Board of Directors Approves Changes to Ethics Program

Recently, the NCBTMB Board of Directors approved several changes to its ethics program. These changes are detailed below:

• The language of Standard I(c) has been removed from the Standards of Practice. Standard I(c) stated that a Certificant should conduct him/herself in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public. The removal of this language focused the scope of the Standards of Practice on professionalism as it relates to the delivery of therapeutic massage and bodywork services. There were no other changes made to the Standards of Practice. There were no changes made to the Code of Ethics.
  
  
• Several changes were made to the Rules and Procedures Regarding the Handling of Ethical and Professional Discipline Complaints relating to the process to appeal an Ethics & Standards Committee decision.
  
  The first change was the implementation of a threshold that all appeals must meet. An individual submitting an appeal must show, from a preponderance of the evidence, that the violation found by the Committee lack any factual basis, or that the sanction, basis of the decision or conclusion was arbitrary, unreasonable or capricious. The burden of proof must be satisfied in the appeal request. If it is not, the appeal will not move forward and be considered by a Board Panel.
  
  Another change is the transition to a written appeals process. Instead of an appellant appearing in person before the Board Panel to present his case, the appellant will be required to present an appeal rationale and all evidence supporting an appeal in writing to the Board Panel. The Board Panel will then consider the request and, if necessary, the appeal. The Board Panel can invite the appellant to the hearing at their discretion.
  
  
• A change was made to the Rules and Procedures Regarding the Handling of Ethical and Professional Discipline Complaints regarding the Ethics & Standards Committee’s roles and responsibilities. The Ethics and Standards Committee was given the responsibility to review complaints submitted to NCBTMB about non-Certificants who are approved to provide continuing education and who have committed an ethical violation relating to the delivery of therapeutic massage and bodywork education. Previously, all complaints were directed to the Continuing Education Panel.