Two Bills Would Change the Regulation of Massage and Bodyworker Professionals

House Bill 52, sponsored by Representative Millham, would make various technical changes to the regulation of massage therapists. If passed, the board would be able to grant a temporary license to massage therapists moving from another state who have practiced at least three years, the practical exam would be eliminated, some practices would become exempt from licensure (e.g., energy work), and the exam language would change to read “a psychometrically valid examination approved by the commissioner.” ABMP supports HB 52. Read the bill at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0052.html. House Bill 84, also sponsored by Representative Millham, would create a separate regulatory program for reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian Bodyworkers. In order to be licensed by the state, each practitioner would be required to hold current certifications from the certifying body of each type of profession. For example, structural integrators would be required to be certified by the International Association of Structural Integrators or the Rolf Institute. To read the entire bill, go to http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0084.html.