07/01/2022
On May 29, 2022, the Maryland Legislature enacted Senate Bill 37 (SB 37), which alters the educational requirements for licensure or registration as a massage therapist. Previously there were two tiers: one for Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) requiring 600 hours of massage therapy education and an associate’s degree; and one for Registered Massage Professionals (RMPs) requiring 600 hours of massage therapy education. SB 37 creates just one license: an LMT license that has an educational hour requirement of 750 hours. The change in hour requirements will be effective on or after November 1, 2026.
SB 37 defines “supervised hands-on techniques” as massage techniques performed under the direct, in-person supervision of a licensed instructor in a:
- Classroom
- Laboratory
- Clinic
- Health-care setting
SB 37 requires the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners (Board) to maintain an electronic roster of registered and licensed individuals who practice massage therapy on its website for the purpose of verifying licensure or registration.
On or after October 1, 2023, the Board will stop issuing registrations to practice massage therapy—on or before November 1, 2026, the Board will begin converting registrations to licenses. The Board will draft rules on how RMPs will be able to convert to an LMT license in upcoming board meetings.
SB 37 is effective October 1, 2022.