Revised Rules for Massage Clinics and Therapists

Legal basis, rationale, and objectives

The rules are implemented to carry out Section XIII of PD 856 on massage clinics and sauna bath establishments.
The rules establish regulation to ensure only qualified individuals enter the regulated profession and that services are within standards of practice.
The rules aim to upgrade the quality of health services provided by massage facilities to the public.
The rules delineate the scope of functions of massage therapists and the offices responsible for managing the practice.
The rules recognize the specific offices responsible in the management of facilities providing massage services.
The rules instil the essence of compassionate service to the public/clients.

Key definitions used

“Accreditation” means the act of recognition, or the method of determining that an eligible organization, institution, individual, or program complies with approved standards.
“Assessor” means a person with expertise in massage appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) to conduct practical assessment of candidates undergoing the DOH massage therapy oral and practical licensure examination.
“Certificate of Registration (COR)” means a written authorization issued by DOH-CEMT authorizing a person to practice massage therapy as a profession.
“Committee” means the Department of Health Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT).
“Continuing Massage Therapy Education (CMTE)” means acquisition of knowledge, skills, ethical and moral values by a massage therapist after initial registration to improve and enhance technical competence in massage therapy.
“Health Certificate” means a written commendation issued by the city or municipal health officer after passing required physical and medical examinations, including required immunizations and diagnostic tests including X-Ray/Fluoroscopic examination and Stool and other examination required.
“Licensed Massage Therapist” means a trained person who passed the licensure examination, holds a valid COR and license issued by the DOH-CEMT.
“Massage Therapy” means a system of assessment, evaluation, and manual application techniques used scientifically, including adjunctive external application of water, heat and cold, stretching, and passive and active joint movement within the normal physiological range of motion for pain relief, injury rehabilitation, or health improvement.

Committee structure and CMTE council

The Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) is created by the Department of Health through a Department Personnel Order directly under the Secretary of Health.
The CEMT is composed of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and members from: Health Human Resource Development Bureau (Chairperson), Environmental Health Office (Vice-Chairperson), Sanitary engineer (Member), Medical Practitioner (Member), Physical Therapist (Member), Legal officer (Member), and Massage Therapists (Members/Assessors/Facilitators).
Committee members hold office for three (3) years or until successors are appointed and duly qualified, without prejudice to reappointment for another term.
The Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) serves as the Committee Secretariat.

CEMT powers, duties, and allowances

The CEMT must announce, schedule, and hold examinations for massage therapists.
The CEMT must approve or disapprove applications for examination and perform duties pertinent and related to the examinations.
The CEMT must issue licenses to massage therapists who passed the licensure examination and complied with legal requirements.
The CEMT may deny issuance of license to a candidate and may cancel the license of a holder of certificate upon conviction of any criminal offence involving moral turpitude, or if the person is declared unsound mind or physically unfit, or is found violating existing laws, rules, and regulations.
The CEMT must issue certified true copies of lost or damaged licenses for massage therapists.
The CEMT must conduct investigations on sworn complaints against licensed massage therapists and submit findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Health for appropriate action.
The CEMT must accredit institutions, associations, or trainers conducting training programs and review courses for massage therapists.
The CEMT must establish criteria for accreditation of institutions, associations, or trainers that train massage therapists.
The CEMT must cause monitoring of massage therapists/establishments at least twice a year or as necessary for enforcement.
The CEMT must perform functions necessary to regulate, standardize, professionalize, and uplift the practice of massage, and perform related duties assigned by the Secretary of Health for enforcement of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines and these implementing rules.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Members receive a monthly allowance during their term, and are also allowed to receive honorarium as resource speakers/persons under Administrative Order No. 93 s. 2003 (September 23, 2003).
The CEMT must not operate without organization support, since the CEMT Secretariat is served by HHRDB.

