Recent News and Legislative Updates

Reflexology Regulation Bill Introduced in Washington State

01/23/2012

Introduced on January 11, 2012, Senate Bill 6103 proposes to regulate reflexology by requiring the registration of reflexologists. Since massage therapists are already licensed in Washington, and reflexology fits within a massage therapist’s scope of practice, this legislation will not have an impact on massage therapists. In addition, the bill provides that any individual registered as a reflexologist may not use the term “massage therapist” or any similar term to describe or advertise his or her services.

WA Bill Proposes Inspections for Massage Businesses

01/20/2012

Introduced on January 11, 2012, Senate Bill 6104 would grant the secretary of health the authority to inspect massage business establishments during business hours. If the secretary is denied access, it may apply for a warrant authorizing access. ABMP is in communication with Senators Keiser, Fraser, and Kline, the bill’s sponsors, to advocate for language that would limit the secretary’s authority to inspect establishments only if a complaint is received.

Mandatory Massage Therapy Practice Act Introduced in Indiana

01/16/2012

Introduced on January 4, 2012, Senate Bill 10 would require a license to practice massage therapy in Indiana. Currently, although Indiana’s certification system provides that only certified massage therapists may use the phrase “massage therapy” to advertise or market the services they provide, certification is not required to practice massage therapy. If SB 10 passes, only licensed massage therapists would be allowed to practice massage therapy.

New Hampshire Voluntary Licensing Bill Defeated

01/06/2012

On January 5, 2012, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to defeat HB 446. The bill would have changed the mandatory licensing of several professions, including massage therapists and bodyworkers, to voluntary “licensing.” ABMP was opposed to the bill. ABMP thanks members who contacted, or met with, state representatives and asked them to vote “no” on HB 446. We believe this successful outcome is a testament to the importance of legislators hearing from their constituents.

New Hampshire Bill Would Change Mandatory Licensing to Voluntary – Action Needed Now!

12/30/2011

On October 27, 2011, the House Committee of Executive Departments and Administration voted (by a very narrow margin) to pass an amended version of HB 446. If passed by the full legislature, the bill would amend the current mandatory licensing programs for several professions (including massage therapy) and make “licensing” voluntary.  The next step in the process occurs on January 4th, 2012, when HB 446 will be voted on by the House of Representatives. Please contact your representative and ask them to vote “no” on HB 446.

Mandatory Continuing Education Now Required for Your Renewal

12/30/2011

Effective January 1, 2012, massage therapists practicing under his/her New York license must take continuing education. You are now required to complete 36 hours of acceptable formal continuing education during each three-year registration period. Practitioners renewing their licenses in the next three years (2012-2015) will have to complete continuing education hours at the rate of one hour of acceptable formal continuing education per month. For example, if you are due to renew in June 2012, you’ll have to take 6 hours of continuing education in order to renew.  

Please Read: NJ Regulations Will Impact Your Practice

12/05/2011

The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has been drafting rules and regulations to implement the law passed by the legislature in January 2008. When fully implemented, this law will change the regulation of massage therapists in New Jersey from voluntary certification (title protection) to mandatory licensing. All massage therapists (and certain bodyworkers) will be required to obtain a state license to practice.

Ohio Bill Could Have Negative Impact on Massage Therapists

10/28/2011

House Bill 259, introduced on June 14, 2011, proposes to exempt individuals who practice energy work or movement education from Ohio’s health care professional licensing laws under which massage therapists are licensed as “limited practitioners of medicine.” The bill contains a lengthy list of “complementary or alternative health care services” that would be exempt from licensing if the bill were to pass. Many of the health care services listed in the bill as exempt are currently regulated under massage therapy and are commonly accepted synonyms for massage and/or bodywork therapies.

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