New Jersey

Recently introduced NJ Assembly Bill 3469 and identical NJ Senate Bill 1608 propose to make two important changes to New Jersey’s massage therapy licensing law.

We know that many of you have encountered significant delays and other frustrating obstacles obtaining your New Jersey massage licenses.  However, the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy's rules require that all massage therapy licenses must be renewed by November 30 of every even-numbered year.  This means that, no matter when you received your license, you must renew it by November 30, 2014.  The Board will be mailing renewal notices containing instructions on how to renew in late September (60 days prior to the November 30 renewal date). 

The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy indicated at its meeting on September 26, 2012, that a massage license is not required for people who practice only Reiki in New Jersey. Click here to read the September 26, 2012 Board meeting minutes (see page 3, paragraph E).

At its meeting on September 26, 2012, the New Jersey Massage Board indicated, in response to an inquiry from a Reiki practitioner, that a massage license is not required for people who practice only Reiki in New Jersey. Click here to read the relevant Board meeting minutes (see page 3, paragraph E).

Applications for New Jersey licensing are now available. This is not voluntary. All massage therapists and those who practice Asian Bodywork must now have a state license in order to practice. We recommend that you begin the license application process as soon you can. The application process is entirely on-line; there are no paper applications available. We also recommend that you have access to a printer so you can print a copy of the receipt, and any other pages for your records.

To: NJ ABMP members

From: Jean Robinson, government relations director

RE: February 29, 2012 Board Meeting, Board review of public comments submitted

Applications for licensing are NOT available yet, and probably won't be available until the fall at the earliest. There is no action for you to take at this time; this is simply an update.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini , Assembly Bill 456 proposes to regulate massage and bodywork therapy advertisements. If passed, any advertisement for massage and bodywork therapies must contain the telephone number for the New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline, as well as the registration number of the advertising business or therapist.

The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has been drafting rules and regulations to implement the law passed by the legislature in January 2008. When fully implemented, this law will change the regulation of massage therapists in New Jersey from voluntary certification (title protection) to mandatory licensing. All massage therapists (and certain bodyworkers) will be required to obtain a state license to practice.

The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has been working to draft proposed rules and regulations to implement the law passed by the legislature in January 2008. When fully implemented, the law will change the regulation of massage therapists in New Jersey from a voluntary title protection to a mandatory practice act. All massage therapists (and certain bodyworkers) will be required to obtain a state license to practice. How the board interprets and implements the law passed in 2008 is a very important step in the process.

Governor Corzine has appointed members to the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of writing the rules and regulations to implement the law. ABMP will keep members informed of the progress the board makes and when applications become available.