All continuing education for even-numbered licenses can now be completed online.
Legislative Updates
House Bill 1440 was introduced in February 2021 and was amended March 17, 2021. The bill would allow online education for an entire massage therapy training program and in-person education by a master massage therapist or instructor at a spa or massage clinic if the clinic or spa has a relationship with a massage therapy school.
Vermont passed Senate Bill 220 last year, which requires registration of massage therapists. Massage therapists, bodyworkers, and touch professionals must register with the state of Vermont by April 1, 2021.
Effective March 1, 2021, a new rule allows all 24 hours of continuing education credits to be completed online.
The Arkansas House of Representatives introduced House Bill 1440 in February, which would allow online education for an entire massage therapy training program and in-person education by a master massage therapist or instructor at a spa or massage clinic.
Vermont passed Senate Bill 220 last year, which requires massage therapists, bodyworkers, and touch professionals to register with the state by April 1, 2021. Find out what you need to apply.
House Bill 1289, which was passed in 2017, will create mandatory licensure in Indiana after the rules are final. Those who are currently certified will automatically roll into licensure. Those who are not certified have 183 days after the rules are final to apply through grandfathering.
After being postponed in 2020, the California Massage Therapy Act is up for sunset review this legislative session. The Committee on Business and Professions is hosting a meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. PST and you can attend virtually. You can also submit comments to the committee if you think CAMTC should continue or licensure should be considered.
The Idaho legislature introduced House Bill 273, which seeks to deregulate massage therapy. The bill would be effective July 1, 2022, if it passes. ABMP is opposed to this bill and is sending a letter to Idaho representatives.
The Ohio legislature has introduced House Bill 81 and Senate Bill 55. The companion bills clean up the Massage Practice Act, remove much of the derogatory language about massage therapists, and add minimal establishment licensing and massage therapist registration.