Raynor Naturopathic Massage

Reflexology & Foot Massage Regulations in Ohio

Reflexology & Foot Massage Regulations in Ohio

1. State Overview of Reflexology

      • In Ohio, reflexology is regulated as massage therapy. Under Ohio R.C. § 4731.15(e), “massage techniques” expressly include modalities such as reflexology, reiki, and polarity codelibrary.amlegal.com.

      • Anyone offering reflexology services—feet, hands, or ears—must be licensed as a Massage Therapist (MT) by the State Medical Board of Ohio med.ohio.gov.

    2. Ohio Massage Therapist Licensing

    To legally practice reflexology or any soft-tissue modality in Ohio, you must hold an MT license:

    Requirement Details
    Education Completion of an approved massage-therapy program (typically 500 hours minimum) legislature.ohio.gov
    Examination Passage of the MBLEx or a Board-approved equivalent exam
    Background Checks FBI and Ohio BCI criminal record checks; fingerprinting required med.ohio.gov
    Other Prerequisites ≥ 18 years old; high-school diploma or GED; liability insurance; CPR/First Aid certification
    Renewal & Continuing Education Renew biennially with 24 CE hours, including ethics and human-trafficking prevention mandated by SB 105 abmp.com

    Apply & Learn More →
    https://med.ohio.gov/apply-and-renew/licenses-and-certifications/02-massage-therapist-%28mt%29 med.ohio.gov

    https://youtu.be/Z4SL__dzEVU

    3. Reflexology vs. Massage Therapy

            • Reflexology: Targeted pressure on reflex points of feet, hands, or ears—but under Ohio law, it’s a subset of massage therapy.

            • Massage Therapy: Systematic soft-tissue manipulation (kneading, friction, stretching, etc.)—requires the same MT license.

    There is no separate exemption for reflexology; all practitioners must be licensed under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4731 codes.ohio.gov.

    4. Local Establishment & Business Permits

    Beyond state licensure, many Ohio municipalities require massage establishments to register or obtain local permits:

            • Columbus: Massage and bath establishments need a certificate of registration and zoning approval under Chapter 540 library.municode.com.

            • North Olmsted: Massage establishments must hold a registration certificate and comply with health-department inspections codelibrary.amlegal.com.

            • Other Cities (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo): Typically require a business license and may conduct facility inspections.

    Tip: Always verify your city or county clerk’s office for specific local requirements before opening a practice.

    https://youtu.be/WtL0DOZTGqs

    5. Raynor Reflexology Guidance in Ohio

            • Raynor-trained reflexologists must obtain an Ohio MT license to legally offer reflexology techniques.

            • For mobile or brick-and-mortar services, secure any required local establishment permits, and clearly advertise:

              “Certified Raynor Reflexology – Performed by Licensed Massage Therapist.”

            • Our Raynor curriculum remains industry-leading—combine it with your Ohio MT credentials to stay fully compliant.

    Explore Raynor Courses →
    https://www.raynormassage.com/courses/

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    6. Quick Reference Table

    Service Type State License Required? Local Permit Often Required?
    Reflexology (any modality) Yes (MT license) Yes (establishment/business license)
    Massage Therapy (MT) Yes Yes
    Raynor Reflexologists Yes Yes

7. FAQs

Q: Can I practice “foot reflexology” without a license?
A: No—Ohio law classifies reflexology as massage therapy. An MT license is mandatory.

Q: Are there any reflexology-only permits?
A: No. All reflexology services fall under massage-therapy licensing; no separate reflexology license exists.

Q: What’s SB 105 about?
A: Ohio SB 105 (2019) strengthened CE requirements on ethics and human-trafficking prevention for massage therapists abmp.com.

8. Resources & Links

Disclaimer: Laws and local ordinances change. Always verify current requirements with the State Medical Board of Ohio and your local licensing authorities before opening or advertising your practice.

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