In late August, Governor John Carney signed into law two bills that affect educational standards and programs. House Bill 386 increases licensing program hours, while Senate Bill 277 phases out certified massage technician (CMT) programs. Let’s look at each bill and how it affects students and current CMTs.
House Bill 386
This bill changes the state’s minimum hours of massage therapy education for students who begin massage therapy programs on or after July 1, 2024. The bill increases hours from 500 to 625 and revises curriculum for each subject.
Due to changes issued last fall in the federal Gainful Employment rules, aid-eligible schools would not have been able to offer programs in excess of the 500-hour state requirement and maintain federal aid eligibility as of July 1—meaning students entering massage programs would no longer qualify for federal aid.
The new 625-hour curriculum:
- Anatomy and physiology (100 hours)
- Massage or bodywork therapy technique and theory (300 hours)
- Elective courses in massage therapy (200 hours)
- Ethics, law, and contraindications (25 hours)
Senate Bill 277
This bill amends the tiered licensing system in Delaware. After December 31, 2024, the Board of Massage and Bodywork (Board) will no longer issue initial certifications to applicants to practice as a CMT.
It is ABMP’s understanding that schools that have a 300-hour certification course will stop offering such programs this year. If you’re a CMT, do not panic—you can remain certified as long as you continue to renew your certification. If a CMT fails to do so and lets their certification lapse, they must meet the current massage therapy licensing requirements to earn a massage license.
For more information about the Gainful Employment rules, check out this helpful FAQ page. If you have questions about your certification or the new licensing requirements, contact the Board at customerservice.dpr@delaware.gov.