Pennyslvania

House bill 2499, sponsored by Representative McCall, was introduced, amended, and subsequently passed the Committee on Professional Licensure amended on June 11, 2008 and the Appropriations Committee on June 17, 2008. The bill would require a state license to practice massage therapy and establish a State Board of Massage Therapy to implement the law. The amendment addressed several of ABMP’s concerns outlined in the update provided to members on May 16, 2008. The bill now clearly pre-empts local regulations, grandfathering alternatives have been added, exam language after the grandfathering provision has expired is more clear, and only one member of the massage therapy board could be an owner of a massage therapy school. If passed, the bill would allow existing practitioners to qualify for a license without obtaining additional education or taking an exam. To qualify for a license under this grandfathering provision an applicant would be required to meet ONE of the following requirements:

1. Has been in active, continuous practice for at least 5 years.
2. Has passed an exam that is part of a certification program accredited by the NCCA. (Essentially, only the exams offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork are NCCA approved.)
3. Has completed 500 hours of instruction in massage and related subjects from a massage therapy program approved by the Department of Education or by the board.
4. Passed the National Exam for State Licensing (NESL) offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and completed 100 hours of instruction in massage and related subjects OR
5. Passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and completed 100 hours of instruction in massage and related subjects.

Once a massage therapist obtains a license through the grandfathering provision, the only requirement for maintenance of his or her license will be to complete 24 hours continuing education for renewal every two years. To qualify for licensure after the grandfathering provision expires, an applicant must have completed a minimum 600 hour massage therapy program and pass an exam approved or administered by the board. Any exam approved by the board would have to meet generally recognized psychometric principles and standards. All licensees would be required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education each two-year renewal cycle. Professions exempt from massage therapy licensure would include energy work, movement education, and reflexology. ABMP will keep members informed as the bill progresses. Read the entire bill as amended.