New Hampshire

The New Hampshire legislature introduced House Bill 341, which would create massage therapy establishment licensing. The bill is being heard by the Executive Departments and Administration Committee (Committee) at 10:45 a.m. EST on January 25. If you are opposed to establishment licensure, ABMP encourages you to advocate and speak your mind by emailing your opinions to the Committee.

Emergency Order #40 expired May 31, 2020, and was not renewed or replaced by Governor Sununu, effectively allowing businesses in Exhibit D, including massage therapy establishments, to resume business operations June 1, 2020.

Legislators in New Hampshire are considering House Bill 121 (HB121), a bill that requires massage therapy, reflexology, structural integration, and Asian bodywork therapy establishments to be registered and licensed if there are two or more therapists practicing in the establishment.

New Hampshire HB 1294, which was introduced this legislative session, proposes that new language be added to the state’s massage therapy statute clarifying the exemption from licensure as a massage therapist for a person practicing Bowen therapy. We will keep you updated on the status of this bill.

On January 5, 2012, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to defeat HB 446. The bill would have changed the mandatory licensing of several professions, including massage therapists and bodyworkers, to voluntary "licensing." ABMP was opposed to the bill.

ABMP thanks members who contacted, or met with, state representatives and asked them to vote "no" on HB 446. We believe this successful outcome is a testament to the importance of legislators hearing from their constituents.

On October 27, 2011, the House Committee of Executive Departments and Administration voted (by a very narrow margin) to pass an amended version of HB 446. If passed by the full legislature, the bill would amend the current mandatory licensing programs for several professions (including massage therapy) and make "licensing" voluntary.  The next step in the process occurs on January 4^th, 2012, when HB 446 will be voted on by the House of Representatives.

Please contact your representative and ask them to vote "no" on HB 446.

House Bill 446 FN, sponsored by Representative Spec Bowers (Phone: (603)763-2369 Email: spec.bowers@leg.state.nh.us ) of Sunapee, would repeal the professional regulation of several occupations in New Hampshire, including massage therapists, reflexologists, structural integrators, and Asian bodywork therapists. A hearing has been scheduled for February 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the House Committee of Executive Departments and Administration.

House Bill 52, sponsored by Representative Millham, would make various technical changes to the regulation of massage therapists. If passed, the board would be able to grant a temporary license to massage therapists moving from another state who have practiced at least three years, the practical exam would be eliminated, some practices would become exempt from licensure (e.g., energy work), and the exam language would change to read "a psychometrically valid examination approved by the commissioner." ABMP supports HB 52.

House Bill 908-FN was heard in the Executive Departments and Administration Committee on March 20th. Following an hour of testimony in a crowded committee room, the bill has been retained. A subcommittee will be assigned and the bill will be reviewed and discussed over the summer.

ABMP will share additional information as we receive it.

House Bill 908-FN sponsored by Representative Baroody has been introduced in the New Hampshire General Court and is scheduled to be heard in the Executive Departments and Administration Committee on March 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.