Recent News and Legislative Updates


Governor Corzine Appoints Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy

Governor Corzine has appointed members to the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of writing the rules and regulations to implement the law. ABMP will keep members informed of the progress the board makes and when applications become available. Ronald P. Mondello, Esq. (Kinnelon, Morris) Deborah K. Zastocki, FACHE (Randolph, Morris) Alan G. Vonderahe (Sparta, Sussex) Deborah R. Overholt (Mount Laurel, Burlington) Christine Gill Rose (Toms River, Ocean) Cynthia Sincropi-Balena LMT, CMT (Belle Mead, Somerset)

Rule Changes Considered by the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board

The New Mexico Massage Therapy Board will convene a rule hearing to hear public testimony and comments regarding proposed amendments, repeals, and/or replacements to the rules relating to general provisions, fees, and licensing requirements for individuals, schools, and instructors. Details on the proposed changes can be found at http://www.rld.state.nm.us/Massage/news.html.

ABMP Opposes NCBTMB Oregon Amendment Proposal

HB 2059 is currently moving through the Oregon State Legislature. The bill amends and creates new provisions for health regulatory boards, including the Oregon Board of Massage Therapy (OBMT). This seemingly innocuous bill turned much less so on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, when the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) proposed an amendment that would require the OBMT to accept their national certification exams. The amendment (HB 2059-A7) reads as follows:

Licensing Law Signed by Montana Governor Schweitzer

House bill 662, providing for the state licensing of massage therapists, was signed into law by Governor Schweitzer on May 5, 2009. The new law goes into effect immediately. However, applications for state licenses will not become available until a Board of Massage Therapists is appointed then writes rules and regulations to implement the law. There is no action for you to take at this time. ABMP will continue to keep members informed.

Practices Usually Excluded from New Mexico Massage Licensing

House bill 664, was signed into law by Governor Richardson on April 7, 2009.The bill, sponsored by Representative W. Ken Martinez, creates “The Unlicensed Health Care Act.” The bill essentially states that a complementary and alternative health care practitioner who is not licensed in New Mexico as a health care practitioner shall not be in violation of any licensing laws unless the practitioner engages in a scope of practice that exceeds his or her training or practices a profession that is already licensed by the state.

Arkansas Changes Massage Law

HB 1951 was signed into law by Governor Beebe on April 13, 2009. The bill amends the existing massage therapy law and seats new board members to the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy to oversee implementation. Two changes to the scope of practice of massage therapists should be noted:
  1. Massage of the anus or genital area of another person is prohibited by law and will result in the board revoking the massage therapist’s license to practice, and

Illinois Senate Passes Bill That Would Have Negative Impact on MTs

Last week the Illinois Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 318 (SB318), which now moves into the Illinois House of Representatives for consideration. As you recall, SB 318, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein, would amend the Medical Practice Act to allow any person licensed under it (physicians, chiropractors) to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel as long as those duties fall within the scope of practice for the physician or chiropractor.

Montana Bill Puts State Licensing on the Table

House bill 662, sponsored by Rep. Elsie Arntzen, has passed the House and is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee on April 8, 2009. If passed, the bill would require massage therapists to become state licensed and would establish a Board of Massage Therapists to implement the law. The bill would allow practitioners to qualify for licensure by signing an affidavit that they have engaged in the practice of massage therapy for at least 100 hours in Montana. Practitioners would be able to qualify under this provision until July 1, 2012.

Proposed Illinois Bill Could Negatively Impact Massage Therapists

Senate bill 318, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein, would amend the Medical Practice Act to allow any person licensed under it (physicians, chiropractors) to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel as long as those duties fall within the scope of practice for the physician or chiropractor. If passed, SB 318, would circumvent the Massage Licensing Act and allow the unlicensed practice of massage therapy.

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