Virginia legislature shows support for massage licensure portability and you can too. Send a letter to your representatives today!
Virginia
Department of Health Professions
Virginia Board of Nursing
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463
Phone: 804-367-4614
Fax: 804-527-4455
Email:
massagetherapy@dhp.virginia.gov
> Website
Title: Licensed Massage Therapist
Requirement: 500 hours and MBLEx, background check and fingerprints
Renewal: 24 hours/2 years
The Virginia bill discussed in our last update, Virginia HB 562, has become law. The new law changes Virginia's massage therapy regulation system from certification, also known as "title protection," to mandatory licensure.
HB 562, introduced in the Virginia legislature this session, proposes to change Virginia's massage therapy regulation system from certification, also known as "title protection," to mandatory licensure. Under the current certification system, any person who claims to be a massage therapist, or uses any title or designation tending to imply that he or she is a massage therapist, must obtain the state massage therapy certification.
Our last Virginia Legislative Update discussed 2012 HB 543, which initially proposed a new mandatory state license requirement for Virginia massage therapists. The bill was substantially amended during the legislative process, and the final version of the bill made only minor changes to the existing law which did not include a mandatory licensing provision. The amended bill became law in April 2012, and is codified at
House Bill 543 was introduced on January 11, 2012. As proposed, the bill would amend several different Virginia laws, including the regulation of massage therapists. Massage therapy is currently a certified profession under the Board of Nursing. The certification includes title protection but not a well-defined scope of practice. HB 543 would define the scope of practice for massage therapists and create a mandatory practice act. Anyone practicing massage therapy would have to be licensed by the State Board of Nursing.
Senate bill 878 would create a five member Advisory Board on Massage Therapy under the Board of Nursing. ABMP supports SB 878.
To read the entire bill, go to http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+SB878ER