licensing requirement. If an LMBT is working at an Establishment that is not licensed by the Board or exempt, the LMBT is in violation of the Practice Act and subject to disciplinary action. If an Establishment allows non-LMBTs to provide massage and bodywork therapy services, the Establishment owners and operators are in violation of the Practice Act and subject to disciplinary action. Every LMBT should make sure the Establishment where they work has an Establishment License issued by the Board. If the Establishment does not have a license issued by the Board, the LMBT shall not provide massage and bodywork therapy services at the Establishment and shall report the Establishment to the Board. If an LMBT or Establishment Owner believes an Establishment is operating without a license, please email admin@bmbt. org with the name, address, website and owner's name, if available, so Board staff can contact the Establishment.

Practice Act and Rules and Regulations

The Board's Practice Act was signed into law by Governor James B. Hunt on November 6,

1. The Board's authority is derived from the NC Legislature and the Practice Act. Only the Legislature can change the Practice Act. The Board is authorized by the Practice Act to create Rules and Regulations to implement the requirements of the Practice Act. The Rules and Regulations can be amended by the Board through the rule-making process. All Rules must be reviewed and approved by the North Caro- lina Rules Review Commission. In July 2024, the NC Legislature amended the Practice Act to increase the massage and body- work therapy education hours from 500 to 650. At its August meeting, the Board considered changes to its Rules and Regulations to implement the change in educational hours and to amend the late renewal process for establishments. The amendments to Rules .0201, .0204, .0620, .0623, .0627 and .1012 were approved by the Rules Review Commission in January for an effective date of February 1, 2025. The amendments to the Practice Act and Rules and Regulations can be found on the Board's website under the Document Center and Practice Act/Rules tabs. Most recent changes included:

• Increase from 500 to 650 classroom hours of supervised instruction
• Curriculum breakdown in Rule .0620(2)
• Amending the late renewal process for an establishment license

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD FROM JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024

The Board is authorized to investigate complaints and institute disciplinary actions, as set forth in Section .0900 of the Rules.

HEARINGS BEFORE THE BOARD: William Gross - Prior to a hearing scheduled for February 15, 2024, Mr. Gross entered into a Consent Casey Bitz - Following a hearing on February 15, 2024, Order for inappropriate sexual contact with a client regarding failing to ensure the clent's safety, comfort wherein his license was surrendered.and privacy and failing to maintain the confidentiality of the client's protected health information, the Board

Lismary Martinez - Prior to a hearing scheduled for Ordered that Mr. Bitz's license be revoked and he pay a February 15, 2024, Ms. Martinez entered into a Consent civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $1000. Order for practicing with an expired license wherein her license was placed on probation for one year and she Chad McCarter - Following a hearing on April 18, agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.2024, regarding failing to ensure the client's safety, comfort and privacy, engaging in imporoper and draping

Ioan Meszaros - Prior to a hearing scheduled for Feb-and inappropriate contact with a client during a massage ruary 15, 2024, Mr. Meszaros entered into a Consent and bodywork therapy session, the Board Ordered that Order for improper draping and inappropriate contact Mr. McCarter's license be placed on probation for one with a client wherein his license was placed on proba-year , complete additional CE and he pay a civil penalty tion for two years and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $250 and costs of $500. of $500 and costs of $500.

Arashdeep Bains - Following a hearing on August 15, Sugelis Neria - Prior to a hearing scheduled for 2024, regarding failing to ensure the client's safety, February 15, 2024, Ms. Neria entered into a Consent comfort and privacy during a massage and bodywork Order for practicing with an expired license wherein therapy session, the Board Ordered that Mr. Bains' her license was placed on probation for one year and license be placed on probation for one year, complete she agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of additional CE and he pay costs of $750. $500.

Justin Whisonant - Following a hearing on August Gregg Policari - Prior to a hearing scheduled for 15, 2024, regarding failing to ensure the client's safety, February 15, 2024, Mr. Policari entered into a Con-comfort and privacy during a massage and bodywork sent Order for failing to ensure the safety, comfort and therapy session, the Board Ordered that Mr. Whisonant privacy, engaging in improper draping and failing to be placed on probation for three months, complete receive informed consent for a client during a massage additional CE and he pay costs of $750. and bodywork therapy session wherein his license was placed on probation for one year and he agreed to pay Christopher O'Malley - Following a hearing on costs of $500.December 12, 2024, regarding inappropriate sexual contact with a client during a massage and bodywork

