Florida Bill to Allow Board to Issue Temporary Permits Fails

SB 584 failed to attract the votes needed to advance. If passed, the bill would have allowed the Board of Massage Therapy to issue temporary permits to applicants who met certain qualifications to practice massage therapy (specifically, graduating from an accredited program). ABMP receives consistent complaints from members who move to Florida and are unable to become licensed in a timely manner because of the state’s specific requirements for licensing, including completion of a medical errors course and board approval for schools. While ABMP is in favor of the board having the authority to issue temporary permits, we would like to see that authority expanded to all applicants if a bill is introduced next year. There is no reason to only allow graduates of accredited programs to qualify.