09/21/2018
Minnesota is one of the few remaining states that does not license or certify massage therapists. Last spring, we sent you a survey asking if you like the current system of local (city or town) licensure, or would prefer a uniform statewide system regulating massage therapists. Thank you to those of you who participated in the survey. As expected, some survey respondents support statewide licensure, while some do not.
09/19/2018
The State of Maryland is now accepting applications for a professional member seat on the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the development and vitality of our profession. This is an unpaid, volunteer position, with a $150 stipend for each meeting plus travel expenses. The Board meets once per month in Baltimore, and members serve for four year terms. This Board position term would begin on July 1, 2019.
In order to qualify for a professional member massage therapist Board seat, you must be:
09/04/2018
Several changes to Rhode Island's massage therapy licensing rules became effective on August 5, 2018. You can read the new rules here. The changes include a new requirement that all licensed massage therapists must now complete six hours of continuing education (CE) every year in order to renew their license. This new rule brings Rhode Island in line with most other states, which generally require CE for license renewal. The new rule states as follows:
08/31/2018
Revised proposed Public Health Rules for Delaware massage therapy establishments have been issued. The revised proposed rules omit some of the objectionable provisions in the prior rules proposal, such as lighting requirements for massage establishments, but contain other problematic provisions, such as lack of clarity regarding sanitation procedures and references to invasive procedures, which MT's of course do not perform.
08/27/2018
The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) is proposing changes to the continuing education (CE) rules for massage therapists. The proposed changes include reducing the required number of CE hours from 25 to 12 hours bi-annually, among other changes. The CE proposals will be addressed at the regular OBMT Board meeting on September 17, 2018. Click here for the draft rules containing the CE proposals (scroll to page 13).
08/09/2018
Illinois has had a law in place since 2016 requiring certain types of businesses to post a notice informing the public and victims of human trafficking of telephone hotline numbers to seek help or report unlawful activity. Massage therapy establishments have now been added to the list of businesses that must post this notice. All massage therapy businesses (other than sole practitioners and some other state licensees) must now post this notice.
07/30/2018
The Iowa Supreme Court issued a recent opinion establishing that, under Iowa law, the unlicensed practice of massage does not rise to the level of a criminal misdemeanor. As a result, there have been increased efforts by many cities and towns in Iowa to enact local ordinances directed at massage therapy which may impact your practice.
07/30/2018
The South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel will be discussing the topic of massage establishment licensing at its regular meeting on August 10, from 9am-5pm, at Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building, Conference Room 105, 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210. The state is considering legislation which would require that massage establishments hold a state license, in addition to the state licensure of individual therapists. Many states across the country either have enacted establishment licensure or are considering it, in an attempt to combat human trafficking.
07/25/2018
Last July we posted information about two bodywork licensing bills introduced in the Massachusetts Senate. The bills have been proceeding through the legislative process with numerous amendments, and there is now only one bill, MA SB 2621, which has passed in the Senate and is now before the House. If passed, the bill will require that "bodyworkers" in Massachusetts obtain a bodywork license in order to practice, and would also require licensure of bodywork schools. The bill provides the following definitions:
07/21/2018
The Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners has announced that a Public Forum regarding the proposal for a "Massage Therapy Business Establishment Permit" law for the State of Maryland will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018. The purpose of the Public Forum is to share the Board's potential upcoming legislative efforts to require that Maryland massage therapy business establishment owners obtain a state permit in order to provide massage therapy services.
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