State and Local Priorities

March 21, 2024

On January 16th, Governor Dunleavy issued Executive Order 127, which intended to eliminate the independent Board of Massage Therapy and place all regulation of the massage profession under the Department of Commerce in Alaska. We are pleased to report that after the exhaustive grassroots efforts of the AMTA-AK Chapter and volunteers, this measure was overturned during a joint session on March 12th. The Alaska Board of Massage Therapy will now be allowed to continue as the regulating authority in the state!

This is a significant win for massage therapists in Alaska. Maintaining an independent Board of Massage Therapy allows for more focused expertise on the profession’s unique needs and practices, helping facilitate regulations that ensure appropriate standards of education and licensing requirements. This autonomy benefits both massage practitioners and the public.

March 15, 2024

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the massage profession by our AMTA-AZ chapter and lobbyist, we are pleased to share that HB 2169, a bill to merge the Board of Massage Therapy with the Board of Cosmetology, will not move forward this year.

AMTA is committed to collaborating with the Governor's office in the coming months to try and find a better solution prior to the next legislative session, so we can facilitate a smooth transition or a continuation hearing for the Board of Massage Therapy in 2025. As part of these conversations, we will work with the Governor's office to advocate for additional resources to begin combating the licensing delay issues.

March 2023

In 2022, the Arizona legislature passed House Bill 2438 (HB 2438) with an effective date of January 1, 2023, which revised the background check process for massage therapists by requiring a fingerprint clearance card.

As you may be aware, the Arizona Department of Professional Services (DPS) was unable to issue the new fingerprint clearance cards due to pending approval from the FBI, which was creating difficulties for those looking to obtain new licenses. We are pleased to report that as of March 7, 2023, the Arizona DPS has received approval to begin issuing these clearance cards.

Tennessee HB 1610 Seeks to Increase Education Hours

February 8, 2024 - House Bill 1610 (HB 1610) seeks to increase entry-level education requirements for licensed massage therapists from 500 hours to 650 hours, allowing massage schools in Tennessee to maintain Title IV status, and students to continue to receive federal funding.

The recent decisions made by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) could negatively impact the flow of students in massage schools if they do not have access to Title IV funding. This could greatly reduce the supply of massage therapy graduates entering the workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 20% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations. That's why it's an important moment in time to raise education hours and allow Title IV funding to continue in your state.

In addition, increasing massage program hours is a positive step towards ensuring the highest standards of education and training for massage therapists in Tennessee. By raising the minimum required hours, this bill would enhance the professionalism and competency of massage practitioners for a rapidly emerging healthcare profession, leading to improved patient/client outcomes and safety.

Support HB 1610

Utah Passes The Massage Therapy Practice Act Amendments

We want to say thank you to our amazing members, volunteers and concerned citizens who sent over 1,000 messages to state legislators to advocate for allowing the Utah Board of Massage Therapy to continue! On the morning of October 11, 2023, more than 50 massage therapists showed up in person and virtually to support the massage profession, and we are pleased to report that the Massage Therapy Practice Act Amendments were unanimously passed out of the committee, extending the next sunset date to July 1, 2034.