Massage Politics

Alabama Board of Massage Therapy
610 S. McDonough St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Tel: 334-269-9990
Fax: 334-263-6115

Each Massage Therapist applicant must also produce evidence of a $1,000,000 Personal Liability Insurance coverage along with certified transcripts and verification of their national certification

532×1.02 Definitions

g.  Massage Therapist is a person licensed under this Act who practices massage therapy or touch modalities upon a patron of either gender for compensation, working to alleviate pain, reduce stress and instigate the normalization of the soft tissue, muscles, tendons and connective tissues of the patron. A Massage therapist shall not be designated as a massage parlor employee. 

h) Massage therapy is the profession in which the practitioner applies massage techniques and related touch therapy modalities with the intention of positively affecting the health and well being of the client as defined in the Act.  massage therapy does not include diagnosis except to the extent of determining whether massage therapy is indicated..  Massage Therapy may be applied in response to physician, osteopathic, chiropractic, podiatric, or other prescription by a licensed practitioner in that field acting within the scope of practice of their profession.

Alaska

Fairbanks Massage Practitioner Requirements

Anchorage Massage Practitioner Information

Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy
1400 W. Washington, Suite 230
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-8604
Fax: 602-542-3093

“Massage therapy” means the following that are undertaken to increase wellness, relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief and postural improvement or provide general or specific therapeutic benefits:

(a) The manual application of compression, stretch, vibration or mobilization of the organs and tissues beneath the dermis, including the components of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral vessels of the circulatory system and fascia, when applied primarily to parts of the body other than the hands, feet and head.

(b) The manual application of compression, stretch, vibration or mobilization using the forearms, elbows, knees or feet or handheld mechanical or electrical devices.

(c) Any combination of range of motion, directed, assisted or passive movements of the joints.

(d) Hydrotherapy, including the therapeutic applications of water, heat, cold, wraps, essential oils, skin brushing, salt glows and similar applications of products to the skin.

6. “Practice of massage therapy” means the application of massage therapy to any person for a fee or other consideration. Practice of massage therapy does not include the diagnosis of illness or disease, medical procedures, naturopathic manipulative medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, chiropractic adjustive procedures, homeopathic neuromuscular integration, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, prescription of medicines or the use of modalities for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, athletic training,physical therapy, acupuncture or podiatry is required by law.

Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy
PO Box 20739
Hot Springs, AR 71903
Tel: 501-683-1448

(D) Hydrotherapy techniques;

(E) Heliotherapy;

(F) Electrotherapy;

(G) Any hands-on bodywork techniques and procedures rising to the level of the techniques and procedures intended to be regulated under this chapter and not covered under specific licensing laws of other boards.

California Massage Therapy Council
One Capitol Mall, Suite 320
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 916-669-5336
Fax: 916-444-7462

California Massage Licensing Explained by James Mally

Massage Magazine – update on SB 731

ABMP News

Colorado State Office of MT Registration
Division of Professions and Occupations
1560 Broadway, Ste 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Tel: 303-894-7800
Fax: 303-894-7764

“Massage” or “massage therapy” means a system of structured touch, palpation, or movement of the soft tissue of another person’s body in order to enhance or restore the general health and well-being of the recipient. Such system includes, but is not limited to, techniques such as effleurage, commonly called stroking or gliding; petrissage, commonly called kneading; tapotement or percussion; friction; vibration; compression; passive and active stretching within the normal anatomical range of movement; hydromassage; and thermal massage. Such techniques may be applied with or without the aid of lubricants, salt or herbal preparations, water, heat, or a massage device that mimics or enhances the actions possible by human hands. “Massage” or “massage therapy” does not include therapeutic exercise, intentional joint mobilization or manipulation, or any of the methods described in section 12-35. 5-110 (1) (e). (8) “Massage therapist” means an individual registered by this state to engage in the practice of massage therapy. The terms “masseuse” and “masseur” are synonymous with the term “massage therapist”.

Connecticut Department of Public Health

Connecticut Department of Public Health

Massage Therapist Licensure

410 Capitol Ave., MS # 12 APP

P.O. Box 340308

Hartford, CT 06134

Phone: (860) 509-7603

Fax: (860) 707-1982

Email: dph.alliedhealth@ct.gov

500 hour, NCETMB exam

24 hours of qualifying continuing education every 4 years.  

  http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=389350

Graduation from a school of massage therapy offering a course of study of not less than five hundred (500) classroom hours with the instructor present, and at the time of the applicant’s graduation held a current school code assigned by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and was either (A) accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or by a state board of post-secondary technical trade and business schools; or (B) accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).  Please note that on-line instruction is not acceptable towards meeting the 500 classroom hours:

The continuing education shall be in areas related to the licensee’s practice, including, but not limited to, courses offered by providers that are approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.  No more than 6 hours of continuing education can be achieved in via Internet-based or distance learning programs.  No more than 12 hours can be obtained from programs not approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  The Department does not approve continuing education courses, pre-approve specific coursework for individual licensees or  maintain a list of continuing education courses.

Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork

Board of Massage and Bodywork

Mailing address:
Cannon Building,
Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904

(302) 744-4500
(302) 739-2711
customerservice.dpr@state.de.us

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c053/sc01/index.shtml

“Massage and bodywork therapist” shall mean a person who represents himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “bodywork,” “massage,” “massage therapist,” “massage therapy,” “massage practitioner,” “massagist,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” or who engages in the practice of massage and bodywork for a fee, monetary or otherwise.

(4) “Massage technician” shall mean a person, who is certified with the Board to perform certain functions within the practice of massage therapy, and who is authorized by the Board to use any title or description of services incorporating the words “bodywork,” “massage,” “massage practitioner,” “massagist,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” or certified massage technician” but shall be prohibited from using the words “therapist” or “therapy.”

(6) “Practice of massage and bodywork” shall mean a system of structured touch applied to the superficial or deep tissue, muscle, or connective tissue, by applying pressure with manual means. Such application may include, but is not limited to, friction, gliding, rocking, tapping, kneading, or nonspecific stretching, whether or not aided by massage oils or the application of hot and cold treatments. The practice of massage and bodywork is designed to promote general relaxation, enhance circulation, improve joint mobilization and/or relieve stress and muscle tension, and to promote a general sense of well-being. http://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c053/sc02/index.shtml

Massage and bodywork therapists licensed under this chapter may practice massage and/or bodywork therapy on referral or prescription from a licensed medical or osteopathic physician or chiropractor as deemed appropriate by the referring physician or chiropractor. Massage technicians certified under this chapter are prohibited from practicing on referral or prescription from a licensed medical or osteopathic physician or chiropractor and from treating medically diagnosed conditions.

From FAQ’s section“A Certified Massage Technician is prohibited from working on medically diagnosed conditions and from working on referrals from a physician or chiropractor. Only a Licensed Massage Therapist can work on medically diagnosed conditions. Also, the Certified Massage Technician may neither call himself or herself a “therapist” nor use the word “therapy” in describing his or her profession nor in anyway imply that he or she is certified to practice massage therapy.”

District of Columbia

899 North Capitol Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-5955
Fax: (202) 442-4795
TTY: 711
Email:doh@dc.gov

Health Professions Licensing Administrations

CE Requirements: ”

(a) Three (3) hours of professional ethics; and

(b) Nine (9) hours of massage-related course work provided by aBoard approved provider of which six (6) hours shall becompleted in a live classroom setting taught by an appropriateinstructor.”

SCOPE OF PRACTICE
7510.1 A massage therapist or any person so authorized under the Act toperform massage therapy may perform therapeutic maneuvers in which the practitioner applies massage techniques, including use of the hand or limb, by applying touch and pressure to the human body. Such techniques include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Stroking, (including but not limited to Effluerage);

(b) Kneading, (including but not limited to Petrissage);

(c) Tapping, (including but not limited to Tapotement);

(d) Flexibility training, (including but not limited to stretching, strengthening, and manual traction);

(e) Compression;

(f) Vibration;

(g) Friction;

(h) Application of heat, cold, and water;

(i) Non-prescription drug applications, (including mild abrasives) for the purpose of improving circulation, enhancing muscle relaxation, relieving muscle pain, reducing stress, or promotion health; or

(j) Holding, positioning, or causing movement of an individual’s body.

7510.2 Massage therapy does not include incidental use of soft tissue manipulation while primarily engaging in another technique or modality  in which a practitioner is qualified.

Florida 

• Ten (10) hours of Florida Laws & Rules for Massage Therapy
• Two (2) hours relating to prevention of medical errors
• Three (3) hours of HIV/AIDS

All courses must be obtained through a Board of Massage Therapy Approved Provider. To view approved CE providers and courses, please visit the www.cebroker.com website.

Georgia

Hawaii

Address:
DCCA-PVL
Att: Massage
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-2694

Email:

massage@dcca.hawaii.gov

Approved Workshops

License Verification

570 hours
written exam (their own state exam : Not NCBTMB or MBLEx)apprenticeship programs allowed.

“Massage”, “massage therapy”, and “Hawaiian massage” commonly known as lomilomi, means any method of treatment of the superficial soft parts of the body, consisting of rubbing, stroking, tapotement, pressing, shaking, or kneading with the hands, feet, elbow, or arms, and whether or not aided by any mechanical or electrical apparatus, appliances, or supplementary aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice. Any mechanical or electrical apparatus used as described in this chapter shall be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.” Massage therapy establishment” means premises occupied and used for the purpose of practicing massage therapy or massage therapy training; provided that when any massage therapy establishment is situated in any building used for residential purposes, the massage therapy establishment premises shall be set apart and shall not be used for any other purpose.” Massage therapist” means any person who engages in the occupation or practice of massage for compensation.

“Massage therapist apprentice” means any person who engages in the occupation or practice of massage under the direct supervision of a sponsoring massage therapist who is employed by or registered with an approved massage establishment.

