Minnesota is one of the few remaining states that does not license or certify massage therapists. Last spring, we sent you a survey asking if you like the current system of local (city or town) licensure, or would prefer a uniform statewide system regulating massage therapists. Thank you to…
Recent News and Legislative Updates
The State of Maryland is now accepting applications for a professional member seat on the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the development and vitality of our profession. This is an unpaid, volunteer position, with a…
Several changes to Rhode Island's massage therapy licensing rules became effective on August 5, 2018. You can read the new rules here. The changes include a new requirement that all licensed…
Revised proposed Public Health Rules for Delaware massage therapy establishments have been issued. The revised proposed rules omit some of the objectionable provisions in the prior rules proposal, such as lighting requirements for massage establishments, but contain other problematic…
The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) is proposing changes to the continuing education (CE) rules for massage therapists. The proposed changes include reducing the required number of CE hours from 25 to 12 hours bi-annually, among other changes. The CE proposals will be addressed at the…
Illinois has had a law in place since 2016 requiring certain types of businesses to post a notice informing the public and victims of human trafficking of telephone hotline numbers to seek help or report unlawful activity. Massage therapy establishments have now been added to the list of…
The Iowa Supreme Court issued a recent opinion establishing that, under Iowa law, the unlicensed practice of massage does not rise to the level of a criminal misdemeanor. As a result, there have been increased efforts by many cities and towns in Iowa…
The South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel will be discussing the topic of massage establishment licensing at its regular meeting on August 10, from 9am-5pm, at Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building, Conference Room 105, 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210. The state is considering…
Last July we posted information about two bodywork licensing bills introduced in the Massachusetts Senate. The bills have been proceeding through the legislative process with numerous amendments, and there is now only one bill, MA SB 2621, which has…
The Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners has announced that a Public Forum regarding the proposal for a "Massage Therapy Business Establishment Permit" law for the State of Maryland will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018. The purpose of the Public Forum is to share the…