North Dakota Administrative Code: Board Rules in Practice
What the Administrative Code Adds
North Dakota Administrative Code Title 72 implements chapter 43-25. The exam tests the operational layer: application packets, approved education, examination, renewal, continuing education, standards of practice, records, advertising, and disciplinary procedure. Statutes create the Board; the rules tell licensees how to comply day to day.
Core Rules
- Licensure applications require documented completion of an approved massage program, passage of the required examination, fee, and disclosures; incomplete packets are not "pending approval" for practice.
- Renewal is cyclical; licensees must submit the renewal form, fee, and continuing-education attestation by the deadline. Practice on an expired license is unlicensed practice.
- Standards of practice cover informed consent, draping and privacy, hygiene and sanitation, contraindication screening, referral when findings exceed scope, and accurate client records.
- Advertising must be truthful and not imply medical diagnosis or cure. Client records and confidences must be protected.
- The Board investigates complaints; due process includes notice and an opportunity to respond.
Worked Example
A therapist completes 30 hours of continuing education, but 20 are business marketing and only 10 are massage-related. The rule limits how many non-clinical hours count. If the accepted total falls below the required number, the renewal is deficient and the license may lapse. Reasoning: count only categories the rule accepts, keep certificates, and file before expiration.
Traps
Do not assume all CE hours count equally. Do not practice while a renewal is in the mail. Do not use client testimonials without consent or make claims that promise a cure. Do not skip documentation of informed consent and contraindications.