§ 12-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Massage: A method of treating the external parts of the human body for comfort or the general well-being of the body or for remedial or hygienic purposes, consisting of rubbing, stroking, kneading, tapping or vibrating with the hand or any instrument.

Massage parlor: Any establishment or place where massages are administered or where any person engages in, conducts or carries on, or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, any business of giving Turkish, Swedish, vapor, sweat, electric, salt, magnetic or any other kind or character of massage, baths, alcohol rub, fomentation, manipulation of the body or other similar procedure. This definition shall not be construed to include a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic or the office of a duly licensed physician, surgeon, physical therapist, chiropractor or osteopath, or to a certified massage therapist who has met the qualifications established in § 54.1-3029 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, and currently is certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing as a certified massage therapist, or barbershops or beauty salons in which massages are administered only to the scalp, the face, the neck or the shoulders.

Massage parlor operator or operator: The person to whom a permit is issued under this chapter for the operation of a massage parlor.

Massage technician: Any person, including, but not limited to, a massage parlor operator, who administers a massage to another person for any form of consideration. This definition shall not include a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, certified massage therapist who has met the qualifications established in § 54.1-3029 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, and currently is certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing as a certified massage therapist, or nurse duly licensed by the commonwealth or other duly licensed or authorized health care personnel administering health services to patients under their care.

(Code 1977, §§ 11-1, 11-19; Res. No. 98-04-09, 4-21-98)

Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.

(Code 1977, §§ 11-1, 11-19; Res. No. 98-04-09, 4-21-98)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.