I have been researching the state boards and licensing issues in the states so that I could include some of the information in my website as to what it is like to practice in each state.
I found an interesting section on some states websites about the disciplinary actions they are taking against massage therapists and the reasons they are taking them. I also just read that the new FSMT is planning on having a national database to track people who violoate the laws.
We could get in to the issues regarding the law and do we even need laws to protect the public from harm as many of the laws think they are doing, but I’ll put that in a separate page on my other blog www.thebodyworker.com
Here are some of the findings of what massage therapists are getting in trouble for:
In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Yong Yan. He allegedly performed massage therapy to the public and presented a business card offering massage therapy. Yong Yan is also known as Bill Yan. He is not licensed as a health care provider.In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Aubrey Hart Sparks. He allegedly advertised and represented himself as a massage therapist. Sparks does not have a license to perform massage.
In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Myong Chow. Chow allegedly performed massage on a client in exchange for money; Chow does not have a license to practice massage.
In July 2006 the Massage Program denied the application of Lee A. Erhart to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008524). He was convicted of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Jung Kyu Park. Park allegedly performed massage on multiple clients at Newlife Fitness and Spa in Lynnwood. Park does not have a license to practice massage. Jung Kyu Park is also known as Chung Kyu Park.
In June 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program amended a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Faith He. While working at Salon Domani, Bellevue, she allegedly administered an injection under a patient’s skin. Other allegations against her include representing herself as a registered nurse and advertising she provided acupuncture and massage services at the salon. She does not have a credential to practice as a health care provider in Washington.
Allegations of sexual misconduct led the Washington State Department of Health to immediately suspend the license of Charlie Cheng, a massage therapist in Seattle (MA00004389). This action, called a summary suspension, means Cheng cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington, pending the outcome of a hearing.
According to the statement of charges, Cheng engaged in sexual misconduct with a client including inappropriately touching her breasts and genital area. In 2000 Cheng was charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly touching three female clients in a sexual manner. These charges resulted in an Agreed Order in which Cheng agreed to restrictions of his license, including notifying female patients they can request a chaperone during treatment.
In June 2006 the Massage Program charged Lee A. Erhart, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008524), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and allegedly concealed the conviction on his application.
In June 2006 the Massage Program charged Myong Pang, a massage practitioner (MA00018747), with unprofessional conduct. Pang was the owner and/or operator of Classic Body Tonic Spa, where she allegedly allowed an unlicensed person to perform massages and sexual acts on a client.
The Washington State Department of Health has revoked the license of Sumner massage therapist John Wiley (MA00008270) for seven years on charges of sexual misconduct. Wiley cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington.
Wiley committed unprofessional conduct by having inappropriate sexual contact with several female clients including exposing and touching clients’ breasts, genitals and buttocks. He also made inappropriate sexual comments to the clients. His license was immediately suspended in January 2006.
Wiley may not reapply or request modification of the Agreed Order for seven years. Before he can ask to resume practice as a massage therapist, he will be required to undergo an evaluation by a certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider and meet other conditions to assure safe and competent practice.
In May 2006 the Massage Program amended a statement of charges against Emily S. Suttle, a massage practitioner (MA0014703). She is charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly attempting to obtain a controlled substance from a patient and pretending to be a patient to obtain controlled substances.
In May 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Gary T. Kiyonaga (MA00015721) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched a client’s genital area during a massage.
In May 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Maria Gent. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of massage and stop representing herself as a massage therapist. While working at DTM & Luxury Foot Spa in Bremerton, Gent represented herself as a massage practitioner and gave massages to clients.
In May 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner M. Esther Chandler (MA00016260) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.
In April 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Zhang “Dana†Zhiqin (MA00020235) on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Zhiqin knowingly allowed unlicensed employees to perform massages on clients.
In March 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Heather N. Mignone (MA00017863) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder and concealed the convictions on her application. She is also charged with having a sexual relationship with a patient.
In March 2006 the Massage Program revoked the license of massage practitioner Heather N. Mignone (MA00017863) for 10 years. He was convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder.
In March 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Randall L. Kenyon (MA00013417) on probation for five years. He must comply with terms and conditions. Kenyon touched a client in a sexual manner during a massage.
In March 2006 the Massage Program granted Sonja M. Gleason a license to practice massage (CA00007687). Her license is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. Gleason has several criminal convictions, including possessing stolen property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine.
In March 2006 the Massage Program granted Sonja M. Gleason a license to practice massage (CA00007687). Her license is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. Gleason has several criminal convictions, including possessing stolen property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine.
In February 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Michelle Granger. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of massage. Granger has practiced massage and represented herself as a massage practitioner and she holds no credential to practice massage.
A Kirkland massage therapist has been revoked from practice after failing to respond to charges of sexual misconduct. The state Department of Health has revoked the license of Marques Garcia (MA00020765) for 10 years.
Garcia’s license was immediately suspended in February 2006 for sexual misconduct charges; he failed to respond or request a hearing. Garcia was employed as a personal trainer at a fitness center in Kirkland and had a personal training gym and massage table in his home. He engaged in sexual misconduct with a client during massage and personal training sessions at his residence and while at a nearby park. This included kissing the client and inappropriately touching and exposing her breasts and genital area during a massage.
In February 2006 the Massage Program withdrew a statement of charges against Craig S. Martindale, a massage practitioner (MA00019191).
In February 2006 the Massage Program charged Emily S. Suttle, a massage practitioner (MA00014703), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include asking a patient to give her a controlled substance from the patient’s personal prescription
In February 2006 the Massage Program granted the application of Jarrid D. Horn for reactivation of his license to practice as a massage practitioner (MA00008352). His license is placed on probation for two years and he must comply with terms and conditions. Horn was convicted of violating the uniform controlled substance act
In February 2006 the Massage Program vacated a Final Order with Zhang “Dana” Zhiqin, a massage practitioner (MA00020235). There are pending charges of unprofessional conduct against him
In January 2006 the Massage Program charged Jarrid D. Horn, a candidate for reactivation of his expired massage practitioner license (MA00008352), with unprofessional conduct. In 2002, he was convicted of violating the uniform controlled substances act. In February 2003, the program accepted an agreed order, in which he admitted the conviction. The reactivation was granted and his license is on probation for two years. He must comply with terms and conditions.
In January 2006 the Massage Program charged Joo H. Badgley, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008073), with unprofessional conduct. She was arrested and charged with prostitution
Charges of sexual contact with clients have led the Washington State Department of Health to revoke the license of Wenatchee massage therapist Richard Oaks (MA00018032). The revocation will be in place for 20 years and prohibits Oaks from practicing or being employed as a massage therapist in Washington.
Oaks admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with clients, including touching their breasts and genitals, engaging in oral sex with more than one client and masturbating four to five clients and himself during massage sessions. Oaks also had affairs with at least four clients.
In January 2006 the Massage Program indefinitely suspended the license of Zhang “Dana†Zhiqin, a massage practitioner (MA00020235). She knowingly allowed unlicensed people to perform massages on clients at the spa she owned and operated
In December 2005 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Randall L. Kenyon (MA00013417) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched a client in a sexual manner.
The Washington State Department of Health has immediately suspended the license of John Wiley, a Sumner massage therapist (MA00008270) on allegations of sexual misconduct. This action, called a summary suspension, means Wiley cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington, pending the outcome of a hearing.
According to the statement of charges, Wiley engaged in sexual misconduct with 11 clients during massage sessions. The allegations of the misconduct include inappropriately exposing and touching clients’ breasts, genitals and buttocks and making inappropriate sexual comments to clients. Wiley also physically grabbed a client.
