Pennsylvania Update on Massage Licensing

The law and proposed rules, September 9, 2010

Background: The law (ACT 118) passed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2008 provided for the regulation of massage therapists and established the State Board of Massage Therapy to write rules and regulations to implement the law. As with any law, once the draft rules and regulations are developed, they are reviewed by the General Assembly and the governor’s office; they are final when published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. We expect formal publication of Act 118’s rules and regulations to happen in the next couple months. At that time, the administrative staff of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, working with the board, will be able to begin offering applications. At that time, ABMP will make every effort (through email and US postal mail) to alert members (and former members) that it is time to apply for a license. Information: The State Board of Massage Therapy has a website (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_board_of_massage_therapy/12529) where you can find copies of the law and proposed rules. The applications will be available online as well. There is also a link to the board’s website at www.abmp.com. Basic Qualifications: As currently proposed in the draft rules and regulations, fees will be $65 for the application process and $75 for the proposed renewal in 2 years. You will also have to complete fingerprinting and background checks in each state you’ve resided in for the last five years. There will be more information on that process when the board issues applications. Existing practitioners must provide evidence they have met three basic licensing criteria: general criteria (application, fee, id); that the applicant is indeed an existing practitioner; and that the applicant has had training in massage.

1. General criteria: Existing practitioners must do ALL of the following:
   • Complete an application form and pay the fee.
   • Provide a copy of a legal form of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
   • Provide a copy of CPR certification that is valid for at least six months following the date of the application.
   • Provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
2. Proof of existing practice: Existing practitioners will also have to submit ONE of the following to demonstrate they have conducted a massage therapy business:
   1. A signed copy of your federal tax return from the previous year listing your occupation as a massage therapist, OR
   2. A signed copy of Schedule C of your federal tax return from the previous year demonstrating your reported income from the practice of massage therapy; OR
   3. Proof of professional or practitioner level membership in a professional association (such as ABMP*); OR
   4. A notarized statement from your employer, on a form provided by the board, attesting that you are a practicing massage therapist, a copy of the employer’s business card or letterhead, and a copy of your Federal W-2 or 1099 form.
*ABMP will provide all members, current and expired, the relevant documentation to demonstrate professional association membership as soon as the board determines specifically what documentation it will accept.
3. Proof of Education: You will also have to demonstrate ONE of the following as proof that you have training in massage:
   1. You have been in active, continuous practice for at least five years immediately preceding October 9, 2010; OR
   2. You have passed a national certification exam offered by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); OR
   3. You have completed a minimum 500 hour massage program; OR
   4. You have completed a 100 hour massage program and have passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (www.fsmtb.org); OR
   5. You have completed a 100 hour massage program and have passed one of the national certification exams offered by the NCBTMB.

Easiest Way to Qualify The easiest way to qualify for a license is if you have completed a minimum 500 hour massage program and were a professional ABMP member for at least one year prior to October 9, 2010. Most applicants will fit into this category. If you cannot currently demonstrate one of the five possibilities for proof of training in massage, option four (100 hours education and passing the MBLEx) will likely be the quickest avenue for you to qualify. Other Issues to Note: Renewal in two years will require all practitioners to obtain 24 hours of continuing education, AND a CPR course approved by the board. Approved classes for CPR will be listed on the board’s website. You will not have to obtain another background check prior to renewal. Continuing education provided by massage therapy schools approved by the Commonwealth as well as CE provided by ABMP, AMTA, and approved NCBTMB providers will be automatically accepted by the board at renewal. You will be able to take up to eight hours of CE online or through self-study (distance education), which is usually more cost effective. The board has also developed standards of practice. For the most part they are common sense in terms of cleanliness and respecting the client’s privacy but some are not. Here are a few that ABMP encourages you to note. Advertising: Once licensed by the state, you will use the title Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and will have to display your license in a clearly visible location in the office and conspicuously display the LMT’s name and title on an ID badge or directly on clothing worn in public areas where massage therapy services are provided. You will also be required to include your license number in any advertisements. For this reason, you may want to use a business address instead of your home address when applying for your license. When working off-site, you will need to carry a wallet size license. Treatment of minors: The board is proposing that licensees obtain the written permission of parent or guardian prior to providing massage to a minor AND require the parent or guardian to be physically present in the room during the massage of minor. Linens: Massage therapists shall wash soiled linens in a clothes washing machine in hot water with detergent and bleach after every use. Definition of professional relationship: the relationship between a massage therapist and a client which shall be deemed to exist from the first professional contact or consultation and continue until six months after the last date of a professional service. This will not affect most people, however, take note of this policy if you are considering a personal relationship with a former client. Record keeping: Maintain massage therapy records for at least 3 years from the last date of service.