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Government Relations

West Virginia Bill Impacts Massage Establishments
05/08/2024

Senate Bill 786 impacts massage establishment licensing, emergency suspension orders, and inspections. ABMP details how the bill may affect you and your business in this legislative web post.

Tennessee Increases Minimum Education Hours
04/29/2024

On April 16, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 1610 and Senate Bill 1588, increasing the minimum massage curriculum hours that an applicant for massage licensure must complete at an approved school for massage, bodywork, or somatic therapy to be eligible for licensure under the Massage Licensure Act. Find out the new state minimum requirement.

Alaska Massage Board Remains Independent and Autonomous
04/24/2024

Executive Order No. 129 sought to dissolve the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists and transfer its functions to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). The executive order was successfully overturned.

Gainful Employment Rules Compliance Updates
04/16/2024

Over the past two weeks, the US Department of Education issued updates to the new “Gainful Employment” (GE) regulations for vocational programs published last fall. This web post addresses the updates to prepare school owners and educators ahead of the July 1, 2024, new GE rule effective date.

Louisiana Bill Proposes Massage Program Hour Increase
04/09/2024

Effective October 1, 2024, Louisiana massage students will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid because massage programs are limited by Louisiana law. But there is a solution: Senate Bill 353 will increase the required education hours for massage licensure from 500 to 625. ABMP fully supports this bill, and we explain why you should too.

Increasing Education Hours: A Trend on the Rise
03/26/2024

Due to a revised federal rule change, states with minimum-hour education requirements lower than 600 are considering increasing their massage therapy program length. Find out which states have already introduced bills that would raise education hours, which massage boards have proposed and made final rule changes, and why this is becoming a national trend.

FSMTB Clarifies Texas MBLEx Results Misinformation
03/15/2024

The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards informed ABMP that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation released incorrect information in January regarding exam results. Learn more in our web post.

URGENT: License Mobility Losing Support in Georgia
03/15/2024

House Bill 839 (HB 839) would implement the Interstate Massage Compact, simplifying interstate massage therapy practice and regulation with the goal of reducing unnecessary burdens related to licensure by endorsement or reciprocity. ABMP is in favor of HB 839. We need your help to reduce long processing times and ensure safe, competent, and reliable massage therapy services to the public before HB 839 is tabled.