02/02/2021
House Bill 79 (HB 79) was introduced in Kentucky this session. HB 79 amends various sections of the massage practice act. Main revisions include:
- Establishment licensing would be required for businesses that offer massage services, including any office, clinic, facility, salon, or spa
- Sole practitioners where only one LMT is employed are exempt from this requirement.
- Residence of a therapist or an outcall location are also exempt unless the location is advertised as the therapist’s place of business.
- Owners would have to report any violations committed by an LMT.
- Fees are removed from statute and relegated to regulations by the board.
- New applicants would need to submit a background check and could obtain a license with the required 600 hours through a massage training program or an associate’s degree with a massage therapy emphasis that is approved by the board.
- Continuing education requirements for renewal would go down to 12 hours for each 2-year renewal period, including 3 hours of ethics within the 12 hours.
- Schools would be presumed to meet the education requirements if they are NCBTMB approved, have a COMTA Endorsed Curriculum, or are COMTA Accredited.
There is a hearing on HB 79 in the House Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations on Wednesday, February 3 at 8:00 a.m. ET.
If you have comments you would like to make about the bill, we encourage you to email committee members.
We encourage you to use this easy-to-follow advocacy email template courtesy of ABMP to voice your opinion. Simply fill out the email template with the appropriate information and send it to the committee members.
You can also contact your own Representative or Senator to let them know what you think of the bill by finding them here.
If you have questions or concerns, email us at gr@abmp.com.