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ABMP Legislative Report
Nevada 3/26/08 6/08/07 7/17/06 1/18/06 6/17/05 4/20/05 3/30/05 5/28/03 4/24/03 1/31/03 4/27/01 4/6/01 3/26/08: The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists has given notice of public hearings scheduled to receive comments from all interested persons regarding the adoption of regulations that pertain to the practice of massage therapy. To view the proposed regulations, go to: http://www.massagetherapy.nv.gov/meetings/2008/2008-04-11-NoticeAdoptRegs-MTB.pdf. A person wishing to comment upon the proposed action of The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists may appear at the scheduled public hearing or may address their comments, data, views, or arguments, in written form, to The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists, 1755 E. Plumb Lane Suite 252, Reno, NV 8950. Written submissions must be received by The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists on or before April 3, 2008. 6/08/07: The deadline for practicing massage therapists to grandfather into state licensure is June 30, 2007. After that date, practitioners will be required to meet the qualifications for licensure, including completion of a 500-hour massage therapy program and passing the National Certification Exam offered by NCBTMB. 7/17/06: The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy has begun accepting applications for state licensure from massage therapists who are currently licensed by the city or local jurisdiction in which they live. The application fee is $200 and is non-refundable. The application is available at: massagetherapy.nv.gov/forms/CurrentlyLicensedTherapistApplication.pdf. If you don’t have access to the Internet, call Billie Shea at 775-883-4141 to request an application. Return completed applications to: Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists 111 West Telegraph Street, Suite 200 Carson City, NV 89703 For updates on the licensing process go to the Board of Massage Therapy website: www.massagetherapy.nv.gov/. ABMP will also post updates on the Legislative Update page at www.abmp.com. Again, only those massage therapists currently licensed by their city or local jurisdictions are able to apply for state licensure at this time. 1/18/06: The Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists has been formed; Governor Guinn appointed Board members October 1, 2005. At this time, the Board is in the process of establishing licensing procedures, locating an office and hiring staff and is not yet ready to issue licenses. The target date for doing so is no later than July 1, 2006. The board's website is http://massagetherapy.nv.gov. 6/17/05: Assembly Bill 250 was signed by Governor Kenny Guinn and will create the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists. Requirements to obtain a license would include successful completion of a board recognized massage program, not limited to a program approved by the Commission on Postsecondary Education, or offered by a college in Nevada or another date. The Board may issue a temporary license for 90 days. Please see copy of the bill at www.leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/ab/ab250/pdf. ABMP will update members when Board information is known. 4/20/05: On March 21, 2005, Assembly Bill 250 was referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. This would create the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists to regulate massage. The Board would recognize completion of education including, but not limited to, a program approved by the Commission on Postsecondary Education, or offered by a public college in Nevada or another state. A Legislative Notice was sent to all ABMP Nevada members. To view the bill visit www.leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/ab/ab250.pdf 3/30/05: Assembly Bill 250 was referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor on March 21, 2005, to regulate massage therapy, and would create the Nevada Sate Board of Massage Therapists. In the bill, massage therapy is defined as, “the application of a system of pressure to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body for therapeutic purposes, including, without limitation to effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, compression, vibration, friction, and movements applied manually with or without superficial heat, cold, water or lubricants for the purpose of maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical condition. The provisions of this bill do not apply to an employee of an athletic department of a high school, college, or university in the State of Nevada, and who in the scope of that employment, practices massage therapy on athletes. Requirements to obtain a license would include:
5/28/03: Senate bill 338 was defeated on the Floor of the Senate with a vote of 12 in favor and 9 against. This bill required a 2/3 majority which it did not receive. 4/24/03: ABMP recently learned of an effort to draft a bill to regulate massage in the state of Nevada and sent a survey out to the membership. Thirty-seven percent of the membership responded and the results indicated that 70% of the respondents would like the State of Nevada to implement statewide regulations for massage therapists and bodyworkers, 15% oppose statewide regulation and the remaining 15% were undecided. The current draft of the proposal would allow you to obtain a renewable license if you currently hold a local permit to practice massage; this would accommodate 77% of the respondents that hold a current permit. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents indicated they would support requiring new therapists entering the profession to obtain 500 hours of massage therapy education and sit for an examination as a requirement for licensure. The results of the survey revealed that only 28% of the respondents are currently nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork by the National Certification Board. In mid-March, Senate Bill 338 was introduced and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. Unfortunately, after several amended versions of the bill, the one that passed committee would require all licensed therapists in the state to maintain certification with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. ABMP will be sure to keep updated information here. As an active member of ABMP, you should have received more detailed information regarding this bill in late April, when it left committee. ABMP encourages you to stay involved in this process to ensure the massage therapy profession remains your profession! To obtain and update on this bill or contact your legislators, visit www.leg.state.nv.us/Senate/ You can also fax the Senate (775)684-6522 to express your opinion on this legislation. Nevada also has an avenue to share your opinion on-line. After each constituent voices his/her opinion, they are invited to read the "votes" and opinions of others www.leg.state.nv.us/72nd/Opinions2003/index.cfm 1/31/03: ABMP continues to track for any massage regulations that may be introduced in the 2003 legislative session. 4/27/01: On 4/17/01 Assembly Bill 625 died in committee, no further action is allowed. 4/6/01: Assembly Bill 625 was introduced on March 26, 2001 and has been Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. The bill provides for the licensing and regulation of massage therapists. Requirements If the bill passes, an applicant for a license to practice massage therapy must be at least 18 years of age, provide proof that he has successfully completed at least 500 hours of instruction in a program of massage therapy approved by the board; pass any practical examination prescribed by the board; and pass a written examination administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or any other organization approved by the board. Grandfathering The board of massage therapists shall issue a license as a massage therapist to an applicant who submits to the board before September 1, 2001 and is at least 18 years of age; and provides proof that he has successfully completed at least 500 hours of instruction in a program of massage therapy approved by the board; or has been licensed as a massage therapist by a local government in Nevada for a period of at least 12 consecutive months during the 3 years immediately preceding July 1, 2001, and has performed at least 125 hours of massage therapy during that 12-month period; and A person who engages in the practice of massage therapy is not required to be licensed prior to January 1, 2002. If passed, the bill will become effective on July 1, 2001. For a complete copy of the bill, visit www.leg.state.nv.us/71st/bills/ab/ab625.html or contact the Nevada Legislative Hotline at (775)684-1385 You can also cast your vote in an opinion poll at www.leg.state.nv.us. Click on Opinions to the far right. |