Idaho Bill Would Regulate Massage Therapists

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A bill, sponsored by Senator Hammond, will be introduced in the Idaho Senate early next week. If passed, the bill would require massage therapists to become licensed by the state and establish a Board of Massage Therapy to implement the process.

The bill would set minimum training requirements, define a scope of practice, provide an avenue for consumer complaint, and pre-empt local regulations.

Generous grandfathering requirements for current practitioners

For a period of two years, existing practitioners would be able to qualify for a state license by meeting one of the following criteria:

1. Has completed a massage program consisting of a minimum of 500 hours; or
2. Has completed a massage program of at least 300 hours and has practiced massage for at least 5 hours a week for a period of 3 years; or
3. Has completed a massage program of at least 200 hours and has practiced massage for at least 5 hours a week for a period of 5 years; or
4. Has been an active member of a national massage therapist association (such as ABMP) which provides professional liability insurance for at least a year; or
5. Has passed an examination approved by the board.

After two years, all applicants would have to demonstrate they have completed a massage program consisting of at least 500 hours and passed an examination approved by the board.

Several practices would be exempt from licensure as long as practitioners do not practice, or advertise that they practice massage therapy, including: reflexology, movement education (Feldenkrais, Trager, and Body-Mind Centering), energy work (Reiki, Shiatsu, Asian Bodywork, Polarity), structural integration (Rolfing and Hellerwork).

ABMP is supportive of the bill.