Government Relations

There is currently one vacancy for a licensed massage therapist on the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT). The OBMT has requested ABMP nominate three qualified candidates for their review.

The South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy is considering amendments to the massage therapy rules.

Governor Wolf announced in a recent press release that the following counties will enter the Green Phase on June 26, 2020: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Susquehanna.

Per a Mayor's Order released June 19, 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the District of Columbia entered Phase Two of reopening Monday, June 22, 2020.

Massage therapists, estheticians, cosmetologists, and nail professionals may resume business operations no sooner than June 19, 2020.

Per Executive Order No. 154 issued June 13, 2020, personal care businesses may resume business operations June 22, 2020, including beauty salons, barbershops, cosmetology salons, day spas (excluding saunas, steam rooms, and shared bathing facilities), medical spas, hair braiding shops, massage therapy establishments, and nail salons. 

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Phase 2 of Reopen Connecticut, allowing businesses offering personal services to resume operations June 17, 2020, including day spas, estheticians, waxing, massage therapy, nail technicians, and eyelash technicians.

The reopening of businesses in New York State is happening on a regional basis, and our members' businesses fall into different phases of reopening. Additional information and guidelines about each phase are below, but here is a brief overview.

Reopening Massachusetts is moving into Phase II as of June 8, 2020. Businesses offering close-contact personal services may resume operations in Step 2 of Phase II.

Personal Care Services Guidelines issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity were recently updated.