The Virginia legislature introduced House Bill 323 (HB 323), the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), in January. The IMpact will simplify interstate massage therapy practice and regulation with the goal of reducing unnecessary burdens related to licensure by endorsement or reciprocity. Essentially, HB 323 will make it easier for licensed massage therapists to work in other jurisdictions.
Once at least seven states pass the IMpact, licensed massage therapists will be able to temporarily move from one state to another by applying for a multistate license without long application wait times or a hiatus between practicing. Eligible massage therapists must have 625 hours of massage therapy education, have passed a national examination, have a clean background check, have no encumbrances against their license in their home state, and had no disciplinary action against their license to obtain a multistate license. Learn more about the Interstate Massage Compact here.
HB 323 ultimately increases licensure mobility of lawfully practicing massage therapists in IMpact-participating states by reducing long processing times and ensuring safe, competent, and reliable massage therapy services to the public.
ABMP is in favor of HB 323 and will send a letter of support to the Virginia legislature ahead of the upcoming committee hearing. If you believe an interstate license would benefit massage therapists, write a letter to your legislators. Please feel free to model your letter after ours and share your own experiences with lawmakers. You may also reference the statements we make in our web post where we address our position on the IMpact.
You can find your state legislators here. If you have questions about the IMpact, please email the ABMP Government Relations team at gr@abmp.com.