“Massage therapist student” means any person who engages in the study or practice of massage therapy who is under the direct supervision of the teacher in a school setting.

Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses

NCETMB/MBLEx /NCETM

CE renewals:

Beginning with the second renewal of their license, a licensee shall be required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education (which shall include 1.0 hour in ethics) within the preceding twelve (12) months that meet the requirements

IllinoisDepartment of Financial &
Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: (217) 785-0800
Fax: (217) 782-7645

List of Approved CE Sponsors (PDF)

Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: State Board of Massage Therapy
402 W Washington St, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Laws and Regulations

(a) Applicants for certification must have successfully completed a massage therapy school or program that: (1) requires at least five hundred (500) hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction on massage therapy; (2) is in good standing with a state, regional, or national agency of government charged with regulating massage therapy schools or programs; and (3) is: (A) accredited by: (i) the Indiana commission on proprietary education established by IC 21-17-2-1; or ii) another state where the standards for massage therapy education are substantially the same as the standards in Indiana; or (B) a program at an institution of higher learning that is approved by the board. (b) An applicant who has been educated as a massage therapist in a foreign country may be required to submit a certified copy of all academic records and an evaluation, from an accredited evaluation service approved by the board, of all academic records and credentials so that the board can determine if the applicant’s education is equivalent to the educational requirements in this section.

(1) means the application of massage techniques on the human body;
(2) includes:
(A) the use of touch, pressure, percussion, kneading, movement, positioning, nonspecific stretching, stretching within the normal anatomical range of movement, and holding, with or without the use of massage devices that mimic or enhance manual measures; and
(B) the external application of heat, cold, water, ice, stones, lubricants, abrasives, and topical preparations that are not classified as prescription drugs; and
(3) does not include: (A) spinal manipulation; and (B) diagnosis or prescribing drugs for which a license is required.

IC 25-21.8-4-3 Protection of title Sec. 3. An individual who is not certified under this article may not: (1) profess to be a certified massage therapist; or (2) use: (A) the title “Certified Massage Therapist” or “Massage Therapist”; or (B) the abbreviation “CMT” or “MT” to imply the person is a certified massage therapist

847 IAC 1-2-3 Client assessment and consent Authority: IC 25-21.8-2-9; IC 25-21.8-3-1 Affected: IC 25-21.8

Sec. 3. (a) Prior to providing massage therapy, the certificate holder shall obtain the following from the client: (1) Information about the reasons and expectations for the massage therapy session. 2) Health history and current health status to determine the indications and contraindications for the application of massage therapy. (3) Voluntary and informed consent, either oral or written, for the agreed upon massage therapy services. (4) Written consent of a parent or guardian for any massage therapy services to be provided to a client less than eighteen (18) years of age.

(b) The certificate holder shall do the following: (1) Request from the client only information that is relevant to the professional client-massage therapist relationship. (2) Display a fee schedule or discuss fees and payment with the client prior to providing massage therapy services. (3) Maintain documentation for each massage therapy session, when practicable, including the following: (A) The date of service. (B) Client assessment. (C) Nature of treatment and services provided. (D) Treatment plan, when applicable. (4) Refer the client to a licensed health care professional when appropriate. (5) Respect the client’s right to refuse, modify, or terminate services at any point, regardless of the client’s prior consent. (c) The certificate holder shall not do the following: (1) Massage the breasts of a female client unless the certificate holder has: (A) training in techniques related to therapeutic massage of mammary tissue; and (B) first obtained informed written consent for the treatment from the client. (2) Perform pregnancy massage unless the certificate holder has: (A) training in techniques related to pregnancy or prenatal massage; and (B) first obtained informed written consent for the treatment from the client.

Iowa  Department of Public Health

Iowa Department of Public Health

321 E. 12th Street,

Des Moines, Iowa, 50319-0075

 (515) 281-7689 or toll-free at 1-866-227-9878

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/DOCS/ACO/IC/LINC/Chapter.152C.pdf

“Massage therapy” means performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy,massotherapy, bodywork, bodywork therapy, or therapeutic massage including hydrotherapy, superficial hot and cold applications, vibration and topical applications, or other therapy which involves manipulation of the muscle and connective tissue of the body, excluding osseous tissue, to treat the muscle tonus system for the purpose of enhancing health, muscle relaxation, increasing range of motion, reducing stress, relieving pain, or improving circulation.

4. “Reflexology” means manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body which isrestricted to the hands, feet, or ears, performed by persons who do not hold themselves out to be massage therapists or to be performing massage therapy.

It is unlawful for a person to engage in or offer to engage in thepractice of massage therapy, or use in connection with the person’s name, the initials “L. M. T.”or the words “licensed massage therapist”, “massage therapist”, “masseur”, “masseuse”, or any other word or title that implies or represents that the person practices massage therapy,unless the person possesses a license issued under the provisions of section 152C.3.

Exemptions: Reflexologists, Feldenkrais Practitioners, Trager, Mind/Body Centering programs

Kansas

Kentucky

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Maine

Maryland

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North Carolina

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South Carolina:

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