Illinois

Illinois Grandfathering Provision: Reopened for 10 Days Act Now! September 13, 2007 The Massage Licensing Act was recently amended to provide a one-time opportunity for the licensure of an individual who failed to apply for licensure under the grandfathering provision of the Act within the time period specified in the original law. Applicants must meet one of the five qualifications for licensure listed below. Individuals must submit a completed application for licensure within 10 days. To qualify for this one-time provision, your application for massage therapy grandfathering must be postmarked by Tuesday, September 25, 2007. Any applications postmarked after September 25, 2007, will not be processed and the application will be denied. A specific application for grandfathering can be downloaded at: http://www.idfpr.com/DPR/APPLY/FORMS/mt-grand.pdf If you have been a member of ABMP, as a massage therapist at the professional, practitioner, or certified level, for a period of at least one year, it may be easiest to qualify under the first option detailed below. An ABMP representative will need to complete form AFF-MT in your application packet. Contact me immediately at jean@abmp.com or 800-458-2267 x645. Mail completed applications to: Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation Attn: Division of Professional Regulation PO Box 7007 Springfield, IL 62791 Qualifications for grandfathing under this 10 day provision:

1. Official verification from a national professional therapy organization that indicates the years of active membership, as a massage therapist, for a period of at least one year. The organization shall offer professional liability insurance and a code of ethics and must have been established prior to the year 2000. For purpose of clarification, active member does not include students. Supporting Document AFF-MT must be completed by an authorized agent for the massage therapy organization
2. Official verification from the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) showing applicant has successfully passed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) or the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).
3. Supporting Document ED-MT or official transcripts from an established state-licensed school for massage therapy verifying completion of a minimum of 100 hours of in-class supervised instruction and evidence of practicing massage therapy an average of at least 10 hours per week for at least one year prior to June 1, 2003. Supporting Document VEG-MT must be completed by an employer and returned to you for inclusion with the application. If self-employed, you must complete this form on your own behalf attesting to your experience and employment during the specified timeframe. You may be requested to provide evidence of your state income tax return, W2 form or form 1099 for a tax year prior to June 1, 2003 showing income as a massage therapist.
4. Evidence of practicing massage therapy an average of at least 10 hours per week for at least 10 years prior to June 1, 2003. Supporting Document VEG-MT must be completed by an employer and returned to you for inclusion with the application. If self-employed, you must complete this form on your own behalf attesting to your experience and employment during the specified timeframe. The Department reserves the right to request invoices for massage therapy appointments, copies of income tax returns, W2 form(s), or form(s) 1099 for the ten (10) year period claimed as income as a massage therapist.
5. An individual who has practiced massage therapy for at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of one year prior to June 1, 2003, but has less than 100 hours of formal training, or an individual who has practiced for less than one year, but has 100 hours of formal training, may be issued a license, but must have completed at least 100 additional hours of formal training consisting of at least 25 hours in anatomy and physiology before January 1, 2005. Supporting Document ED-MT or official transcripts from an established state-licensed school for massage therapy verifying completion of formal training. To verify employment/experience in the practice of massage, completion of Supporting Document VEG-MT must be appropriately completed by your employer. If self-employed, you must complete this form on your own behalf attesting to your experience and employment during the specified timeframe.