The ABMP Government Relations team had a busy year advocating for massage therapists nationwide. From supporting meaningful initiatives to stopping harmful bills, we worked to protect the profession and strengthen the massage community. Here are our top highlights from 2025.
-
Supporting the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact). Multistate licensure would be a huge step forward for the profession, and ABMP continued to champion the IMpact in all 10 states that introduced the portability initiative. In 2025, Arkansas, Montana, and Virginia passed bills to join the IMpact, welcomed by Ohio and Nevada.
An unexpected hurdle in October may slow progress. However, ABMP remains optimistic that more states will join the IMpact in 2026. Learn about the IMpact’s recent challenges.
-
Championing Statewide Licensure. Statewide licensure ensures consistent education standards, ethical accountability, and public safety. ABMP supported licensing efforts in California, Kansas, and Minnesota this year, though legislatures weren’t persuaded.
In Utah, a bill proposed new licensing tiers, including one with no educational requirements. ABMP strongly opposed it. Such a tier would undermine safety and devalue the credentials of licensed massage therapists. Thanks to our advocacy, the bill was amended and the tiered proposal was scrapped.
The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) underwent its sunset review. ABMP urged lawmakers to replace the CAMTC’s voluntary certification with statewide licensing. Despite strong public support for licensure, the CAMTC was granted an extension until 2030.
-
Protecting Massage Boards. Massage boards are essential for regulating professional licensure and public protection. Several boards faced threats this year, and ABMP stepped in to defend them.
In Oklahoma, the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (Board), which oversees massage therapy, was nearly dissolved after the governor vetoed a bill to extend the Board. Another bill was passed at the last minute, granting the Board a one-year extension. More work lies ahead in 2026 to ensure the Board can continue to conduct business.
In Arizona, the Board of Massage Therapy (Board) was also at risk. ABMP partnered with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) to support legislation proving the Board’s capability to regulate effectively, ensuring it remains a trusted authority for licensing and oversight.
- Defending the MBLEx. Arkansas introduced a bill to replace the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) with a state exam. ABMP fought back, educating lawmakers that the MBLEx is the only psychometrically valid licensing exam in the profession. Replacing it would have created portability chaos, since 46 states require students to pass the MBLEx to receive a license. With ABMP’s advocacy, the bill was defeated, preserving massage exam and license mobility in Arkansas.
-
Opposing Establishment Licensing Bills. Several states introduced establishment licensing bills, requiring massage businesses to obtain special licenses. Many of these bills, which were well-intentioned efforts to fight human trafficking, did not exempt sole practitioners, placing unfair, costly burdens on legitimate massage therapists.
ABMP opposed these bills and made it clear: Human trafficking is a law enforcement issue, not something massage therapists should be penalized for. These bills do not solve the real problem.
Coming Up in 2026: What’s next? Read our predictions for the year ahead.