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.