NCBTMB Ethics, Laws, and Business 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship that would violate professional ethics?
- Treating a client referred by a colleague
- Providing massage services to your spouse (Correct answer)
- Accepting a client from a different city
- Offering a senior citizen discount
Correct answer: Providing massage services to your spouse
Treating immediate family members or romantic partners creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and professional boundaries.
Question 2: Under NCBTMB standards, how long must a massage therapist typically retain client records?
- 1 year after the last session
- At least 4 years, or as required by state law (Correct answer)
- Until the client requests destruction
- Records do not need to be retained
Correct answer: At least 4 years, or as required by state law
NCBTMB recommends retaining client records for at least four years, though therapists must also comply with any longer state-mandated retention periods.
Question 3: A client asks the therapist to sign a form stating that massage cured their chronic condition. The therapist should:
- Sign the form to support the client
- Refuse and explain that such claims exceed scope of practice (Correct answer)
- Contact the client's physician first
- Sign only if the client has been seen more than 10 times
Correct answer: Refuse and explain that such claims exceed scope of practice
Claiming to cure medical conditions exceeds the scope of practice for massage therapists and constitutes fraudulent documentation.
Question 4: What is the most important reason for a massage therapist to document session notes immediately after each treatment?
- To bill insurance companies accurately
- To ensure accuracy and provide a legal record of care (Correct answer)
- To share with other clients as examples
- To satisfy social media content needs
Correct answer: To ensure accuracy and provide a legal record of care
Prompt documentation ensures accuracy of clinical findings, supports continuity of care, and creates a defensible legal record.
Question 5: Which ethical principle requires a massage therapist to respect a client's right to make decisions about their own care?
- Beneficence
- Non-maleficence
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Autonomy
Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes a client's right to make informed decisions about their own health care.
Question 6: If a massage therapist moves to a new state, what must they do before practicing?
- Continue practicing under their previous state license
- Notify NCBTMB of the address change only
- Obtain licensure in the new state as required by that state's laws (Correct answer)
- Retake the NCBTMB exam in the new state
Correct answer: Obtain licensure in the new state as required by that state's laws
Massage therapy licensure is state-specific; therapists must meet the new state's licensing requirements before practicing there.
Question 7: A therapist who advertises services they are not qualified to perform is violating which principle?
- Veracity (Correct answer)
- Non-maleficence
- Justice
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Veracity
Veracity (truthfulness) requires honest representation of qualifications and services; false advertising violates this core ethical principle.
NCBTMB Ethics, Laws, and Business 4
Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship that would violate professional ethics?