Licensed Massage Therapy Program, Standard and Timing for Drug Screening and Background Checks

General Admission and Immunization Requirements

• Disclosure of the Social Security number is required for admission into the Licensed Massage Therapy Program. Affiliated clinical facilities require the student Social Security number in order to approve placement of student in their facility. The Department of Health Sciences policy requires the student to be eligible to attend all affiliated clinical sites and does not provide special placement. Central Texas College will not locate or provide alternative sites for clinical rotations for students ineligible to attend clinical rotations at the specified sites. Clinical rotations are completed at sites specified by and contracted with Central Texas College.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - American Heart Association – Health Care Provider (BLS) and Military Training Network (MTN) are the only CPR courses that will be accepted. Please furnish the original card and a photocopy (front and back) – online certifications are not accepted. A current CPR card is also required for Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation massage therapy licensing application process.
• Sign a release of information for the Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen results if negative to be released to the facilities to which the student is assigned for clinical experiences during enrollment in the program.
• Sign a statement agreeing to acknowledge:

  - Inform the CTC LMT Program Director or designee if criminal activity or substance abuse occurs after the initial criminal background check and drug screen is completed.

  - Inform the CTC LMT Program Director and/or designee of any mental or physical condition, illness, injury, surgery, pregnancy, etc. that would result in a change of the physical limitations status. Safety is a priority for the patient and health and well-being of students and faculty. Failure to inform the program may result in immediate withdrawal from the course or program.

  - A “for cause” Drug Screen at the student’s own expense when the student’s performance, conduct, or other action indicates possible substance use.

  - Neither the college nor clinical facilities provide medical coverage or workmen’s compensation for emergency illness or injury. Medical coverage is the responsibility of the student.

  - Provide a Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, naturalization certificate, permanent alien card or other documents if required by the clinical facility.

Licensed Massage Therapy Program Immunization Requirements follow Center for Disease Control and Department of Health Sciences Nursing Standards:

Mandatory Immunizations:

• Source: Texas Administrative Code (TAC): Department of State Health Services, Title 25 Health Services, Rule 97.64 (May 25, 2010) and Title 25 Health Services, Rule 97.65 (March 5, 2009) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Required Vaccinations for Students Enrolled in Health-related and Veterinary Courses in Institutions of Higher Education:
• Students cannot be enrolled without completing all required immunizations.

Immunization Requirements

**AFTER you are notified of selection to the Licensed Massage Therapy Program, complete the immunization requirements identified in the StudentCheck Registration Packet prior to enrollment for the first semester. Upload your immunization documents into StudentCheck for review and validation.

• Tetanus/Diphtheria Tdap Must be noted as administered once in lifetime- If no record then student will need to get a Tdap. If a Tdap was administered, then Td is required every ten years.
• Polio Students enrolled in health-related courses are encouraged to ascertain that they are immune to poliomyelitis.
• Measles Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to measles) 
• Mumps Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to mumps).
• Rubella Two doses required. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to rubella).
• Hepatitis B  Students must complete the Hepatitis B series which consists of a documented series of three vaccinations or two vaccinations of Heplisav-B (HepB-CpG). The three shot series of injections are administered over a 6-month period of time; two doses of Heplisav-B are given 1 month apart, please plan accordingly! Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to Hepatitis B). 
• Tuberculosis Documentation of negative screening results for tuberculosis (TB) is required. Students must complete one of the following TB tests no more than 30 days prior to the 1^st day of the 1^st clinical rotation period at any facility: 2-Step Tuberculin Skin Test; QuantiFERON®-TB Gold inTube test (QFT-GIT or Q-Gold) or T-SPOT®TB test (T-Spot). Thereafter a 2-Step Tuberculin Skin Test; QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT or Q-Gold) or T-SPOT®TB test (T-Spot) is required annually. Those who have had a previous positive TB skin test result will be required to submit a negative chest x-ray completed within thirty (30) days preceding first day of first clinical rotation period at any Facility. There after an annual negative chest x-ray will be required through program completion.
• Varicella Must receive two doses of varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. Serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable (titer completed and interpreted as immune to varicella).
• Influenza Must show current flu season vaccination no later than October 1st; those admitted in Spring semesters must receive the current season flu shot no later than two weeks prior to the program start date and will be required to receive another vaccination for the upcoming flu season no later than October 1st
• Bacterial Meningitis The Texas legislature passed a law requiring ALL entering students at institutions of higher education to have an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster during the five-year period preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first day of the first semester or submit an affidavit for an exemption. Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster. (See CTC Catalog Admissions and Registration section for exceptions)

Not that additional immunizations and/or health requirements may be required by the clinical site based on its rules and regulations.

Currently many or all clinical sites are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to include documentation of the 2-dose Moderna or Pfizer, or 1-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine before entry into the facility as a clinical student.  Students should expect this facility requirement to continue.

Rule 97.65 Exceptions to Immunization Requirement (Verification of Immunity/History of Illness).

• Serologic confirmations of immunity (serum titers) to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, or Varicella, are acceptable. Evidence of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Hepatitis B, or Varicella illnesses must consist of a laboratory report that indicates either confirmation of immunity or infection