Brief Description: Establishing new requirements for licensing massage therapists.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Hinkle, Moeller and Green).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

To practice massage therapy, a person must be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH). The practice of massage therapy is a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissues for therapeutic purposes. The practice is regulated under rules adopted by the Washington State Board of Massage (Board) and approved by the Secretary of the DOH.

An applicant for a license must successfully complete a course of study in an approved program, successfully complete an examination, and be 18 years of age or older.

Under Board rules, a massage therapist must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years.

Summary:

Continuing Education Requirement.

Renewal of a massage practitioner's license requires, in addition to other requirements, completion of continuing education requirements, as established and administered by the Board.

Inactive Credential.

The Secretary of the DOH must grant an inactive credential to a massage practitioner if the practitioner submits a letter to the Board stating the intent to obtain an inactive credential and the practitioner holds an active license in good standing and does not practice massage in Washington.

A massage practitioner's inactive credential may be reinstated if the practitioner meets the Board's reinstatement requirements, pays the renewal fee, and provides a written declaration that: (1) no action has been taken by a state or federal jurisdiction or a hospital that would restrict the practitioner's practice, (2) he or she has not voluntarily given up a credential to avoid sanctions, and (3) he or she has satisfied continuing education and competency requirements for the most recent two years.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   93   0
Senate   45   1

Effective: July 1, 2009