On April 16, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 1610 and Senate Bill 1588, increasing the minimum massage curriculum hours that an applicant for massage licensure must complete at an approved school for massage, bodywork, or somatic therapy to be eligible for licensure under the Massage Licensure Act. Find out the new state minimum requirement.
Legislative Updates
Executive Order No. 129 sought to dissolve the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists and transfer its functions to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). The executive order was successfully overturned.
Over the past two weeks, the US Department of Education issued updates to the new “Gainful Employment” (GE) regulations for vocational programs published last fall. This web post addresses the updates to prepare school owners and educators ahead of the July 1, 2024, new GE rule effective date.
Effective October 1, 2024, Louisiana massage students will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid because massage programs are limited by Louisiana law. But there is a solution: Senate Bill 353 will increase the required education hours for massage licensure from 500 to 625. ABMP fully supports this bill, and we explain why you should too.
Due to a revised federal rule change, states with minimum-hour education requirements lower than 600 are considering increasing their massage therapy program length. Find out which states have already introduced bills that would raise education hours, which massage boards have proposed and made final rule changes, and why this is becoming a national trend.
New rules issued by the North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy impact initial license applications, student compensation, and etiquette for new clients.
Alabama legislature shows support for massage licensure portability and you can too. Send a letter to your representatives today!
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards informed ABMP that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation released incorrect information in January regarding exam results. Learn more in our web post.
ABMP advocated on your behalf regarding Senate Standing Committee Report 4, which would reverse an executive order that seeks to dissolve the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists. We support this legislation and invite you to read our comments and write to your elected officials.
ABMP submitted written commentary to the Kansas legislature regarding Senate Bill 305, which would create statewide licensure for massage therapists. We support this legislation and invite you to read our comments and write to your elected officials.