Indiana Bill Would Change the Regulation of Massage Therapists

Senate bill 500, sponsored by Sen. Landske, would change the current state certification (title protection) of massage therapists to state licensing (mandatory practice act). The bill would also prohibit local units of government from establishing or maintaining licensing requirements for massage therapists. Massage therapists would only have to obtain the state license to practice. If passed, an individual who is state certified as a massage therapist under the current law on June 30, 2011, would be considered to be licensed as a massage therapist on July 1, 2011 without having to meet any further qualifications. Senate bill 363, sponsored by Sen. Miller, would require criminal background checks of health professionals. If passed, massage therapists would be subject to the law.