New bills affecting the reflexology and massage therapy professions have been introduced in the New York State legislature this session. AB 2286 and SB 2599 would require that anyone practicing reflexology in New York State obtain a New York reflexology license. The bills would create a new State Board of Reflexology to administer the licensing program. In order to obtain the new mandatory license, an applicant would be required to:
- hold a current certificate from the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) or another national certification program approved by the Board,
- have a high school diploma,
- have completed 200 hours of training from a registered school or institute of reflexology,
- pass a Board-approved examination, and
- pass a criminal background check.
Only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. would be eligible for the mandatory reflexology license. Two more bills, AB 871 and SB 1318, provide that a massage therapist who is licensed in good standing in another state and who is conducting a hands-on demonstration of modalities and techniques within New York State would be subject to the disciplinary and regulatory authority of the New York Board of Regents, and must comply with the all of the provisions of the New York massage therapy law. We will keep you updated in any important developments on these bills.