Skip to content
- Practice Framework – Most professions have what is called a Practice Framework that directs many of the other things like licensing, legislation, and include a vision, mission, definitions of terms, scope of practice (Model Practice Act), Education Standards, curriculum (ELAP), licensing, career progression (Massage school, Board Certification, Specialty Certifications, Degrees) that is updated regularly. The Massage Profession has pieces of it but they are not implemented which often leads to fighting fires in the massage profession (DoE ruling, license portability, Illicit businesses, etc)
- Licensing and legislation reform.
- Update the Body of Knowledge and use it to define the scope of practice and implement similar scope of practice in each state. Use the BOK to inform boards and massage schools about the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Our educational requirements vary state to state and many are unaware of the Entry Level Analysis Project’s (ELAP www.elapmassage.org) recommened hours and competencies.
- Move CE requirements in licensing language to Continuing Competence. See the CE Conundrum. State boards require Continuing Education that varies greatly and does not provide continuing competence (CC). CC is different than CE and different from Professional Development. CE and PD should be the responsibility of our professional associations.
- Update if needed Model Practice Act (PDF) created by the Federation of State Massage Boards and implement in every state.
- Figure out Stronger Language to help untangle massage therapy from sex work. Look into city/county ordinances and things like the landlord engagement project by the Network Team (www.thenetworkteam.org)
- Licensing portability.
- Consistent licensing requirements, education requirements, ce requirements, draping requirements, ethics requirements, unlicensed practice laws will improve the image of the massage profession and allow massage therapists to work in other states more easily.
- IMpact – Interstate Massage Compact is in progress. It shows us where the gaps are in our consistency in licensing and legislation issues.
- Combating illicit massage businesses.
- Hands Off Our Name: Massage is Therapy
- Eliminate Establishment Licensing Laws
- Create Model Ordiances for cities/counties
- Integrating massage therapy into healthcare systems.
- Massage is Healthcare no matter where massage is given – in spas, resorts or clinical settings.
- Remove the term Medical Massage and replace with Clinical Massage. See the Medical Massage Conundrum.
- Create Clinical Massage Competencies and Implement.
- Create Clinical Massage CERTIFICATION
- Get Massage Therapy covered by Health Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and provide support for working with insurance in the form of advocating for fair pay, fair benefits and adequate networks.
- The Massage Therapy Workplace
– Educate employers and employees on misclassification of employees as independent contractors.
– Support Unionization of Massage Therapists and/or better working environments. (What other profession is paid only when they have clients?)
- Preserve and Protect History of the Massage Therapy Profession.
- The Call for Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision is a relatively new concept in the massage profession, offering therapists a supportive environment to process client interactions, set clear boundaries, and prevent burnout. Engaging with a more experienced therapist through supervision helps practitioners understand their motivations, establish effective client relationships, and attract ideal clients who value massage. This process is essential for personal and professional growth, ensuring therapists meet their own needs while providing client-centered care. Look into making it a requirement for licensed massage therapists.
