Recent News and Legislative Updates

North Dakota Exempts Energy Work from Massage Licensing

HB 1304 was signed into law by Governor Dalrymple on April 5, 2011. The law exempts individuals who are practicing energy work from massage therapy licensing as long as they are not manipulating the soft tissue of the human body (not including a soft touch or tap), provided that the individual's services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy.



Iowa Will Increase Entry-level Education Requirements

HF 593 was signed by Governor Branstad on 4/13/2011. The law increases the entry-level education required for licensure from 500 to 600 hours. However, educational requirements under this paragraph are subject to reduction by the board if, after public notice and hearing, the board determines that the welfare of the public may be adequately protected with fewer hours of education.


Bill Aims to Increase Entry-Level Education Requirements in MA - Again

Senate bill 90, sponsored by Senator Chang-Diaz , would increase the entry-level education required for licensure of massage therapists. ABMP is strongly opposed to SB 90. If passed, first time applicants for a license to practice massage therapy would have to complete a 900 hour massage program to qualify for a license to practice.

Michigan Licensing Update

In January 2009, HB 5651 was signed into law by Governor Granholm. The law provided for the state licensing of massage therapists and authorized the creation of a state regulatory board to implement the process. Governor Granholm appointed members to serve on the Board of Massage Therapy in late June 2009 and the board has met regularly since December 2009 to discuss and develop regulations to implement the law.

CA Bill Would Make Technical Changes to Law

Assembly Bill 619 seeks technical changes to the existing law. In 2008, Senate Bill 731 (Oropeza, Chapter 384) was passed and created a statewide voluntary certification program for massage professionals and a non-profit massage therapy organization to administer the program. The primary benefit of its passage was to provide massage therapists some financial relief from restrictive and discriminatory local ordinances and from having duplicative processes to practice in multiple locations.

Changes are coming that may affect your ability to practice in California!

Yes, you know that voluntary certification has now been available for 21 months. And that certification, for which you pay $150, allows you to practice anywhere in California. However, according to our information, you have so far not chosen to be among the 28,000 massage therapists to apply for CAMTC certification. What you may not realize are two things:



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