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The Role of State Boards
This was first published in Mike Hinkle's magazine and we had a big discussion about it yesterday on FB, so I have decided to repost it here.
I've been serving on my state's regulatory board since 2006, and therapists often ask me the question, "What does the board do for me?" I've heard from board members in other states that they often hear the same question. The answer to that is: nothing, other than issuing your license. There seems to be confusion surrounding that issue. Public boards exist for the sole purpose of protecting the public. They do not exist to serve the people they are regulating.
If you are practicing in a state that regulates massage, it's your duty to know the law. In every class I teach, I ask for a show of hands of how many of the therapists present have read the practice act governing our profession. In my last class, out of 26 attendees, only 3 raised their hands, and that's about average. That's very disturbing; how can you follow the rules if you don't know what they are?
All state massage boards that I am aware of have a website that includes information about the board members and meeting schedules, important documents like the practice act, rules and guidelines, code of ethics, notifications of upcoming changes in the law, and so forth. Spend an hour or two on your state's site. Make it your business to know the law in your state. Board meetings are also open to the public, and all are obligated to have a time set aside for public comment, including comments from massage therapists. I urge you to take the time to attend. The policies that are made there directly affect you.
Here are a few of the duties of a state massage board:
* Issue licenses to massage therapists.
* Regulate massage therapy schools by setting standards for education, personnel, and operations.
* Investigate complaints from the public about ethics violations.
* Investigate complaints from students about massage therapy schools.
* Educate the public about licensure.
* Conduct disciplinary hearings.
* Inform licensees, through newsletters or direct mail, of changes in the law.
That's just a partial list. Also, there are no state boards that I am aware of that pay any members for serving. It's strictly a volunteer position, and I can only speak for myself when I say that it's very time-consuming. Most boards have several committees, including a license standards committee, a government relations committee, a communications committee, a board liaison committee for dealing with other boards that may have overlapping scopes of practice, and a school approval committee. Service on a board usually mandates serving on one or more committees, and at times, taking on special projects. My board currently has a committee working on our new jurisprudence examination.
Therapists sometimes have the impression that a state board doesn't really do anything except hold a few meetings every year. That's not true at all. I encourage you to read your state's practice act, get to know your board members, and keep up with what's going on in your profession. Exercise your right to have a voice. Throw your name in the hat to be on your state's board, if you're so inclined. It's not a barrel of fun, but it is a way to be in service, and satisfying to know that you're doing something that makes a difference.
I've been serving on my state's regulatory board since 2006, and therapists often ask me the question, "What does the board do for me?" I've heard from board members in other states that they often hear the same question. The answer to that is: nothing, other than issuing your license. There seems to be confusion surrounding that issue. Public boards exist for the sole purpose of protecting the public. They do not exist to serve the people they are regulating.
If you are practicing in a state that regulates massage, it's your duty to know the law. In every class I teach, I ask for a show of hands of how many of the therapists present have read the practice act governing our profession. In my last class, out of 26 attendees, only 3 raised their hands, and that's about average. That's very disturbing; how can you follow the rules if you don't know what they are?
All state massage boards that I am aware of have a website that includes information about the board members and meeting schedules, important documents like the practice act, rules and guidelines, code of ethics, notifications of upcoming changes in the law, and so forth. Spend an hour or two on your state's site. Make it your business to know the law in your state. Board meetings are also open to the public, and all are obligated to have a time set aside for public comment, including comments from massage therapists. I urge you to take the time to attend. The policies that are made there directly affect you.
Here are a few of the duties of a state massage board:
* Issue licenses to massage therapists.
* Regulate massage therapy schools by setting standards for education, personnel, and operations.
* Investigate complaints from the public about ethics violations.
* Investigate complaints from students about massage therapy schools.
* Educate the public about licensure.
* Conduct disciplinary hearings.
* Inform licensees, through newsletters or direct mail, of changes in the law.
That's just a partial list. Also, there are no state boards that I am aware of that pay any members for serving. It's strictly a volunteer position, and I can only speak for myself when I say that it's very time-consuming. Most boards have several committees, including a license standards committee, a government relations committee, a communications committee, a board liaison committee for dealing with other boards that may have overlapping scopes of practice, and a school approval committee. Service on a board usually mandates serving on one or more committees, and at times, taking on special projects. My board currently has a committee working on our new jurisprudence examination.