CMTEC composition, functions, and honoraria

The Continuing Massage Therapy Education Council (CMTEC) is created by the CEMT in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2008-0031.
The CMTEC consists of three (3) members: a chairperson and two (2) members, assisted by the CEMT Secretariat.
The CMTEC chairperson is designated among the CEMT members.
The first CMTEC member is chosen from DOH-accredited training institutions for massage therapists by the members themselves.
The second CMTEC member is chosen from licensed massage therapists in active practice with a valid certificate of registration and updated license, from among the members of the active organization with the most number of massage therapist members, chosen among the members themselves.
The CMTEC must accept, evaluate, and approve applications for accreditation of CMTE programs, activities, or sources, and must determine the number of CMTE credit units earned based on submitted contents.
The CMTEC must determine the appropriateness of the training fee vis-à-vis the training course/programs/activities/sources.
The CMTEC must monitor implementation of CMTE programs, activities, or sources.
The CMTEC must assess periodically and upgrade criteria for CMTE programs, activities, or sources.
The CMTEC chairperson and two members receive the same compensation/honorarium as resource speakers/persons under Administrative Order No. 93 s. 2003 dated September 23, 2003.

Licensing: examinations, registration, and validity

Massage therapist examinations are conducted any day of the first week of June and December every year.
In exceptional cases, the committee may conduct examinations on other dates as necessary.
Examinations are conducted at the Department of Health, Manila, or at any Department of Health Center for Health Development (CHD) as determined by the committee upon recommendation of the CHD Director.
Applicants for licensure must be Filipino citizens, at least eighteen (18) years old at examination.
Applicants must be of good moral character certified by the Barangay Captain of the community where the applicant resides.
Applicants must submit certification/clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or provincial fiscal that the applicant has not been convicted of any case involving moral turpitude.
Applicants must submit a medical certificate from a government physician stating the applicant is physically and mentally fit.
Applicants must be at least high school graduate.
Applicants must submit a DOH-accredited training provider certificate showing completion of practical massage for at least sixty (60) hours.
Applicants must submit a certificate of training from any DOH-accredited training institution showing instruction on ANA-PHY E (Anatomy & Physiology), PHY (Physiology), PTH (Pathology/Microbiology), MT I (Massage Therapy I: Introduction to Massage Therapy), MT II (Massage Therapy II: Massage Therapy Application), and MT III (Massage Therapy III: Practice of Massage Therapy).
Applications must be submitted to the Committee Secretariat using the prescribed form, duly accomplished and notarized, with three (3) copies of passport size photographs taken within the last six (6) months.
Applicants must pay an examination fee in an amount prescribed by the DOH Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy.
Applications and examination fees (with required documents) must be filed two (2) weeks before the examination date to be included in the list of examinees.
The licensure examination consists of two (2) parts: a written theoretical exam based on the prescribed curriculum, and an oral/practical exam with three phases: (1) pre-massage phase, (2) massage proper, and (3) post-massage phase.
Only those who pass the theoretical examination may take the oral/practical examination.
Examinees who pass the theoretical examination must take the oral/practical examination within one (1) month after official advice; otherwise, theoretical results are deemed cancelled.
Passing requires a general average of 75% in the theoretical examination and a general average of 75% in the oral/practical examination.
Examinees who pass must be issued a Certificate of Registration signed by the CEMT chairperson and approved by the Secretary of Health.
The Certificate of Registration bears the successful examinee’s recent picture and signature.
The Certificate of Registration is valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance.
Registration and miscellaneous fees are paid to the Department of Health.
The Certificate of Registration must be posted conspicuously in the establishment concerned.

Renewal, stamping, reporting, and recordkeeping

A massage therapist must apply for renewal of the certificate and pay miscellaneous fees covering three (3) years on the therapist’s birth month at any Regional Health Office or Center for Health Development.
Renewal applications must present: (a) Health certificate; (b) Current professional tax receipt; (c) Current community tax certificate; (d) receipt of payment of registration and miscellaneous fees covering three (3) years in the amount prescribed by DOH; and (e) certificate of attendance to continuing education/training on massage conducted by accredited institutions/associations/trainers.
When requirements are in order, the certificate is stamped with the notation “VALIDITY UNTIL ________” and the receipt number of the registration fee and the signature of the Regional Health Director are affixed below.
The Regional Health Director concerned must submit the list of massage therapists and their renewed license numbers to the CEMT every last quarter of the year.

