License Now Required to Advertise Shiatsu, Acupressure, or Thai Massage in Connecticut

Connecticut House Bill 5455 was signed into law by Governor Dannel Malloy on May 31, 2012. The new law, Public Act No. 12-64, amends prior law by adding “shiatsu, “acupressure,” “Thai massage,” “Thai yoga massage,” and “Thai yoga” to the list of services that may not be advertised without a massage therapy license. The new law also provides that any employer who knowingly and willfully employs someone without a massage license to perform massage is guilty of a class C misdemeanor. If you are already licensed as a massage therapist in Connecticut, the new law won’t significantly affect you. However, if you are unlicensed and practice shiatsu, acupressure, or Thai massage, you will need to become licensed in order to continue practicing.