Fingerprinting for Spa Directors
by Crystal A. Howard, FSMTA Executive President
With recent changes to Florida Massage Establishment Laws & Rules, there have been more questions regarding requirements that directly involve spa management. The most common concern of late is the fingerprint requirement. While it can seem like a considerable amount of information, spending time becoming familiar with the FL Board of Massage Therapy website will be to your advantage. There are many resources for any questions you may have and included here are some helpful links.
License Massage Therapists (LMTs) are required to submit fingerprints as part of their initial licensing process. Massage Establishment owners are required to do the same, unless they are an LMT (because this information has already been obtained). If you are the Spa Manager/Director you may be required to submit your fingerprints as well. According to the Florida Massage Therapy Practice Act,
480.043 Massage establishments; requisites; licensure; inspection; human trafficking awareness training and policies.—
- (2) An establishment owner shall comply with the background screening requirements under s. 456.0135. However, if a corporation submits proof of having more than $250,000 of business assets in this state, the department shall require the establishment owner, the designated establishment manager, and each individual directly involved in the management of the establishment to comply with the background screening requirements under s. 456.0135. The board may adopt rules regarding the type of proof that may be submitted by a corporation.
Once your fingerprints have been submitted, you will not need to resubmit them if you retain your fingerprint information every 5 years through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. All of this can be found through the Florida Department of Health and Florida Board of Massage Therapy websites.
https://floridasmassagetherapy.gov/forms/electronic-fingerprinting-form.pdf