Elements of a Massage Therapy Practice Act

Learn what you must and should have in a baseline massage therapy practice act.

Must Have Elements of a Baseline Massage Therapy Practice Act

• At least the minimum scope of practice for massage based on a definition of those massage procedures which are observable by the common person (i.e., the physical action of the therapist touching the client is observable.)

Should Have Elements of a Baseline Massage Therapy Practice Act

The association advises chapters that the following content and practice conditions are should have elements of a baseline practice act:

A means of recognizing, for the purpose of licensure, a valid license held by a practitioner that has been granted by another state government.

Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that their services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education, the Rolf Institute’ s Rolf Movement Integration, the Trager Approach to movement education, and Body-Mind Centering. Practitioners must be recognized by or meet the established standards of either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimal level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards.