Rehab

Michigan, Indiana seek to license massage therapists

Rehab Regs, January 27, 2006

Legislators in Indiana and Michigan are seeking bills that would require massage therapists to be licensed, reported the South Bend (IN) Tribune.

The states are two of 14 in the country that don't require massage therapists to be certified--but with the backing of the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA), that could change soon.

The AMTA is concerned that many patients just assume their massage therapists are certified and wind up receiving treatment for serious conditions from someone who doesn't have the proper training.

AMTA's other concern is that many insurance companies will not pay for massages by untrained therapists.

The bills would require therapists to complete 500 credit hours with an approved school, receive continuing education credits, and pass a recognized written exam, such as the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the Tribune reported.

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