Recent News and Legislative Updates

Idaho Bill Would Regulate Massage Therapists

02/17/2011

Senate bill 1078 has been introduced in the Idaho Senate. If passed, the bill would require massage therapists to become licensed by the state and establish a Board of Massage Therapy to implement the process. The bill would set minimum training requirements, define a scope of practice, provide an avenue for consumer complaint, and pre-empt local regulations. For a period of two years, existing practitioners would be able to qualify for a state license by meeting one of the following criteria:

    California Members, Now Is A Great Time To Apply For CAMTC Certification

    02/10/2011

    ABMP recently sent a postcard to members on behalf of the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). This is a great time to apply for CAMTC certification for several reasons:
    • The initial rush of applicants is over. Application processing is efficient; you can expect your certification approximately 60 days after submitting your application (provided there are no issues with your school records and background check report).

    VT Office of Professional Regulation Releases Opinion on Regulation of Massage

    01/21/2011

    As previously reported, ABMP helped develop a Sunrise Application for the state of Vermont last year. The sunrise process is a preliminary assessment of the massage therapy profession conducted by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) to determine whether, in its opinion, the profession should be regulated by the state. The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) has recommended that Massage Therapists not be subject to professional regulation in the State of Vermont. OPR cited the following reasons for not recommending state regulation for massage therapy:

      Action Needed: NJ Board of Massage and Bodywork, your input is requested.

      01/19/2011

      The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has been working to draft proposed rules and regulations to implement the law passed by the legislature in January 2008. When fully implemented, the law will change the regulation of massage therapists in New Jersey from a voluntary title protection to a mandatory practice act. All massage therapists (and certain bodyworkers) will be required to obtain a state license to practice. How the board interprets and implements the law passed in 2008 is a very important step in the process.

      Maryland Considering Changes to Massage Therapy Regulations

      01/12/2011

      SUGGESTED ACTION STEPS FOR MEMBERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS NOTICE – DEADLINE JANUARY 18, 2011 The Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners is promulgating rules to implement the changes in the law enacted by the Legislature in October 2008. Some of the changes suggested are fundamental housekeeping items, such as name change (for example, the board will be known as the Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners). Others, however, are more substantial in nature and are cause for concern. Specifically, ABMP has concern about the following changes or oversights:

        Kansas Meetings on Massage Regulation Scheduled

        01/03/2011

        As previously reported, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Kansas chapter submitted a sunrise document, essentially an assessment and overview of the profession focusing on whether there is a need to license massage therapists in Kansas, to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The KDHE Occupational Credentialing Technical Review Committee (Committee) has been appointed to review the document in a series of four meetings.

        Wisconsin Licensure Applications Due December 1, 2010

        11/11/2010

        The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) is now accepting applications for licensure. All massage therapists are required to become licensed by December 1, 2010 in order to continue practicing. This is a very tight deadline but the good news is, if you are diligent in filling out the application properly, the DRL processing time is 2-3 days. Submit the application as soon as possible and you will not have a problem becoming licensed by December. Transitioning Your State Certification to a State License

        Vermont Public Hearing Scheduled

        10/14/2010

        As previously reported, ABMP recently helped develop a Sunrise Application for the state of Vermont. The sunrise process is a preliminary assessment of the massage therapy profession conducted by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) to determine whether, in its opinion, the profession should be regulated by the state. The OPR decision will be based purely on public safety concerns. The Sunrise Application, developed by ABMP, the Vermont Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (VT - AMTA), and others, will serve as a guide for the OPR assessment.

        Pages