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Pennsylvania
Massage Licensing Bill Passes
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House Bill 2499, a
legislative proposal to license massage
therapists, was signed into law by Governor
Rendell yesterday. The law requires the
governor to appoint a regulatory board to
implement the law. The board will consist of
six massage therapists, two members of the
public, and three representatives from
different government departments. ABMP will
inform members when the governor begins
accepting applications to be appointed to
the board. The board will have the
responsibility of writing rules and
regulations to implement the law, including
an application process. |
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As previously reported, the
law will allow existing practitioners to
qualify for a license without obtaining
additional education or taking an exam. To
qualify for a license under the
grandfathering provision an applicant will
be required to demonstrate they have
actively practiced massage therapy and meet
ONE of the following requirements:
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1.
Has been in active, continuous practice for
a minimum of 5 years; OR
2.
Has passed a massage therapy exam that is
part of a certification program accredited
by the National Commission of Certifying
Agencies (NCCA); OR
3.
Has completed a minimum of 500 hours of
massage education; OR
4.
Has completed at least 100 hours of massage
education and passed the National Exam for
State Licensure (NESL) offered by the
National Certification Board for Therapeutic
Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); OR
5.
Has completed at least 100 hours of massage
education and passed the Massage and
Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by
the Federation of State Massage Therapy
Boards (FSMTB). |
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Once a massage therapist
obtains a license through the grandfathering
provision, the only requirement for
maintenance of his or her license would be
to complete 24 hours continuing education
for renewal every two years. |
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To qualify for licensure
after the grandfathering provision expires,
an applicant must have completed a minimum
600 hour massage therapy program and pass an
exam approved or administered by the board.
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Professions exempt from
massage therapy licensure would include
energy work, movement education, and
reflexology. |
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There is no action to take at
this time. It can take up to a year for the
board to be appointed and an application
process to be put in place. ABMP will keep
members informed as progress is made. |
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Read the entire law. |
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