09/21/2018
Minnesota is one of the few remaining states that does not license or certify massage therapists. Last spring, we sent you a survey asking if you like the current system of local (city or town) licensure, or would prefer a uniform statewide system regulating massage therapists. Thank you to those of you who participated in the survey. As expected, some survey respondents support statewide licensure, while some do not.
Discussions are underway in the profession, however, and a coalition of Minnesota massage professionals is currently looking to introduce a statewide licensure bill in in 2020. There is no proposed bill language yet; the process is in its early stages, and language will be developed over the course of the next year. ABMP has not taken a position at this preliminary stage.
At this point, the coalition is working on introductory grassroots advocacy, consisting of massage professionals contacting particular senators to talk with them broadly about the benefits of massage therapy and the massage profession in general. If you are in favor of statewide licensure generally, and are interested in joining the grassroots team currently reaching out to state legislators, please email Pauline Phillips at: mnamtaboardmember@gmail.com for information about how to get involved.