Brad Virgil - Prior to a hearing scheduled for February therapy session, the Board Ordered that Mr. O'Malley's 15, 2025, Mr. Virgil entered into a Consent Order for license be revoked and he pay a civil penalty of $1000 improper draping and inappropriate conversation with and costs of $1000. a client wherein his license was suspended for three months, placed on probation for two years and he agreed Chongmei Wei - Following a hearing on December to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $750.12, 2024, regarding failing to disclose that she owned/ operated massage businesses in NC, failing to inform the

Austin Allen - Prior to a hearing scheduled for August Board of pending felony charges for continuing criminal 15, 2024, Mr. Allen entered into a Consent Order for enterprise and profiting from promoting prostitution engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a client and violating the conditions of her Conditional License during a massage and bodywork therapy session wherein requiring that she not violate any criminal law in NC his license was surrendered and he agreed to pay a civil or any other state, the Board Ordered that Ms. Wei's penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.license be revoked and she pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $1000.

Laure Ayling - Prior to a hearing scheduled for

August 15, 2024, Ms. Ayling entered into a Consent CONSENT ORDERS:Order for practicing with an expired license wherein her license was placed on probation for one year and Terry Ayers - Prior to a hearing scheduled for Febru- she agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500 and costs of ary 15, 2024, Mr. Ayers entered into a Consent Order $200.for inappropriate sexual contact with a client wherein his license was revoked and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.

Jordy Lopez - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October Haifeng Lin - Prior to a hearing scheduled for August

17, 2024, Mr. Lopez entered into a Consent Order for 15, 2024, Mr. Lin entered into a Consent Order for engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with clients aiding and abetting unlicensed practice at his business during massage and bodywork therapy sessions wherein wherein his license was revoked and he agreed to pay his license was surrendered and he agreed to pay a civil a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500. penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.

Jordy Lopez - Prior to a hearing scheduled for August Jacob Miller - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October 15, 2024, Mr. Lopez entered into a Consent Order 17, 2024, Mr. Miller entered into a Consent Order for for inappropriate sexual contact with clients during failing to ensure the safety, comfort and privacy of a massage and bodywork therapy sessions wherein his client, causing internal bruising and practicing without a license was surrendered until a subsequent Order is license wherein his license was placed on probation for issued. two years and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.Miriah Robinson - Prior to a hearing scheduled for August 15, 2024, Ms. Robinson entered into a Consent

Xiaomei Wan - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October Order for practicing with an expired license wherein 17, 2024 Ms. Wan entered into a Consent Order for aiding her license was placed on probation for one year and and abetting unlicensed practice, not completing health she agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of history and improper draping at her place of business $500. wherein she was placed on probation for one year and she agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.Jason Smith - Prior to a hearing scheduled for August 15, 2024, Mr. Smith entered into a Consent Order for Jessica Lavender - Prior to a hearing scheduled for failing to ensure the safety, comfort and privacy of a December 12, 2024, Ms. Lavender entered into a Consent client during a massage and bodywork therapy session Order for practicing with an expired license wherein she wherein his license was placed on probation for one was placed on probation for one year and she agreed to year and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $350 and pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.costs of $350.

Brenton Roberson - Prior to a hearing scheduled for Jonathan Woolard - Prior to a hearing scheduled for

December 12, 2024, Mr. Roberson entered into a Consent August 15, 2024, Mr. Woolard entered into a Consent Order for engaging in inappropriate contact with clients Order for inappropriate sexual contact with a client wherein his license was surrendered and he agreed to pay while his license was suspended wherein his license a civil penalty of $500 and costs of $500.was surrendered and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.

Julius Smith - Prior to a hearing scheduled for De-

cember 12, 2024, Mr. Smith entered into a Consent Juan Araoz - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October Order for engaging in inappropriate sexual contact 17, 2024, Mr. Araoz entered into a Consent Order for with a client during a massage and bodywork therapy engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with clients session wherein his license was surrendered and he during massage and bodywork therapy sessions wherein agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500 and costs of his license was surrendered and he agreed to pay a civil $250.penalty of $1000 and costs of $500.

Daniel Talavera - Prior to a hearing scheduled for Zachary Campbell - Prior to a hearing scheduled for

December 12, 2024, Mr. Talavera entered into a Con-October 17, 2024, Mr. Campbell entered into a Consent sent Order for engaging in inappropriate contact with a Order for engaging in unprofessional and inappropriate client during a massage and bodywork therapy session conversation and used his license to engage in a personal wherein his license surrendered and he agreed to pay a relationship with a client wherein his license was placed civil penalty of $500 and costs of $250.on probation for two years and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $350 and costs of $350.

