Free Washington State Massage Jurisprudence Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Washington State Massage Jurisprudence Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which client request falls outside Washington's definition of massage therapy rather than being a permitted massage activity?

   1. A. Diagnosing the cause of joint pain
   2. B. Evaluating the condition of soft tissues
   3. C. Applying superficial heat or cold
   4. D. Performing myofascial stretching

   Answer: A

   Explanation: RCW 18.108.010(6) excludes diagnosis from the statutory definition of massage therapy, so the therapist may evaluate soft tissue but may not diagnose the cause of the joint pain. Official text: “(6) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, reflexology, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation.”

   Reference: RCW 18.108.010: — RCW 18.108.010(6)

2. 2How many continuing-education hours must a Washington massage therapist complete in each two-year reporting period?

   1. A. 24 hours
   2. B. 12 hours
   3. C. 36 hours
   4. D. 48 hours

   Answer: A

   Explanation: WAC 246-830-475(1) requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years. Official text: “(1) To renew a license, a massage therapist must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, as provided in WAC”

   Reference: WAC 246-830-475: — WAC 246-830-475(1)

3. 3An employer makes a final determination to terminate an LMT for acts that may be unprofessional conduct. What is the statutory reporting deadline?

   1. A. As soon as possible, but no later than 20 days after the determination
   2. B. No later than 30 business days after termination
   3. C. Within 90 days of the next board meeting
   4. D. At the end of the calendar year

   Answer: A

   Explanation: RCW 18.130.080(1)(b)(ii) requires the employer report as soon as possible and no later than 20 days after the determination. Official text: “(ii) All reports required by (b)(i) of this subsection must be submitted to the disciplining authority as soon as possible, but no later than twenty days after a determination has been made. A report should contain the following information, if known:”

   Reference: RCW 18.130.080: — RCW 18.130.080(1)(b)(ii)

4. 4Does Washington's sexual-misconduct prohibition apply when an LMT's conduct with a current client occurs away from the clinic?

   1. A. Yes, it applies inside or outside the health care setting
   2. B. No, it applies only during treatment
   3. C. No, it applies only on business premises
   4. D. Yes, but only when the client pays for the meeting

   Answer: A

   Explanation: WAC 246-16-100(1) prohibits sexual misconduct with a current patient, client, or key party inside or outside the health care setting. Official text: “(1) A health care provider shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in sexual misconduct with a current patient, client, or key party, inside or outside the health care setting. Sexual misconduct shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to:” “(a) Sexual intercourse;” “(b) Touching the breasts, genitals, anus or any sexualized body part except as consistent with accepted community standards of practice for examination, diagnosis and treatment and within the health care practitioner's scope of practice;” “(c) Rubbing against a patient or client or key party for sexual gratification;” “(d) Kissing;” “(e) Hugging, touching, fondling or caressing of a romantic or sexual nature;” “(f) Examination of or touching genitals without using gloves;” “(g) Not allowing a patient or client privacy to dress or undress except as may be necessary in emergencies or custodial situations;” “(h) Not providing the patient or client a gown or draping except as may be necessary in emergencies;” “(i) Dressing or undressing in the presence of the patient, client or key party;” “(j) Removing patient or client's clothing or gown or draping without consent, emergent medical necessity or being in a custodial setting;” “(k) Encouraging masturbation or other sex act in the presence of the health care provider;” “(l) Masturbation or other sex act by the health care provider in the presence of the patient, client or key party;” “(m) Suggesting or discussing the possibility of a dating, sexual or romantic relationship after the professional relationship ends;” “(n) Terminating a professional relationship for the purpose of dating or pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship;” “(o) Soliciting a date with a patient, client or key party;” “(p) Discussing the sexual history, preferences or fantasies of the health care provider;” “(q) Any behavior, gestures, or expressions that may reasonably be interpreted as seductive or sexual;” “(r) Making statements regarding the patient, client or key party's body, appearance, sexual history, or sexual orientation other than for legitimate health care purposes;” “(s) Sexually demeaning behavior including any verbal or physical contact which may reasonably be interpreted as demeaning, humiliating, embarrassing, threatening or harming a patient, client or key party;” “(t) Photographing or filming the body or any body part or pose of a patient, client, or key party, other than for legitimate health care purposes; and” “(u) Showing a patient, client or key party sexually explicit photographs, other than for legitimate health care purposes.”