Therapists sometimes have the impression that a state board doesn't really do anything except hold a few meetings every year. That's not true at all. I encourage you to read your state's practice act, get to know your board members, and keep up with what's going on in your profession. Exercise your right to have a voice. Throw your name in the hat to be on your state's board, if you're so inclined. It's not a barrel of fun, but it is a way to be in service, and satisfying to know that you're doing something that makes a difference.
Views: 135
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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and so what board(s) exists to protect the MT and our rights and needs?
there is nothing about joining a government regulating body that even remotely sounds like something i would want to do...especially as an MT!!
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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on
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No boards that I am aware of--that's the role of the professional associations, AMTA and ABMP. They both have government relations reps that work their fannies off attending board meetings and trying to keep things as beneficial to the profession as possible. Our NC AMTA chair has never missed a state board meeting since Day 1 that I'm aware of.
AMTA asked me to throw my name in the hat for a board seat, and I did. My term was supposed to be three years, but our governor extended my seat and that of another member to five years so there would not be all new people coming onto the board at once. I do not intend to serve another term; I think five years is long enough for any one person to influence a board. I don't want to be the Strom Thurmond of the NC Board.
It has been an experience, one that I'm glad I've had, but it has been very stressful at times. I have previously served on the school approval committee that decides whether or not schools are up to par, and recently started serving on the license standards committee that hears appeals from applicants who have been denied a license for lack of moral character. I have also participated in numerous disciplinary hearings of therapists who have been accused of violating the code of ethics. That has been the most stressful part of it.
Someone has to do it.
Our state law requires that five of the seven people on the board be massage therapists, one a physician, and one a public member that has nothing vested in massage. I have always figured that if I object to the way something is run, the best way to do anything about it is to get on the inside and try to take positive action. I have done a lot of research for our board, and I know that I have made a positive difference.
All state boards do require that a certain number of people are MTs. My hope for every state is that good people will step up to the plate. It's not for everybody, but I have followed the actions of our board since way before I got on it, and I've always felt that we had good people who were willing to serve. I would encourage anyone who cares about how your state board is run to step up and serve for a few years.
Lisa said:and so what board(s) exists to protect the MT and our rights and needs?
there is nothing about joining a government regulating body that even remotely sounds like something i would want to do...especially as an MT!!
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on
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Yes, anyone who cares should take the opportunity at some point in their massage career to get involved.
You might be very surprised what goes on and all the hard and stressful times there are for those who commit to these projects!
I, too, have been a part in the past and participated in many changes for massage therapists! We all need to do a part.
Laura Allen said:No boards that I am aware of--that's the role of the professional associations, AMTA and ABMP. They both have government relations reps that work their fannies off attending board meetings and trying to keep things as beneficial to the profession as possible. Our NC AMTA chair has never missed a state board meeting since Day 1 that I'm aware of.
AMTA asked me to throw my name in the hat for a board seat, and I did. My term was supposed to be three years, but our governor extended my seat and that of another member to five years so there would not be all new people coming onto the board at once. I do not intend to serve another term; I think five years is long enough for any one person to influence a board. I don't want to be the Strom Thurmond of the NC Board.
It has been an experience, one that I'm glad I've had, but it has been very stressful at times. I have previously served on the school approval committee that decides whether or not schools are up to par, and recently started serving on the license standards committee that hears appeals from applicants who have been denied a license for lack of moral character. I have also participated in numerous disciplinary hearings of therapists who have been accused of violating the code of ethics. That has been the most stressful part of it.
Someone has to do it.
Our state law requires that five of the seven people on the board be massage therapists, one a physician, and one a public member that has nothing vested in massage. I have always figured that if I object to the way something is run, the best way to do anything about it is to get on the inside and try to take positive action. I have done a lot of research for our board, and I know that I have made a positive difference.
All state boards do require that a certain number of people are MTs. My hope for every state is that good people will step up to the plate. It's not for everybody, but I have followed the actions of our board since way before I got on it, and I've always felt that we had good people who were willing to serve. I would encourage anyone who cares about how your state board is run to step up and serve for a few years.
