Pennsylvania

House bill 2499, sponsored by Representative McCall, has been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was referred to the Committee on Professional Licensure on May 13, 2008. The bill would require a state license to practice massage therapy and establish a State Board of Massage Therapy to implement the law. If passed, the bill would allow existing practitioners to qualify for a license without obtaining additional education or taking an exam. To qualify for a license under this grandfathering provision an applicant would be required to meet ONE of the following requirements:

1. Has been in active, continuous practice for a minimum of 5 years and has completed 150 hours of instruction in massage therapy and related subjects; OR
2. Has passed an exam administered by a certifying agency which is approved by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies; OR
3. Has completed 500 hours of instruction in massage therapy.

Once a massage therapist obtains a license through the grandfathering provision, the only requirement for maintenance of his or her license will be to complete 24 hours continuing education requirement for renewal every two years. To qualify for licensure after the grandfathering provision expires, an applicant must have completed a minimum 600 hour massage therapy program and pass an exam approved or administered by the board. All licensees would be required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education each two-year renewal cycle. Professions exempt from massage therapy licensure would include energy work, movement education, and reflexology. ABMP has identified the following concerns:

• The definition of massage therapy could potentially limit scope of practice. The definition states that massage therapy does not include treatment of impairment or disability. It also states that massage therapy does not include “physical therapy mobilization/manual therapy”. ABMP is concerned that the term “physical therapy mobilization/manual therapy” is not defined in the bill.
• The exam language is inconsistent. One section of the bill allows the board to approve an exam and another section specifies an exam approved by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Essentially, only the exams offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork are NCCA approved. The language would preclude applicants from utilizing the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
• The Board of Massage Therapy would consist of five massage therapists and two public members. The bill specifies that only massage therapists with at least 5 years of experience can apply for a position. ABMP believes this may seriously limit the pool of massage therapists who could apply, and would prefer three years. AMBP also recommends limiting the number of members of the board who have massage school connections to one member.
• There is no clause in the bill that pre-empts local regulations. ABMP will seek assurance that the bill would pre-empt local regulations, so that members are not having to continue to renew their local licenses in addition to a state license.

ABMP will contact the sponsors of the bill with our concerns. There is no action to take at this time. We will keep members informed as the bill progresses. Read the entire bill.