Chapter 5.05
PRACTICE OF MASSAGE
Sections:
5.05.020 Massage practitioner’s license required.
5.05.040 Proof of State licensing required.
5.05.050 Violation and penalty.
5.05.010 Definitions.
(1) For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Massage,” “massage treatment” or “massage therapy” means the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue of the body of another including, but not limited to, rubbing, kneading, hitting or any other manipulation whether manually or by the use of equipment, machinery, or appliances, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants or salts. Massage does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force.
(b) “Massage practitioner” means any person giving massages or massage treatments.
(c) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(d) “Authorized health care practitioner” has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 18.74.010(7), i.e., a physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractor, naturopath, podiatrist or dentist licensed by the State of Washington; provided, that massage treatments are within the scope of his State license.
(2) All references herein in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, and the feminine the masculine. All references to the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. (Ord. 610 § 1, 2015)
5.05.020 Massage practitioner’s license required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to practice massage unless:
(1) The massage is given on the licensee’s business premises or on premises which are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 610 § 1, 2015)
5.05.030 Exemptions.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) Authorized health care practitioners or their employees;
(2) Massages given in a private residence when no fee, compensation, or any other consideration is charged or paid, directly or indirectly, for such services;
(3) Massage treatments given in a private residence by a massage practitioner who is administering such treatments pursuant to a written prescription from an authorized health care practitioner;
(4) Athletic coaches or trainers giving massages while affiliated with public or private educational institutions or athletic organizations;
(5) Students enrolled in schools of massage performing therein such practices of massage as are incidental to their course of study;
(6) Massage treatments given in any licensed hospital, licensed nursing or convalescent home;
(7) Licensed beauty operators and barbers who perform only such acts of massage as are customarily given in beauty salons and barber shops for purposes of beautification only. (Ord. 610 § 1, 2015)
5.05.040 Proof of State licensing required.
No massage practitioner’s license or renewal of same shall be issued unless the applicant provides evidence to the satisfaction of the Woodinville Finance Director or his/her designee that he holds a current, valid massage practitioner’s license issued by the State of Washington pursuant to Chapter 18.108 RCW, as now existing or hereafter amended, or otherwise possesses a current, valid professional license issued by the State of Washington pursuant to RCW Title 18, as now existing or hereafter amended, which authorizes him to give massage treatments. A licensee shall notify the Woodinville Finance Director or his/her designee within three business days of receiving any notification from the State of Washington that his license which authorizes him to give massages has been suspended or revoked. Upon receipt of notice from any source that a licensee’s State license has been suspended or revoked, the Finance Director or his/her designee shall suspend or revoke the licensee’s City license until such time as the licensee presents satisfactory proof that his State license has been reinstated. (Ord. 610 § 1, 2015)
5.05.050 Violation and penalty.
Any violation of these requirements shall constitute a violation subject to the provisions of Chapter 1.03 WMC, General Penalty. (Ord. 685 § 9, 2019; Ord. 610 § 1, 2015)