Brief Description: Establishing an intraoral massage endorsement for massage therapists.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Kenney, Curtis, Cody and Upthegrove).

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

Background:

Massage therapy is a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage techniques include tapping, compression, friction, Swedish gymnastics, gliding, kneading, shaking, and facial or connective tissue stretching.

Any person practicing or representing himself or herself as a massage practitioner must be licensed by the Department of Health.

Summary:

A licensed massage therapist may apply for an endorsement to perform intraoral massage after completing training specified by the Washington State Board of Massage. The training must include, among other things, intraoral massage techniques, cranial anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, and hygienic practices.

"Intraoral massage" means the manipulation or pressure of soft tissue inside the mouth for therapeutic purposes.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   91   1
Senate   49   0

Effective: July 22, 2007