Oklahoma Bills Would Require that Massage Therapists Become Licensed

Two bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma state legislature which would require that all massage therapists in Oklahoma have state licenses in order to practice, and that all massage schools have state licenses in order to operate.  Neither bill has been set for hearing in the legislature.  ABMP is opposed to both of these bills unless significant changes are made. House Bill 1417 places the regulation of the massage profession under the authority of the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  The bill provides that the Chiropractic Board will issue a license to applicants who (1) have passed an (unspecified) exam, (2) maintain professional liability insurance, and (3) have not been convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or a violation of federal or state controlled substances laws.  Under the bill’s grandfathering provision, for 18 months after the law becomes effective, applicants may obtain a license if they have (1) completed 500 hours of massage education from a state-licensed school and have practiced massage in Oklahoma for at least one year, or (2) practiced massage in Oklahoma for at least 3 years, or (3) completed at least 750 hours of massage education from a state-licensed school.  Licenses would have to be renewed every two years.  The bill gives the Chiropractic Board authority to discipline licenses for violations of the massage law. Senate Bill 1019 places the regulation of the massage profession under the authority of the State Board of Medical Licensure.  The bill provides that the Medical Board will issue a license to applicants who (1) have passed a standardized national massage therapy exam, (2) maintain professional liability insurance, and (3) have not been convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or a violation of federal or state controlled substances laws.  SB 1019 contains no grandfathering provision.  Instead, it states that from November 1, 2013 until May 1, 2014, the Medical Board may issue “temporary” licenses to applicants who have (1) completed 500 hours of massage education from a state-licensed school and have practiced massage in Oklahoma for at least one year, or (2) practiced massage in Oklahoma for at least 3 years, or (3) completed at least 750 hours of massage education from a state-licensed school.  All “temporary” licenses would expire May 1, 2014, at which time the person must have qualified for full licensure in order to practice.  Licenses would have to be renewed every two years.  The bill gives the Medical Board authority to discipline licenses for violations of the massage law. We will keep you apprised of the status of the bills.