04/11/2023
Massage therapy student- and apprentice-level licensing will soon be available in Arkansas. Because of Senate Bill 58 (SB 58), which was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in February, future Arkansas massage therapists now have alternative pathways into the profession. ABMP summarized the highlights of SB 58 for you below.
WHAT THE BILL DOES
Definitions
The new law creates definitions for massage therapy apprenticeships and schools:
- Massage therapy apprentice—a person enrolled in a massage therapy apprenticeship program.
- Massage therapy apprenticeship program—a program that meets federal labor standards for apprenticeship programs and is approved by the US Office of Apprenticeship.
- Massage therapy learning permit—a permit issued by the Department of Health (DOH) before an individual has enrolled in a massage therapy apprenticeship program or a massage therapy school. The learning permit is valid for no longer than six months after completing an apprenticeship or graduating from a massage therapy school.
- Massage therapy student—a person enrolled in a licensed massage therapy school or postsecondary massage therapy school.
Background Checks
Those enrolling in a massage therapy school, a postsecondary massage therapy school, or a massage therapy apprenticeship program must apply for a state and federal criminal background check at the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police.
Massage Therapy Learning Permits
The bill makes it illegal for any massage therapy school, postsecondary massage therapy school, or massage therapy apprenticeship program to enroll an individual who does not hold a massage therapy learning permit issued by the DOH.
Exemptions
A licensed massage therapy student practicing under direct supervision of a massage therapy instructor at a massage therapy school or postsecondary massage therapy school is exempt for six months after their graduation date. To continue practicing massage therapy after the six months, students are required to receive a full license.
Similarly, a licensed massage therapy apprentice practicing under direct supervision of a massage therapy instructor is exempt for six months after they complete their apprenticeship program. To continue practicing massage therapy after the six months, they are required to receive a full license.
Qualifications for Massage Therapy Learning Permits
Those enrolling in a massage therapy school or massage therapy apprenticeship program on or after January 1, 2024, must be issued a massage therapy learning permit. Applicants must submit the following to the DOH:
- Proof they are at least 18 years old
- An oath they have not been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any offense that would constitute a felony or prostitution—in this state or another—and present signed authorization to have information released to the DOH
- A state and federal criminal background check
- A valid photo ID or driver’s license and a Social Security card
- A copy of their enrollment contract to confirm enrollment sent from their massage therapy school or massage therapy apprenticeship program
- All required fees (these must be sent with a completed, notarized application form)
Fees
The massage therapy learning permit application fee is $75 and nonrefundable. (This fee used to be called “application fee;” the amount remains the same.)
Qualifications for Licensure After Learning Permit Issuance
Those issued a massage therapy learning permit on or after January 1, 2024, and who graduated from a massage therapy school or completed a massage therapy apprenticeship program, must have their school or apprenticeship program submit the following to the DOH:
- A transcript and credentials issued by their massage therapy school or a certificate of completion issued by their massage therapy apprenticeship program
- Proof of passing an exam recognized and approved by the DOH
- An oath that they have not been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any offense that would constitute a felony or prostitution—in this state or another—since the date the massage therapy learning permit was issued, and present signed authorization to have information released to the DOH
- A completed application provided by the DOH to be issued an initial license
- All required fees