Government Relations

Proposed massage therapy rules were published in the Texas Register, one of which affects written consent. ABMP summarizes the rule and explains how you can comment to make your opinion on the topic heard before the September 19, 2021, deadline.

Washington’s personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile is available to help support state agencies, counties, and other partners to meet COVID-19 PPE requests through October 31, 2021. Health-care providers and businesses are encouraged to order PPE to help return the state’s PPE stockpile back to pre-COVID levels before it expires.

A new Public Health Order issued August 17, 2021, reimplements a statewide mask mandate in New Mexico. Facemasks must be worn in all indoor public spaces—regardless of a person’s vaccination status—with limited exceptions.

If your massage therapy license was inactive or expired between the period of March 17, 2020, through January 31, 2021, you are eligible to renew your license. You have until December 31, 2021, to submit all renewal requirements.

*Updated 8/25/2021* ABMP received correspondence from the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy and the Board Administrator clarified that massage therapists are permitted to complete 100% of continuing education hours online during the current biennial renewal period.

Due to COVID-19’s Delta variant, vaccines will be required for all health-care providers working in health-care settings by September 30, 2021. The Oregon Board of Massage Therapy indicated that this may not apply to those that work in spas or private practices.

Live continuing education credits will not be due until six months after the end of the Executive Order for those renewing in 2020 and 2021.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-14 on August 9, 2021, which requires health-care workers, including massage therapists, to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccination by October 18, 2021.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Professionals and Occupational Affairs announced that COVID-19 waivers and suspensions issued during the pandemic will expire in the coming weeks. Find out which wavers and their expiration dates will affect massage therapists.

Governor Brown announced that due to COVID-19’s Delta variant, vaccines will be required for all health-care providers, including massage therapists, who work in health-care settings.