A Message from the Chair of The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy is one of the 28 boards under the Division of Occupational Licensure (“DOL”), an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The Board is comprised of seven members: three licensed massage therapists, one health agent, one who is actively engaged in the operation of a licensed massage school, and two public members. Members of the Board are volunteers appointed by the Governor. The Board is tasked with public protection and regulates the massage therapy profession.
The Board is continuing to review and update the Massage Therapy Regulations. The process of promulgating regulations begins with the Board reviewing the current regulations and making updates to the language. This includes suggestions and recommendations from the public, licensees, organizations, associations, and stakeholders.
The Board has been reviewing and drafting updated regulations for months and has fielded comments, recommendations, and suggestions from the Public. The AMTA Massachusetts Chapter lobbyist and representatives, school representatives and others have been attending these meetings and, in my opinion, contributing in a very meaningful way.
Regulation review is open to the public during the Board’s meeting and is your opportunity to listen to the Board members as they discuss the regulations and vote on changes. It is also an opportunity for you to make suggestions to the Board directly. You can also submit written suggestions to the Board for review.
If you would like to submit written comments, you can email them to Massagetherapy@mass.gov. I recommend that you write “Regulations” in the subject line. I would also ask that you include the specific sections of the current regulations with your comments. Current Massage Regulations can be obtained at: https://www.mass.gov/lists/statutes-and-regulations-massage-therapy.
Some highlights that the Board is reviewing and drafting in the regulations include:
- Adding Continuing Education requirements
- Moving to a renewal every two years instead of annually
- Requiring CPR/AED/First-aid certification for licensing and renewals
- Requiring a written exam for initial licensing
- Updating documentation requirements
- Maintaining a list of current employees
- Interviewing proposed compliance officers
The promulgation of regulations is a process that takes time. So, the above are highlights of the current draft the Board is working through. These are NOT the current regulations, and all licensees should continue to follow the published regulations.
Submit your comments to the Board with this email: Massagetherapy@mass.gov. and if you have the opportunity, please join our next virtual meeting on Monday, August 09, 2021, at 10:00 AM. The meeting can be accessed with the link below.
Thank you,
Paul Andrews, LMT
Board Chair, Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy
MEETING LINK:
Or call in (audio only)
(857) 327-9245
Phone Conference ID: 958 033 792#