Kentucky Considers Amending Massage Therapy Practice Act

For the last two years, the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy and a few representatives from both ABMP and the AMTA-Kentucky Chapter have been discussing changes to the Massage Therapy Practice Act. House Bill 180, sponsored by Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo, is the result of those discussions. If passed, HB 180 would make a few small changes to the existing law:

• An exemption for instructors who are residents of another state who are in Kentucky to teach short term would be clarified.
• Other licensed health professionals, in addition to L.M.T.’s, would be able to supervise students.
• The penalty for violation of the Massage Therapy Practice Act would change from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.
• Fees for late renewals would be raised.
• The law would add language to allow the board to accept other entry-level exams, such as the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The MBLEx is currently accepted in 22 states with additional states working toward accepting it.

ABMP expects the bill to pass with minimal changes, but will keep members informed on www.abmp.com as the bill progresses.