Daniel Chase - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October CONDITIONAL LICENSES: 17, 2024, Mr. Chase entered into a Consent Order for engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with clients The License Standards Committee of the Board issued during massage and bodywork therapy sessions wherein twenty-four (24) Conditional Licenses to persons his license was revoked and he agreed to pay a civil whose applications showed evidence of past minor penalty of $1000 and costs of $500. criminal behavior, possibility of practicing without a license, education deficiency or other minor improper John Gale - Prior to a hearing scheduled for October 17, conduct.2024, Mr. Gale entered into a Consent Order for failing to ensure the safety, comfort and privacy of a client during a massage and bodywork therapy session wherein his license was placed on probation for one year and he agreed to pay a civil penalty of $350 and costs of $350.

NOTICE OF POTENTIAL VIOLATION: There were eight (8) Notices served on persons for allegedly practicing without a license or aiding and abetting unlicensed practice and twenty-three (23) No- tices served on businesses upon information they were allowing a person to practice massage and bodywork therapy without a North Carolina license. INDIVIDUALS:

Kayla McKenzie.............................................Charlotte

Sheree Jenson...................................................Zebulon

Diana Da Lupo...............................................Asheville

Official NewsletterKendra Ramirez..............................................Asheville

NORTH CAROLINA BOARD ofJohn Michaels.....................................................Wilson

MASSAGE & BODYWORKDerlis Brito.....................................................Charlotte

THERAPYTammy Drummon-Rowland...................Rutherfordton

Jerome Ikard..................................................Statesville Phone: 919-546-0050

Email: admin@bmbt.orgBUSINESSES:Website: www.bmbt.org

Asian Relaxation........................................Wilmington Offices are located in theSunshine Spa....................................................Concord GlenLake OneEastern Massage.........................................Fayetteville 4140 ParkLake AvenueHarmony Foot Massage..............................Fayetteville Suite 100Healing Massage Spa..................................Fayetteville Raleigh, NC 27612Skin Care and Body Treatment...................Fayetteville

Sunshine Health Spa..........................................Raleigh Members of the Board

Wellness Self Help Spa...............................Fayetteville

Lotus Day Spa.............................................Fayetteville Amy Swink, LMBT

ChairGin Spa.........................................................Greenville

Robert Reeves, LMBTHF Spa..........................................................Burlington

Vice ChairLe's Foot Massage............................................Mebane

Kay Warren, LMBTMystic Massage and Reflexology...............Wilmington

TreasurerSunshine East Foot Spa.....................................Raleigh

Eden Massage.............................................Fayetteville Tawanda Auston, LMBT

Lin's Massage/Echo Spa.............................Fayetteville Laura Ford, LMBTRelax Wellness Spa..........................................Concord Christopher Grubb, MDRan Spa..................................................................Cary Nancy Harrell LMBTHeaven Aroma Massage.......................................Apex Ella PriceRelax Tuina Spa................................................Raleigh

Green Spa....................................................Chapel Hill Board StaffH&H Nail Spa...........................................Sneads Ferry

Oasis Spa...............................................Winston Salem Charles P. Wilkins

Legal CounselDENIAL OF LICENSE: Benjamin E. Thompson, IIIThe Board denied licenses to fourteen (14) applicants. Legal Counsel

Four (4) applicants were denied a license because the curriulum of the massage school they attended did not Elizabeth Kirk meet the Board's minimum requirements: Nonye Ag- Administrative Director basi, Chunhua Dickey, Peixin Dun, Trinity Franklin. Anna PaceEight (8) applicants were denied a license due to lack

Assistant Administrative Directorof moral character and/or not meeting the standards to

be licensed as a LMBT: Dan Cui, Kacey Foster, Jai Elizabeth KirkJin Ko, Kooi Lew, Xiu Li, William Thompson, Robert Newsletter EditorWooten, Haihong Yang. One (1) applicant was denied due to not appearing for an interview: In Bok Lee. One (1) applicant was denied for proficiency in Eng- lish: Zongxian Zhang.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE! www.bmbt.org

The Board Website is your Online Source for Information The website provides an easily accessible source for information on the licensing program and activities of the Board. There are individual pages which give you information about:

• Applying for LMBT Licensure
• Applying for Establishment Licensure
• License Renewals
• Online License Verification
• Update your Personal Profile
• How to Contact the Board
• Board Members and Professional Staff
• Board Meeting Schedule
• Board Approved Schools
• How to File a Complaint
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Links to Other Agencies and Organizations
• News and Announcements A feature, called the DOCUMENT CENTER, is a popular page on the site. From this location, you can view and/or download many of the important documents which are part of the licensing program. These include: Practice Act and Rules Modalities Requiring Licensure in North Carolina Advertising Requirements for LMBTs and Establishments License Information and Application License Renewal Massage Therapy Schools Name Change Form Fee Schedule Formal Complaint Form