03/06/2024
Serve the best interest of your profession and the public while ensuring ongoing competence and high standards of practice. How? Support massage licensing efforts in Kansas! The legislature introduced Senate Bill 305 (SB 305), which would require statewide licensure for massage therapists.
SB 305 is a fair bill that, if signed into law, would not be unduly burdensome on practitioners. We support the bill because it proposes acceptable licensing requirements, licensure by prior experience (“grandfathering”) opportunities for those currently practicing, and reasonable licensing fees.
Currently, Kansas has a patchwork of inconsistent regulations across municipalities. A statewide license would level the playing field for massage therapists. Licensure would provide the industry a unified scope of practice, professional standards, and accountability—positive steps toward ensuring safe and quality services, offering consumer and practitioner protection, and elevating the massage community.
ABMP encourages you to support this legislation and needs your help to ensure this is a priority for the Kansas legislature. Write a letter to your elected officials sharing why licensure is an important and necessary step to advance the massage therapy industry. Use the “Find Your Legislator” dropdown menu to find your elected officials here. When writing your letter, you can use our sample advocacy letter—feel free to adapt it and elevate your voice, experience, and expertise. Let’s advance the massage profession together!
Highlights of the Bill
Definitions
Massage therapy and massage mean a health-care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. It is the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, and holding of the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to relieve pain, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and enhance or restore the health and well-being of the client.
The practice of massage therapy includes complementary methods, such as the external application of water, heat, cold, lubrication, salt scrubs, body wraps, or other topical preparations and electromechanical devices that mimic or enhance the actions of humans.
If SB 305 is signed into law, anyone using the terms “massage therapist,” “massagist,” “massotherapist,” “myotherapist,” “body therapist,” “massage technician,” “massage practitioner,” “masseur,” or “masseuse” must have a license to practice massage therapy.
Licensure by Prior Experience
SB 305 offers a route to licensure by prior experience (“grandfathering”). Those currently practicing massage therapy would be eligible for a license if they can prove they have done at least one of the following before July 1, 2024:
- Completed at least 625 hours of massage therapy education at a massage school in another state
- Completed at least 300 hours of massage therapy training three years before submitting a license application
- Practiced massage therapy for at least three years
- Been an active member in good standing of a professional massage or bodywork therapy association for at least one year before submitting a license application (your ABMP membership fulfills this requirement)
- Passed a nationally recognized competency exam
Licensure Requirements
If SB 305 is enacted, new applicants for a massage therapy license must meet all the following requirements:
- Be 18 years or older with a high school degree (or equivalent) and no record of disqualifying conduct
- Have proof of 625 hours of in-class, supervised massage therapy instruction (technique and theory)
- Pass a nationally recognized competency exam
- Have proof of liability insurance
- Complete fingerprinting and a state and national criminal background check
License Renewal and Fees
If SB 305 is enacted, practitioners would receive a license valid for two years that must be renewed every two years. Below are the initial and biennial license fees:
- Initial application: not to exceed $80
- Biennial renewal: not to exceed $75
Not more than 24 hours of continuing education credits would be required during each two-year period after initial license renewal.
Municipal Preemption
If SB 305 is signed into law, local municipalities would be preempted from requiring massage therapists to obtain a municipal professional license. Zoning laws would still be in place and municipalities could still require local business permits for massage therapists, which is something all business owners and professionals serving the public are typically required to obtain. Local law enforcement would be allowed to inspect massage establishments to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Please reach out to ABMP’s Government Relations team at gr@abmp.com if you have questions or comments.