Grounds for suspension or revocation

The CEMT and/or the Regional Health Office must recommend to the Secretary of Health the suspension or revocation of the certificate after due investigation if found guilty on any of the following grounds:
- Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offence involving moral turpitude.
- Insanity.
- Fraud in the acquisition or renewal of the Certificate of Registration.
- Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of occupation.
- Addiction to alcoholic drinks and prohibited drugs.
- False or unethical advertisement and practice.
- Physical incapacity impairing performance of duty as a massage therapist.
- Failure to revalidate the certificate of registration for at least five (5) years.
- Other analogous grounds affecting the occupation.

Authorized practice and professional restrictions

Only persons holding a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the Committee and approved by the Secretary of Health may practice massage as a profession in the Philippines.
Qualified or practicing massage therapists are prohibited from using the “Dr.” sign before or the letters “M.D.” after their name in advertising in newspapers, cards, signboards, or any other means of advertisement.
Massage therapists must not engage in any other occupation that infects their hands and may transfer disease to another person; they must inhibit themselves in the practice of massage until cured if so affected.
Massage therapists are prohibited from prescribing any form of drugs or medical therapy.
Massage therapists are prohibited from using or applying substances or preparations containing chemicals or materials detrimental to human health and hygiene when performing massage.
Massage therapists must comply with standard and scientifically accepted procedures and techniques when performing massage.
Massage therapists must possess an annual up-to-date health certificate secured from a DOH-accredited government clinic or hospital.
Massage therapists must clip their health certificate visibly in the upper left portion of uniforms worn while working.
Massage therapists must wear clean working garments when attending to clients.
Massage therapists must wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and apply 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after attending to clients.
Massage therapists may render no more than the proper standard massage to clients.
Massage therapists may render no more than eight (8) hours of work supervision a day.

Career development and minimum pay

The CEMT must formulate and develop a comprehensive Massage Therapy Program in coordination with accredited training institutions and providers and professional organizations.
The Massage Therapy Program must indicate continuing massage therapy education that includes a valid assessment of career performance and potential and must be oriented to upgrading skills in performing massage procedures as determined by the CEMT.
The minimum base pay of licensed massage therapists working in massage clinics, sauna establishments, training institutions, and areas relevant to the profession must not be lower than the prescribed minimum wage by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
For licensed massage therapists working in small establishments, salary adjustments must follow the number of clients per month as per agreement between employer and massage therapist.

Regional Health Director responsibilities

Regional Health Directors/CHD Directors must act on applications for renewal of certificates through Human Resource Development Units (HRDUs).
Regional Health Directors/CHD Directors must submit the list of massage therapists whose licenses were renewed to the CEMT every last quarter of the year.
Regional Health Directors/CHD Directors must recommend to the Secretary of Health through the CEMT the suspension or revocation of certificates of erring massage therapists.

Penal consequences and prosecutions

Any person who violates, disobeys, refuses, omits, or neglects to comply with any provision of these rules; interferes with or hinders or opposes officers/agents/members of DOH or its bureaus and officers in performance of duties under these rules; or tears down, mutilates, defaces, or alters any placard or notice affixed for enforcement must be prosecuted before the Court of Justice as provided in Section 103 (a) and (b) of PD 856.
Massage therapists and other personnel who violate provisions of PD 856 and its IRR must be punished by revocation or suspension of license to practice or must be prosecuted under Section 103 (a) and (b) of PD 856.

Separability, repealing, and effectivity rules

If any rule, section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or word is declared invalid, the other provisions remain in effect.
All rules and regulations inconsistent with these implementing rules are repealed or amended accordingly.
The effectivity is fifteen (15) days after publication in the official gazette or newspaper of general circulation.