   Reference: WAC 246-16-100: — WAC 246-16-100(1)

5. 5Without a patient's authorization, to whom may an LMT disclose needed health information for continued care?

   1. A. A person reasonably believed to be providing health care to the patient
   2. B. A contractor performing health care operations under appropriate safeguards
   3. C. A person reasonably able to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat
   4. D. A public-health authority when disclosure is required by law

   Answer: A

   Explanation: RCW 70.02.050(1)(a) permits need-to-know disclosure to a person reasonably believed to be providing health care to the patient. Official text: “(a) To a person who the provider or facility reasonably believes is providing health care to the patient;”

   Reference: RCW 70.02.050: — RCW 70.02.050(1)(a)

6. 6Which hands-on request falls outside Washington's statutory definition of massage therapy?

   1. A. Using passive or active movements within massage practice
   2. B. Mobilizing an articulation with a thrusting force
   3. C. Manipulating superficial soft tissue
   4. D. Applying superficial heat or cold

   Answer: B

   Explanation: RCW 18.108.010(6) excludes attempts to adjust or manipulate articulations and mobilization of articulations by thrusting force from massage therapy. Official text: “(6) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, reflexology, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation.”

   Reference: RCW 18.108.010: — RCW 18.108.010(6)

7. 7What experience must a person providing continuing education have in the subject being taught?

   1. A. At least one year
   2. B. At least three years
   3. C. At least five years
   4. D. At least ten years

   Answer: B

   Explanation: WAC 246-830-475(1) requires a continuing-education provider to have at least three years of professional experience in the subject area. Official text: “Continuing education must be provided by an individual who has at least three years of professional experience in the subject area being taught.”

   Reference: WAC 246-830-475: — WAC 246-830-475(1)

8. 8What is the maximum civil penalty for a license holder's failure to submit the mandatory employer-type report?

   1. A. $250
   2. B. $500
   3. C. $750
   4. D. $1,000

   Answer: B

   Explanation: RCW 18.130.080(4) authorizes a civil penalty not exceeding $500 and also classifies the failure as unprofessional conduct. Official text: “(4) Failure of a license holder to submit a mandatory report to the disciplining authority under subsection (1)(b) of this section is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars and constitutes unprofessional conduct.”

   Reference: RCW 18.130.080: — RCW 18.130.080(4)

9. 9A current massage client proposes consensual sexual intercourse with the therapist. What does the professional-conduct rule require?

   1. A. Accept only outside the clinic
   2. B. Decline because sexual intercourse with a current client is misconduct
   3. C. Accept after documenting consent
   4. D. End the session and accept later that day

   Answer: B

   Explanation: WAC 246-16-100(1)(a) identifies sexual intercourse with a current patient, client, or key party as sexual misconduct; client consent does not excuse it. Official text: “(a) Sexual intercourse;” “(7) Patient, client or key party initiation or consent does not excuse or negate the health care provider's responsibility.”

   Reference: WAC 246-16-100: — WAC 246-16-100(1)(a), (7)

10. 10A billing contractor needs health information for practice operations. What must the LMT reasonably believe before disclosing without patient authorization?

    1. A. The contractor will publish only anonymized details
    2. B. The contractor will use it only for the permitted purpose and protect it appropriately
    3. C. The contractor has worked with the clinic for one year
    4. D. The contractor will return every copy within 30 days

    Answer: B

    Explanation: RCW 70.02.050(1)(b) requires a reasonable belief that the operations recipient will not use or disclose the information for another purpose and will protect it appropriately. Official text: “(b) To any other person who requires health care information for health care education, or to provide planning, quality assurance, peer review, or administrative, legal, financial, actuarial services to, or other health care operations for or on behalf of the health care provider or health care facility; or for assisting the health care provider or health care facility in the delivery of health care and the health care provider or health care facility reasonably believes that the person:” “(i) Will not use or disclose the health care information for any other purpose; and” “(ii) Will take appropriate steps to protect the health care information;”

    Reference: RCW 70.02.050: — RCW 70.02.050(1)(b)