Lisa said:and so what board(s) exists to protect the MT and our rights and needs?
there is nothing about joining a government regulating body that even remotely sounds like something i would want to do...especially as an MT!!
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
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Thank you for sharing this again, Laura. It is very timely. FSMTB will be addressing many issues this year and massage therapists should be the ones making these decisions.
I understand Lisa's point of view to a certain extent, until I turn it around and ask, "Okay, if you don't want massage therapists judging massage therapists, who will?"
There is a need for therapists to "step up". I encourage all those as massage therapists, that would like to directly have a say in our growth, to do so. You may be the representative chosen to represent your state to the FSMTB efforts this year and have a direct influence in what direction the profession heads. That does mean a lot to a lot of people. Feliz Navidad!
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Gloria/Laura...
i think it's great you both participated. i just don't think it's meant for everyone. i for one would not enjoy the added stress on my plate. :)
Gloria Coppola said:Yes, anyone who cares should take the opportunity at some point in their massage career to get involved.
You might be very surprised what goes on and all the hard and stressful times there are for those who commit to these projects!
I, too, have been a part in the past and participated in many changes for massage therapists! We all need to do a part.
Laura Allen said:No boards that I am aware of--that's the role of the professional associations, AMTA and ABMP. They both have government relations reps that work their fannies off attending board meetings and trying to keep things as beneficial to the profession as possible. Our NC AMTA chair has never missed a state board meeting since Day 1 that I'm aware of.
AMTA asked me to throw my name in the hat for a board seat, and I did. My term was supposed to be three years, but our governor extended my seat and that of another member to five years so there would not be all new people coming onto the board at once. I do not intend to serve another term; I think five years is long enough for any one person to influence a board. I don't want to be the Strom Thurmond of the NC Board.
It has been an experience, one that I'm glad I've had, but it has been very stressful at times. I have previously served on the school approval committee that decides whether or not schools are up to par, and recently started serving on the license standards committee that hears appeals from applicants who have been denied a license for lack of moral character. I have also participated in numerous disciplinary hearings of therapists who have been accused of violating the code of ethics. That has been the most stressful part of it.
Someone has to do it.
Our state law requires that five of the seven people on the board be massage therapists, one a physician, and one a public member that has nothing vested in massage. I have always figured that if I object to the way something is run, the best way to do anything about it is to get on the inside and try to take positive action. I have done a lot of research for our board, and I know that I have made a positive difference.
All state boards do require that a certain number of people are MTs. My hope for every state is that good people will step up to the plate. It's not for everybody, but I have followed the actions of our board since way before I got on it, and I've always felt that we had good people who were willing to serve. I would encourage anyone who cares about how your state board is run to step up and serve for a few years.
Lisa said:and so what board(s) exists to protect the MT and our rights and needs?
there is nothing about joining a government regulating body that even remotely sounds like something i would want to do...especially as an MT!!
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Permalink Reply by Angela Palmier on
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Laura, you never disappoint! Great topic.
In looking at varous state board websites, one observation I've made is that those boards which seem to have the most influence, impact, etc., are those that are self-regulated, self-funded, etc. Do you agree? The "Advisory Board" model boards seem to get lost in the red tape, answering and having to deal with decisions made--even when they've strongly opposed them--by the Department that oversees them. It's certainly been an issue in Illinois.
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We're self-funded. We don't get a penny from the state. I do think it's less bureaucratic that way.
Angela Palmier said:Laura, you never disappoint! Great topic.
In looking at varous state board websites, one observation I've made is that those boards which seem to have the most influence, impact, etc., are those that are self-regulated, self-funded, etc. Do you agree? The "Advisory Board" model boards seem to get lost in the red tape, answering and having to deal with decisions made--even when they've strongly opposed them--by the Department that oversees them. It's certainly been an issue in Illinois.
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The great and wonderful dynamo and Queen of Government Relations Sally Hacking has pointed out that most boards give their members a "per diem" and suggested I clarify that. I told her I considered that money for pain and suffering, LOL! I believe that varies from state to state, and some states may have none. In NC, we get 100. for attending the meeting if it is over four hours. No one's getting rich from Board service. That offsets for most just a part of the money they would have made in a day at work.
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