A new bill, OK SB 687, has been introduced in the Oklahoma State Senate which, if passed, would require that all Oklahoma massage therapists obtain a state massage therapy license in order to practice. Additionally, anyone using any title indicating that he or she is a massage therapist, or who uses the term "massage" in advertising, would be required to have a massage therapy license. Click here to read the bill.
Oklahoma
State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
2401 NW 23rd, Suite 84
Shepherd Center (Main Entrance F)
Testing Center Door 62
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone: 405-521-2441
Fax: 405-521-2440
> Website
Title: Licensed Massage Therapist
Requirements: 500 hours and passing the MBLEx; liability insurance required prior to licensure, background check
Renewal: 5 CEU hours/1 or 10 CEU hours/2 based on current license
As previously reported, two bills were introduced in 2013 with the intent of regulating massage therapists at the state level. One bill attempted to regulate massage therapists under the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners; the other under the State Board of Medical Licensure. Both bills needed significant changes in order to earn the support of ABMP and the rest of the massage therapy profession. Neither bill progressed through the legislature this year.
Two bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma state legislature which would require that all massage therapists in Oklahoma have state licenses in order to practice, and that all massage schools have state licenses in order to operate. Neither bill has been set for hearing in the legislature. ABMP is opposed to both of these bills unless significant changes are made.
House Bill 3199, sponsored by Representative Lee Denney, would have established a Massage Therapy Practice Act and created the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Advisory Committee to advise the State Board of Health in the licensing of massage therapists and massage schools. The bill is considered dead for the 2008 legislative session.
ABMP will inform members of legislative efforts that may be attempted in the future.
House Bill 3199, sponsored by Representative Lee Denney, has been introduced in the Oklahoma State Legislature. The bill has not been assigned a committee hearing as of this writing. HB 3199 would establish a Massage Therapy Practice Act and create the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Advisory Committee to advise the State Board of Health in the implementation of this bill. Licenses would be required of massage therapists and massage therapy schools.