Recent News and Legislative Updates

Massage Apprenticeships Could Be Eliminated in Florida

03/07/2013

Under current Florida law, an applicant is qualified for licensure as a massage therapist if he or she passes an approved exam and either completes a course of study at a school approved by the Massage Therapy Board or completes an apprenticeship program that meets the Board’s standards. Under SB 1334, recently introduced in the Florida state legislature, apprenticeships would no longer serve as a qualification for licensure.

Missouri Bill Would Make Massage Licensure Voluntary

03/07/2013

HB 659, recently introduced in the Missouri legislature, proposes to dramatically alter the state’s massage therapy law by stating that “nothing [within the massage therapy statute] shall require a person engaged in the practice of massage therapy to be licensed,” except that only someone who has obtained a license can call him or herself a “licensed massage therapist.” Therefore, if the bill becomes law, no massage therapist in Missouri will be required to have license in order to practice massage

Rhode Island Will Consider Changes to the Massage Law

03/07/2013

Under current law, Rhode Island massage therapists are regulated directly by the Department of Health. House Bill 5714, introduced in the state legislature on February 27, 2013, would amend Rhode Island’s massage law by placing the regulation of the massage profession under a new State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners operating under the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Health.

Bill Reauthorizing CO Massage Law Moves through State Legislature

02/21/2013

Colorado Senate Bill 151 was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2013.  The bill now goes to the Appropriations Committee for review.  If passed, the bill will extend the Colorado Massage Therapy Practice Act, the law that regulates massage therapists in Colorado, until 2022.  SB 151 does not make any drastic changes to the existing massage law.  The requirements for licensure will be the same as they have been for registration:  500 hours of massage thera

Indiana Bill Would Require Mandatory Licensing for the Practice of Massage Therapy

02/18/2013

Indiana Senate Bill 573 (Landske) was passed by members of the Committee on Public Policy on February 14, 2013. This is the first step in a long legislative process. If passed, the bill would amend the current state certification law to a mandatory practice act. Anyone practicing, or advertising that they practice massage therapy, would be required to obtain a license in order to practice legally in the state.

SD Amendment to HB 1126 Makes Little Difference in Current Law

02/11/2013

HB 1126 was amended during the House floor vote. The amendment changed one word in the entire massage law. The board shall (instead of may) issue a license to engage is the practice of massage to a person who submits an application form and the nonrefundable application fee as approved in § 36-35-17 and who demonstrates the following qualifications…. The qualifications for licensure remained the same.

Oklahoma Bills Would Require that Massage Therapists Become Licensed

02/11/2013

Two bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma state legislature which would require that all massage therapists in Oklahoma have state licenses in order to practice, and that all massage schools have state licenses in order to operate.  Neither bill has been set for hearing in the legislature.  ABMP is opposed to both of these bills unless significant changes are made.

FL Bill Would Impose New Requirements for Massage Establishments

02/11/2013

Florida Senate Bill 500 (and companion bill: House Bill 7005, affecting massage establishments, has been scheduled for a hearing in the state legislature. Current law requires that all massage establishments, defined as “a site or premises, or portion thereof, wherein a massage therapist practices massage,” must have a state-issued license in order to operate.

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