Recent News and Legislative Updates

South Carolina

08/06/2008

The South Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy is now accepting the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure.

Mississippi

08/06/2008

The Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy is now accepting the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure. House Bill 426, signed into law by Governor Barbour, changes the state credential from registration to a license and stipulates that no member of the state board of massage therapy can be an owner or partner in a massage therapy school. HB 426 went into effect on July 1, 2008.

Maine

08/06/2008

The Maine Office of Licensing and Registration is now accepting the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure.

Louisiana

08/06/2008

The Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy is now accepting the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure.

Oregon

08/06/2008

The Oregon Board of Massage Therapy is now requiring the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure. A rules hearing will be held on August 22, 2008 at 9 a.m. by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, 748 Hawthorne Avenue NE, Salem OR 97306

Georgia

08/04/2008

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy will host a public hearing on September 5, 2008 at the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31217. The main feature of the proposed rule amendment is the removal of existing language regarding the Board review of continuing education providers, along with the addition of new language regarding the acceptance of continuing education providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Arkansas

08/04/2008

Beginning July 1, 2008, the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy requires the passage of the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org), to qualify for licensure. The MBLEx replaces the state licensing examination.

Minnesota

08/04/2008

HF 2747, sponsored by Representative Simon, was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty. The bill modifies the current complementary and alternative health care practices act (CAM law) by striking the definition of “former client.” ABMP was supportive of the bill. Below is the effected section. (d) Engaging in sexual contact with a complementary and alternative health care

Michigan

08/04/2008

House bill 5651, sponsored by Representative Paul Condino, passed 3rd and final reading by the Michigan House of Representatives on Thursday, June 26, 2008. The bill would establish state licensing standards for massage therapists and create a board of massage therapy to implement the process. If passed, a state license would pre-empt local regulations; only one license would be needed. The bill has been assigned to the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee in the Senate; a committee hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Maryland

08/04/2008

House Bill 1563 created the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners and provided for the appointment of massage therapists to that board. If you are interested in applying for an appointment to this board, it is now time to apply. Applications are due on August 28th and require the endorsement by a representative of your professional association (ABMP).

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