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Newly updated September 2026. Ethics Refresher provides massage therapists with a practical review of the ethical principles and professional responsibilities that guide safe, respectful, and professional massage therapy practice. The course revisits key areas such as professional boundaries, informed consent, confidentiality, scope of practice, communication, draping, documentation, and ethical decision-making.
This course is designed to help massage therapists recognize common ethical issues, make thoughtful professional decisions, and maintain appropriate boundaries throughout client care.
In This Course, You Will Learn:
Core ethical principles and professional responsibilities in massage therapy
How to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
The importance of informed consent, client autonomy, and confidentiality
Ethical considerations related to draping, touch, communication, and client comfort
Scope of practice and when referral or collaboration may be appropriate
Ethical approaches to documentation, professional conduct, and decision-making
Why Take This Course?
Ethical practice is an ongoing responsibility, not something that ends after initial education. This refresher course provides a concise review of the ethical standards massage therapists encounter in everyday practice and helps reinforce sound professional judgment.
Whether you are renewing your license or simply want to refresh your understanding of professional ethics, this course offers a practical opportunity to review important responsibilities and strengthen ethical decision-making.
Identify fundamental ethical principles relevant to massage therapy practice.
Recognize and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Apply informed consent and confidentiality principles to client interactions.
Identify ethical concerns involving communication, draping, and professional touch.
Distinguish appropriate practice from activities outside the massage therapist's scope.
Apply ethical decision-making principles to common situations in massage therapy.
Recognize the importance of accurate documentation and professional conduct.
Describe when referral or collaboration may be appropriate to support client safety.
Unlimited phone support for course-related questions
The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education, LLC is an Approved Provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); Approved Provider number 409296-00.
Our online massage continuing education courses are also accepted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and most state boards.
For more information on individual state requirements and approvals, please visit our Approvals page and click on your state.
One of the better Ethics classes I've taken over the years. - Lisa B.
This was all around the best online course I've taken. I plan to use the course information to revise and improve my massage practice. Thank you! - Susan Waff
The course was straightforward, and covered a lot of material in just a few pages. It was a nice refresher, and gave clarity on how to handle specific challenging situations. -Erica S., LMT
I appreciate ethics doesn't change that much but there were a couple of new pieces of info that rounded out my interest. - Debbie Pierro
The course was easy to follow. - A. Radcliffe, LMT
I liked the convenience of taking a CEU at home. The price was very cost effective. - N. Vavra, LMT
I liked how clear and concise the course was. It was short and to the point but covered all necessary topics. - Susan Ezrol, LMT
I have been practicing for many years, and I found the course more through than many I've taken. It was well thought out and organized. - C. Parham, LMT
Easy to read and understand. - M. Von Haden
What questions should be considered when determining whether a particular service or technique falls within the scope of practice?
A. Is the service permitted by the laws and regulations that apply to my practice?
B. Have others developed and demonstrated competency in the technique?
C. Can this service be provided in other jurisdictions?
D. Are other therapists in the area performing the same service?
Which of the following is NOT a recommended intake form in this course?
A. Basic personal and contact information
B. Current medical conditions
C. Informed consent
D. Dental records
What does nondiscrimination require in massage therapy practice?
A. Providing exactly the same treatment to every client regardless of individual circumstances
B. Providing professional services without unfairly denying, limiting, or changing care based on a client’s personal characteristics or background
C. Accepting every client request and working to fulfill that request regardless of professional or legal requirements
D. Avoiding discussion of differences between the therapist and client
Course Author
About the Instructor
Corrine Rubida, BS, LMT
Corrine completed her massage therapy training at Gateway College of Massage Therapy in 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration in 2012. She has been practicing and teaching massage therapy since 1997 and currently holds a massage therapy license in South Dakota. She is also a member of the ABMP. In 2002, Corrine founded the Center for Massage Therapy CE to make professional massage continuing education courses available both online and by mail. Since then, she has developed more than 100 home-study massage continuing education courses and has taught live courses for AMTA and the Gateway College of Massage Therapy.
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