New York

New York shows support for massage licensure portability and you can too. Send a letter to your state senators and assembly members today!

New York bill requires medical practitioners to consider, discuss, and refer or prescribe non-opioid treatments, including massage therapy, before starting opioid treatment.

Governor Hochul announced that masks are required in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement that requires proof of vaccination as a condition of entry. This measure is effective December 13, 2021, through January 15, 2022.

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.81, announcing that businesses offering personal care services in Orange Zone areas may resume operations beginning December 14, 2020.

According to Empire State Development, medically necessary massage therapy is considered an “essential health care operation” and is permitted to resume when micro-cluster zones are labeled orange or red.

Governor Cuomo announced updated COVID-19 micro-cluster focus zones in New York. Parts of Erie County will enter the Orange Zone November 20, 2020, and nonessential, high-risk businesses must close.

These new guidelines allow facials, face massages, facial makeup, face waxing, beard trims, and shaves to be performed so long as the provider is wearing a face mask and a face shield, and receives a negative COVID-19 test at least once on or after September 3, 2020, before performing the services.

An updated Interim Guidance for Personal Care Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency document released July 1, 2020, includes a requirement that employees be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks for regions in Phase 3. This includes sole practitioners.

The reopening of businesses in New York State is happening on a regional basis, and our members' businesses fall into different phases of reopening. Additional information and guidelines about each phase are below, but here is a brief overview.