A few weeks ago, an Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) member from Minnesota reached out to the ABMP Government Relations team to inquire about legislation enacting massage licensure in their state. Like many professionals in Minnesota, this member had questions, concerns, and excitement about the state’s potential move toward licensure.
“Am I exempt because of legacy?” “Will I have to take continuing education?” “What does this mean if I move to a different state?”
Her questions are neither unique to Minnesota nor to new licensing laws. Instead, these questions will likely be common themes across many states and legislatures in 2024. The upcoming year could see two states introduce legislation enacting statewide licensure (Minnesota and Kansas), while others may adopt the Interstate Massage Compact, and some could tweak existing massage statutes, including core education and continuing education.
While many of these questions have yet to be ironed out, ABMP has longstanding positions we will advocate for and continue to elevate. Where new wrinkles arise, we will seek member input, keep you apprised of developments, and work together to elevate the massage profession.
Massage Licensure
ABMP supports state licensure for massage therapy, and we will actively support potential legislation in Kansas and Minnesota. In short, licensure professionalizes massage therapy and provides increased public protection (for professionals and consumers) by establishing basic education requirements and defining a scope of practice. While some may see licensure as a barrier, ABMP sees an opportunity to elevate the profession.
ABMP supports basic requirements for licensure, but we know every state’s context is different. For example, while ABMP supports continuing education (as you will read later), legislation in Minnesota will likely not initially include continuing education requirements, though Kansas will. In Minnesota, the massage community working to advance licensure decided continuing education was not essential to include in its laws; Kansas decided its laws should outline requirements for continuing education.
Continuing Education
ABMP historically supports continuing education. We believe in lifelong learning that refreshes techniques and supports knowledge building that updates professionals’ understanding of ethics, laws, and massage essentials.
ABMP also believes that continuing education requirements should be reasonable and fair. This means we believe in a sweet spot that doesn’t burden professionals with too many required hours in too short a time period; instead, continuing education should be completed in regular intervals (e.g., every two or three years) and include 6–18 hours (with a minimum of two hours in professional ethics).
Legacy Clauses
Over the past 25 years, states requiring massage therapists to qualify for licensure have increased from 22 to 45. A consistent feature when discussing licensure is the idea of legacy—often referred to as “grandfathering” in legislative bills—securing a license based on prior education and experience.
Legacy consideration is also arising as part of a new trend—consideration by some states to adjust the required hours of education from 500 to the 600–750 range. The driving factor has been the Entry-Level Analysis Project (ELAP) recommendation of “approximately 625 hours,” detailed by subject matter that has been widely accepted as needed to prepare students to practice massage safely and effectively.
ABMP joined a coalition of national massage organizations and experts in the development of ELAP. While the resulting recommendation language supports some flexibility, ABMP supports the trend toward the ELAP recommendation.
Change is hard, especially when it could be viewed as a barrier or burden. That’s why ABMP supports reasonable legacy clauses for seasoned professionals. We know many folks have dedicated their lives to perfecting skills and knowledge, yet their background may not exactly match new requirements. That’s why legacy clauses are important to licensure laws: to ensure experienced professionals are not displaced or disregarded.
Next year, ABMP will advocate for reasonable legacy clauses in states that introduce legislation to enact massage licensure and those that place new requirements in existing laws. Generally, we believe veteran massage professionals who have practiced for a minimum number of years, acquired a certain level of education, and/or passed the MBLEx should not be penalized by new laws. Instead, your prior experience and education should be acknowledged.
Interstate Compact
The Interstate Compact presents an opportunity for states to establish uniform standards that allow professionals to be mobile and gainfully employed regardless of location. The Interstate Compact will grant qualifying professionals a multistate license that allows them to practice in participating states. Much like a driver’s license, the Interstate Massage Compact expands massage professionals’ earning ability, allows for mobility, and reduces financial burdens related to licensure. You can learn more about the Interstate Compact at massagecompact.org.
Undoubtedly, other themes and policy issues will arise. No matter the topic or circumstance, the ABMP Government Relations team will help you decipher legislature, rules, and proposals. More importantly, we will help you elevate your voice and your expertise.