Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 59-4200.5: License requirements – Definitions

A. Between the effective date of this act and May 1, 2017, the

State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering shall issue a license to

practice massage therapy to any person who files a completed

application, accompanied by the required fees, and who submits

satisfactory evidence that the applicant:

1. Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

2. Has one or more of the following:

a. documentation that the applicant has completed and

passed a nationally recognized competency examination

in the practice of massage therapy,

b. an affidavit of at least five (5) years of work

experience in the state, or

c. a certificate and transcript of completion from a

massage school with at least five hundred (500) hours

of education;

3. Provides proof of documentation that the applicant currently

maintains liability insurance for practice as a massage therapist;

and

4. Provides full disclosure to the Board of any criminal

proceeding taken against the applicant including but not limited to

pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or receiving a conviction

for, a felony crime that substantially relates to the practice of

massage therapy and poses a reasonable threat to public safety.

B. To assist in determining the entry-level competence of an

applicant who makes application for a license after May 1, 2017, the

Board may adopt rules establishing additional standards or criteria

for examination acceptance and may adopt only those examinations

that meet the standards outlined in Section 4200.8 of this title.

C. 1. After May 1, 2017, except as otherwise provided in the

Massage Therapy Practice Act, every person desiring to practice

massage therapy in this state shall be required to first obtain a

license from the Board.

2. After May 1, 2017, the Board may issue a license to an

applicant who:

a. is at least eighteen (18) years of age,

b. provides documentation that the applicant has

completed the equivalent of five hundred (500) hours

of formal education in massage therapy from a state-

licensed school,

c. provides documentation that the applicant has passed a

nationally recognized competency examination approved

by the Board,

d. provides proof that the applicant currently maintains

liability insurance for practice as a massage

therapist, and

e. provides full disclosure to the Board of any criminal

proceeding taken against the applicant including

pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or receiving a

conviction for, a felony crime that substantially

relates to the practice of massage therapy and poses a

reasonable threat to public safety.

D. As used in this section:

1. "Substantially relates" means the nature of criminal conduct

for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the

fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or

responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and

2. "Poses a reasonable threat" means the nature of criminal

conduct for which the person was convicted involved an act or threat

of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or ability

to serve the public or work with others in the occupation.