In our March 2015 legislative update we discussed that the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (NCBMBT) had proposed rules to begin licensing massage establishments. ABMP is opposed to regulatory boards attempting to regulate businesses since local jurisdictions usually regulate businesses already if they find a need to do so. After receiving public comments in May 2015, the NCBMBT voted at its June 2015 meeting to adopt the rule. Before the rule becomes officially adopted, however, the rule proposal must be approved by the North Carolina Rules Review Commission.
ABMP submitted a letter to the Rules Review Commission on July 1, 2015, stating our case as to why we believe the NCBMBT is operating outside its authority by submitting the rules since it is not authorized by statute to regulate or license massage establishments. The RRC was supposed to review the rules at its July 16, 2015 meeting; however, the hearing has been postponed to September 17, 2015 at the request of NCBMBT. We will keep members informed. You can read ABMP’s letter to the RRC here.
There is no action to take at this time. For now, the rules remain the same and there is no new establishment licensing.