NCBTMB Professionalism, Ethics, and Law 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client becomes emotionally dependent on their massage therapist and begins calling outside business hours. The therapist should:
- Answer calls to support the client's wellbeing
- Gently reinforce professional boundaries and limit contact to session times (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
- Refer the client to a psychiatrist without explanation
Correct answer: Gently reinforce professional boundaries and limit contact to session times
Therapists must maintain clear professional boundaries while doing so respectfully, which protects both parties.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics?
- To set state-by-state licensing fees
- To provide guidelines for professional conduct and client relationships (Correct answer)
- To establish reimbursement rates for insurance billing
- To define the physical techniques permitted in massage
Correct answer: To provide guidelines for professional conduct and client relationships
The NCBTMB Code of Ethics establishes standards for professional behavior, client care, and integrity in the field.
Question 3: A therapist notices signs of child abuse on a minor client. In most US states, the therapist is:
- Permitted but not required to report
- Ethically obligated but legally exempt from reporting
- A mandatory reporter required by law to report suspicions (Correct answer)
- Only required to report if the parent consents
Correct answer: A mandatory reporter required by law to report suspicions
Most states classify healthcare workers, including massage therapists, as mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship in massage therapy?
- Treating a client who was referred by another therapist
- Providing massage to your own family member for compensation (Correct answer)
- Accepting a client from a different therapeutic discipline
- Working in a multi-therapist practice
Correct answer: Providing massage to your own family member for compensation
A dual relationship occurs when the therapist holds two different roles with the same person, such as therapist and family member.
Question 5: Scope of practice in massage therapy is primarily defined by:
- Each individual therapist's training level
- State law and licensing regulations (Correct answer)
- The NCBTMB alone
- The client's insurance plan
Correct answer: State law and licensing regulations
State law and licensing regulations legally define what massage therapists are permitted to do within their jurisdiction.
Question 6: A therapist wants to use a new technique learned at a workshop but has not yet practiced it sufficiently. Proceeding on clients would violate which ethical principle?
- Justice
- Autonomy
- Competence (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Competence
Therapists are ethically obligated to practice only within areas where they are competent, meaning adequately trained and skilled.
Question 7: A client requests that their records not be shared with their insurance company. The therapist should:
- Share the records anyway to receive payment
- Honor the request and explore self-pay options with the client (Correct answer)
- Deny the request because insurers have automatic access
- Require the client to sign a waiver of all privacy rights
Correct answer: Honor the request and explore self-pay options with the client
Clients have the right to restrict disclosure of their health information; the therapist should respect this and discuss alternative payment arrangements.
NCBTMB Professionalism, Ethics, and Law 3
A client becomes emotionally dependent on their massage therapist and begins calling outside business hours.
The therapist should: