Legislators in North Carolina are considering two bills impacting the massage and bodywork professions. We are highlighting the bills and contact information for the sponsors and committees currently considering the bills. If you want to comment on any of the bills, we recommend you contact your elected senator and representative (find their information here) and the sponsors and committee members reviewing the bill(s). 

House Bill 607

HB 607 expands the number of seats on the Massage and Bodywork Therapy Board to include an establishment owner. It increases the education training hour requirement for licensure from 500 to 650 in-class hours and it increases the maximum amount the board can charge someone who violates massage law or regulations from $1,000 to $2,000. The maximum cap the board can increase license fees to is also included in this bill. The proposed fee ceilings are:

• Application for license maximum from $20 to $40
• Initial license fee maximum from $150 to $300
• License renewal maximum from $100 to $200
• Late renewal penalty maximum from $75 to $150
• Duplicate license maximum from $25 to $50

HB 607 was submitted by the Board and is sponsored by Representatives Allen McNeill and Rena W. Turner. The bill is currently with the house committee on Finance under the leadership of Representatives Julia C. Howard, Mitchell S. Setzer, John Szoka, Debra Conrad, Stephen M. Ross, and Harry Warren. 

ABMP is opposed to the fee ceilings because they may result in a doubling of fees. Across the nation, ABMP is seeing proposals to increase fees (even double them) so that state boards can compensate for money they are spending on human trafficking efforts and disciplinary cases. You can view the letter we sent the NC legislature further addressing our concerns and our recommendation.

Senate Bill 311

SB 311 changes the composition of the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy to include one member who operates a massage and bodywork establishment. This member would replace one of the existing massage and bodywork therapist seats on the board.

SB 311 is sponsored by Senators Dan Bishop, Paul A. Lowe, Jr., and Joyce Waddell. SB 311 passed through the Senate and is currently under review by the Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the Housecommittee under the leadership of Representatives David R. Lewis, John Szoka, and John A Torbett.