Recent News and Legislative Updates

Oregon

08/06/2008

The Oregon Board of Massage Therapy is now requiring the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org) as a qualification for licensure. A rules hearing will be held on August 22, 2008 at 9 a.m. by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, 748 Hawthorne Avenue NE, Salem OR 97306

Georgia

08/04/2008

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy will host a public hearing on September 5, 2008 at the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31217. The main feature of the proposed rule amendment is the removal of existing language regarding the Board review of continuing education providers, along with the addition of new language regarding the acceptance of continuing education providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Arkansas

08/04/2008

Beginning July 1, 2008, the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy requires the passage of the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org), to qualify for licensure. The MBLEx replaces the state licensing examination.

Minnesota

08/04/2008

HF 2747, sponsored by Representative Simon, was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty. The bill modifies the current complementary and alternative health care practices act (CAM law) by striking the definition of “former client.” ABMP was supportive of the bill. Below is the effected section. (d) Engaging in sexual contact with a complementary and alternative health care

Michigan

08/04/2008

House bill 5651, sponsored by Representative Paul Condino, passed 3rd and final reading by the Michigan House of Representatives on Thursday, June 26, 2008. The bill would establish state licensing standards for massage therapists and create a board of massage therapy to implement the process. If passed, a state license would pre-empt local regulations; only one license would be needed. The bill has been assigned to the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee in the Senate; a committee hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Maryland

08/04/2008

House Bill 1563 created the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners and provided for the appointment of massage therapists to that board. If you are interested in applying for an appointment to this board, it is now time to apply. Applications are due on August 28th and require the endorsement by a representative of your professional association (ABMP).

Iowa

08/04/2008

The Iowa Board of Massage Therapy is now accepting the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB: www.fsmtb.org).

Indiana

08/04/2008

The Indiana Massage Therapy Board is in the process of writing rules and regulations, including an application process, to implement the state certification law. ABMP will let members know when applications become available.

Florida

08/04/2008

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has filed a legal challenge to the Florida Board of Massage Therapy's decision to use the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards' (FSMTB) Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) exclusively beginning in May 2009. The NCBTMB charges that the FSMTB has not yet proved their ability to administer the exam efficiently, there is a conflict of interest because the chair of the Florida board is also the vice president of the FSMTB, and that the NCBTMB will lose revenue because of its exclusion.

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