11/06/2023
Update: November 6, 2023
The rules below have been adopted as proposed, pending 2024 legislative review and approval. After approval, the pending rule will become final and effective July 1, 2024. For assistance with technical questions concerning the pending rule, contact the Division of Occupation and Professional Licenses at MAS@dopl.idaho.gov.
The Idaho State Board of Massage Therapy (Board) issued proposed rules that aim to remove duplicate and unnecessary language from its administrative rules. This is in response to Governor Brad Little’s Zero-based Regulation Executive Order. The order declares that overregulation can impose high costs on businesses and inhibit job growth. The order directs all agencies, such as the Board, to review regulations and identify unnecessary, outdated, or excessively burdensome rules.
The Board is accepting input from its licensees to ensure appropriate amendments will be implemented. Email mas@dopl.idaho.gov before August 15 to voice your opinion.
As a result of the Zero-based Regulation Executive Order, the Board is proposing to remove entire sections of its administrative rules, including:
- Requirements for licensure by endorsement (those seeking a license from out of state)
- Temporary license category (those seeking a license while their application is being processed)
- Continuing education
- Discipline
- Appendix A (massage therapy code of ethics)
- The proposed rules would direct Idaho massage therapists to follow the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork’s (NCBTMB) code of ethics. View NCBTMB’s code of ethics here.
- Appendix B (massage therapy standards: professionalism, legal and ethical requirements, confidentiality, business practices, roles and boundaries, and prevention of sexual misconduct)
- The proposed rules would direct Idaho massage therapists to follow NCBTMB’s standards. View NCBTMB’s massage therapy standards here.
The proposed rules also remove coursework content and hour breakdown and simply state that an approved education program must consist of 390 hours of in-class, supervised hours and 110 supervised clinical work hours for a total of 500 hours.
ABMP encourages you to elevate your voice and submit comments to the Board at mas@dopl.idaho.gov before August 15 to show your support of, or opposition to, the proposed rules. Do you believe the Board is removing appropriate sections of the administrative rules? Or do you think too much is being eliminated? This is your opportunity to engage in meaningful input on deciding how much red tape you want to cut from the massage therapy profession.