Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/694071
Government Relations by Laura Embleton 2016 Legislative Updates Oklahoma and Virginia Both Oklahoma and Virginia are moving to mandatory licensure of massage therapists. Oklahoma's Senate Bill 687 creates licensure where none existed before, requiring a license to practice after May 1, 2017. Requirements include being at least 18 years old, having 500 hours of education, securing liability insurance, passing a national exam, and disclosing criminal convictions. Between now and May 1, 2017, licenses will be issued to those therapists who submit an application, who are at least 18, and who have either passed the national exam, have proof of fi ve years' practice experience in Oklahoma, or who have earned 500 education hours. Licensing will be managed by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Virginia moved from voluntary certifi cation to mandatory licensing with its House Bill 562. The majority of the bill changed the language from "certifi ed" to "licensed." Anyone holding a certifi cate to practice massage therapy prior to January 1, 2017, will be regarded as already having a license and the Virginia Board of Nursing will renew that individual. Certifi cates shall be issued until the rules have been enacted; the Board of Nursing must draft rules by December 15, 2017. New applicants must be 18 years old, To learn more about legislative initiatives in your state, log in to ABMP.com and go to "Career Development," then click "Regulation and Advocacy." ABMP will continue to keep you informed of bills, regulations, and proposed changes in your state. have completed a minimum 500 hours of training, passed the MBLEx, and not have committed any acts that would be grounds for discipline. This bill is now law and takes effect July 1, 2016. Maryland Maryland established a State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, separating the Massage Therapy Board from the Chiropractic Board. House Bill 1420 provides that both boards shall have the same executive director and staff. The licensure requirements have not changed. Massage therapists can apply to be a member of the board if they are in good standing, have gone to a board- approved school, and have practiced for at least fi ve years. Laws related to obtaining a license and qualifying as "registered" remain the same. Colorado and Hawaii Both states created more regulation distinguishing unlicensed, unlawful behavior from those who use the Massage Practice Acts for criminal cover. Colorado's House Bill 1320 was amended to provide for some additional criminal ramifi cations for those who aid and abet human traffi cking while pretending to practice massage therapy or some exempt modalities. Hawaii's Senate Bill 2863 establishes violations and fi nes for failing to "conspicuously display" the licenses of all licensed massage therapists during hours of operation, identifying apprentices with a name tag, operating the business without the principal massage therapist during all hours of operation, and including the massage therapy license number in advertising. Laura Embleton is ABMP's director of government relations. Contact her at laura@abmp.com. The majority of the bill changed the language from "certifi ed" to "licensed." Anyone holding a certifi cate to practice massage therapy prior to January 1, 2017, will be regarded as already having a license and the Virginia Board of Nursing will renew that individual. Certifi cates shall be issued until the rules have been enacted; the To learn more about legislative initiatives in your state, log in to ABMP.com and go to "Career Development," then click "Regulation and Advocacy." ABMP will continue to keep you informed of bills, regulations, and proposed changes in your state. DS 4 July August 2016 A number of bills addressing massage therapy were introduced in the last legislative session, and ABMP was there to advocate on behalf of our members. We had a number of successes; in some instances, however, we were only able to provide comment for consideration. Following are a few legislative highlights.