AMTA Supports the Revised Massage Compact, Following Finalization of Updates by CSG and DoD
November 13, 2025
In August, the Department of Defense (DoD) reached out to AMTA to seek our feedback on the Interstate Massage Therapy Compact. In response, AMTA shared our previously conveyed concerns and recommendations to help strengthen the Compact and expand support across both the profession and state legislators.
After we shared our concerns, AMTA received proposed revisions to the Interstate Massage Compact that addressed several of the issues we raised. The Council of State Governments (CSG) and the DoD drafted these updates, opened them for public comment, and have now officially adopted key revisions with overwhelming support—resulting in a stronger, more inclusive, and more effective Massage Therapy Compact for the profession. These revisions reflect some of the intent outlined in the joint letter from AMTA and FSMTB in September 2024 and are designed to build broader support for the Compact among massage therapists and state lawmakers while maintaining high standards of public safety.
The Purpose of the Massage Therapy Compact
The Massage Therapy Compact allows licensed massage therapists, who meet the requirements, to practice in multiple states without needing to apply for additional licenses. It aims to enhance professional mobility while maintaining strong public protection standards through consistent eligibility and verification requirements.
Two Versions of the Massage Therapy Compact
There are now two versions of the Massage Therapy Compact legislation:
- The IMpact – The original version of the legislation which is rigid and relies on a future commission to address additional eligibility through rulemaking to realize some of the intent defined in a joint letter issued by AMTA and FSMTB.
- The Revised Massage Therapy Compact – The updated legislation, which supports greater mobility by listing, in statute, additional avenues for eligibility, therefore allowing more massage therapists to participate across the country without reducing public safety measures.
We strongly encourage massage therapists and stakeholders to support the revisions to the Massage Therapy Compact. This improved version expands access while promoting a more inclusive and flexible approach to multi-state massage licensure while maintaining a strong commitment to public safety.
Key Updates in the New Massage Therapy Compact
To encourage broader adoption and build trust within the profession and among states, the CSG and DoD made the following statutory revisions to the Compact:
- Legacy Exam Provision
Massage therapists who passed the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) exam before January 1, 2015, are now eligible for a multistate license. - Flexible Education Requirements
Therapists who have fewer than 625 clock hours of massage education may qualify for a multistate license if they have held a license in good standing for at least two years. - Support for Active Military Members and Their Spouses
The revised Compact offers flexibility in education requirements for active military members and their spouses, helping them maintain licensure across state lines. - Maintaining Public Safety
All multistate license holders must still meet high standards of education and pass a national licensing exam. These updates do not compromise public safety. - Expanded Commissioner Eligibility
Licensing boards now have more flexibility in appointing Compact commissioners. Boards may designate either a board member or staff member, rather than being limited to the primary administrative officer or their designee. This change, brought forward by CSG, addresses concerns about workload and staffing capacity and follows best practices as laid out in other compacts.
Support the Revised Massage Therapy Compact
By supporting the Revised Massage Therapy Compact, you are advocating for a more inclusive, flexible, and forward-thinking approach to licensure that benefits practitioners and keeps the public safe. Let’s move forward together and ensure this version of the Compact is adopted nationwide.