Reopening Massachusetts is moving into Phase II as of June 8, 2020. Businesses offering close-contact personal services may resume operations in Step 2 of Phase II.
Massachusetts
Board of Registration of Massage Therapy
1000 Washington St, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
Phone: 617-701-8630
Fax: 617-727-9932
Email: Massagetherapy@mass.gov
> Website
Title: Licensed Massage Therapist
Requirements: 650 hours Liability insurance required
Renewal: No Ce Requirement, Annual renewal on the 28th day of your birth month
Last July we posted information about two bodywork licensing bills introduced in the Massachusetts Senate. The bills have been proceeding through the legislative process with numerous amendments, and there is now only one bill, MA SB 2621, which has passed in the Senate and is now before the House. If passed, the bill will require that "bodyworkers" in Massachusetts obtain a bodywork license in order to practice, and would also require licensure of bodywork schools. The bill provides the following definitions:
Effective January 13, 2017, new regulations are now in effect for the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy which implemented both major and minor changes to several portions of the Board’s regulations. The Board’s explanation of the rule changes that impact current licensees are summarized below. You can click here to read the full “Frequently Asked Questions” statement issued by the Board.
Under new clause (54 ½) of section 6 of Chapter 136 of the Massachusetts General Laws, massage therapy services may now be performed by licensed MT"s on Sundays. The prior state law prohibited massage on Sundays.
Our last legislative update discussed 2011 Massachusetts Senate Bill 90, which proposed to amend the state’s massage licensing law by, among other things, increasing the classroom hours required for licensure from 650 to 900 hours. SB 90 did not pass in the state legislature and has not been reintroduced in subsequent legislative sessions. We will keep you updated on future legislation affecting massage therapists in Massachusetts.
Senate bill 90, sponsored by Senator Chang-Diaz , would increase the entry-level education required for licensure of massage therapists. ABMP is strongly opposed to SB 90. If passed, first time applicants for a license to practice massage therapy would have to complete a 900 hour massage program to qualify for a license to practice.
The regulations for Facility licensure are now in effect. Locations offering massage in the Commonwealth are required to have a current Massage Establishment License. Penalties of up to $1,000 can be assigned for the first violation, so do not delay in submitting your application.
The application can be found at:
http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/dpl/boards/mt/mt_establishment_application.pdf
View ABMP's comments on the proposed rules for establishments.
The Board of Registration of Massage Therapy will be hosting a public hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008 at 239 Causeway Street, Second Floor, Boston, MA, 02114. Interested parties will be given an opportunity to present testimony orally or in writing at the hearing regarding proposed rules for massage therapy establishments. You may also mail or e-mail your comments.
Grandfathering Deadline Extended in Massachusetts
The grandfathering provision deadline has been extended for massage therapists in Massachusetts. The original deadline of May 1, 2008, has been extended to December 1, 2009. If you have not yet applied for a license, the application instructions and application can be found at: www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt.