Time to mobilize. Has anyone talked to Mark? What do we know about when it is being discussed or open for public comment?

@Sam, you and the people who run your school should contact your state senators and the senators on the joint committee at this link to let them know of your opposition to this bill:

http://www.malegislature.gov/Committees/187/Joint/J17

Alexei, thank you for being vigilant and letting us know about the massage bill. I have added a page to Facebook titled Stop MA Massage Law at https://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=21675222#!/pages/Stop-MA... to get people organized and see if we can get a critical mass of voices organized. First step is to get everyone who cares involved. We could get literally thousands if people pass it on to clients and others who would suffer from higher cost of massage. Check it out.

@Kris.....hey I commend your action, the FB page. But the opening paragraph is  confusing, and it is about terminology: it is not a new law yet, it is proposed legislation. The way you wrote it, it makes it seem that the law is already in effect.

Can you reword it somehow to make it more plain?

Thank you for the suggestion. I have added the word Proposed in a couple of places. That should help. Let me know if it's clearer now.

I would like to extend an invitation to list in my holistic directory for massage therapists.  The basic listing is free..you can upgrade to premium at any time.

Synergistic Center Massage Directory

Hey MA therapists!

My family & I may possibly be relocating to Massachusetts within the year. I know I have enough hours, etc for licensure, but I am wondering about any other professional regulations. For instance in Illinois I couldn't legally work out of my home until about 3 years ago. Anyone know of any restrictions to working out of your home in the greater Boston area?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Heather:

Be sure to read the MA license requirements carefully. See: Massachusetts regulations for Massage in particular 269 CMR 3.01(2)(a) through 3.01(2)(h). The board may want you to document the actual curriculum your school provided. They have been asking for detailed transcript analysis in addition to number of hours for all Massachusetts applicants. Good luck and welcome to Massachusetts!  -Nancy

Thanks for the link & tips Nancy!

I will be sure to read it carefully! I have been practicing for 10 years as a therapist in IL, but I don't think getting transcripts will be too much of a hassle.

The Massage board will be discussing a couple of topics Monday morning at their monthly meeting which may be of interest to many MTs.  Adding a required exam to the licensing requirements, and promulgation of continuing education requirements for all of us.  Please consider attending the upcoming meeting, the details are here:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocamodulechunk&L=4&L0=Home&...

Thanks Alexi,

Hi Heather, just seeing your question.  Regarding having a business in your home, the state of MA does not preclude this.  You will be required to have a Facility (or Establishment) license in addition to your Individual License to practice.    See more here... State of MA Massage Therapy Rules and Regulations  (and of course there are exceptions),    Also, you will need to check with the specific town or city you will or might be moving to.  Most have their own Zoning regulations.  In other words they might have areas zoned as Residential Only, Business Only, Industrial, and or Residential/Business.  So if you are really hoping to have a home based business you would want to check this out before choosing a home and make sure business is allowed or that a variance to the zoning rules will or might be granted.  Good luck. 

I like that the point of learning disability practitioners was broughtup in relation to taking required exams. Massage is an area where people with disabilities related to testing has been open to them. There are many older experienced MTs who have age as a disability to memorizing and retaining information for testing. State Boards should consider this and accept waivers based on experience. It shouldn't be closed. One problem witth requiring exams is that they are only available in English and therefor discriminatory based on national origin.

I am also wondering how many of us make more than a Medical Doctor. But even they are closing practices or joining HMOs because of the cost for liability insurance. Should government be deciding business decisions for us? If they require PLI they should be establishing minimum limits or it is meaningless. Protecting the public from harm by having standards does not mean guaranteeing insurance backed payment of claims afterward.

Cortiva is now or soon will be part of Steiner. What do you think of that?

http://www.massagemag.com/News/print-this.php?id=11654

Very interesting about Steiner/Cortiva.    Steiner has a very different curriculum approach than Cortiva.

Save the Date! Massage Therapist Volunteers -

June 2 - Audi Best Buddies Challenge - Hyannis Port MA(Craigville Beach)

June 23 - Cape Cod Get-a-way MS ride - Mass Maritime  -Buzzards Bay

Join the FUN!!!

http:/http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/mt/notice-of-me...

Here's the agenda for tomorrow's Board meeting.

Alexei, is the Human Trafficking Bill spotlighting massage? Does the bill differentiate between domestic kidnapping and Immigration fraud and smuggling?

@Daniel, I believe the human trafficking law is intended to tighten up the ability of the state of Massachusetts to charge pimps and procurers with a crime.  Apparently it is difficult to do that now.

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/mt/notice-of-meeting-...

Here's the agenda for Monday's board meeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyMkwmbeJ3M&feature=youtu.be Here's some video from the latest Board meeting where adding the MBLEX exam was discussed.

http://www.massageforautoinjuryma.com/massagejobwestboylston.html

I am looking for another MT as an independent contractor. Starting commission is 60% and you need to bring your own oils and sheets. Please use the link to send me your resume

Jessica:  be sure to post your add on our placement website so graduates can see it.  go to www.spatech.edu click on placement and follow the link to the Job Portal.  Youcan update the addd as needed.  Let me know if you need any help with it. -Tim 508-836-8864 ext 23

@Tim - Can I post volunteer op's on the spa tech site??  I am looking for volunteers for Best Buddies Challenge(Hyannis Port/Craigville beach) on June2 & CapeCod Get-a-Way(Mass Maritime Ac.) June 23 (for MS)

@Cynthia: We encourage volunteering so yes, feel free to post on http://spatech.edu job portal which is located at http://jobs.spatechdirectory.com/

I am looking to hire a licensed LMT as an independent contractor. I just purchased a busy street front Massage Therapy practice. I have two massage rooms and I work on a 50/50 split. I supply oil/linens and do the booking. Looking to hire asap as I am pregnant and need coverage for my maternity leave . email me massageinmotion@verizon.net or check out my ad on the spatech.edu job portal.

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/mt/notice-of-meeting-...

Here's a link to the agenda for Monday's Board meeting.  Notice the discussion of continuing education requirements, as well as a presentation by the National Certification exam people.

Hello massage therapists! 

I am seeking out volunteers for to help out at the Avon Breast Cancer walk in Boston. The dates are May 19 and 20th. Every year we seem to have trouble finding therapists to help, and I will tell you New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut therapists out number the Massachusetts therapists, so lets get this number up!

We will be massaging at the Reebok World Headquarters in Canton, MA. 

If you are interested, please e-mail me at massagecrew.boston@gmail.com or call me at 973-960-8222. 

Thank you

Also seeking Reiki practitioners for helping out at the Avon Breast Cancer walk. 

Please contact me. 

Ride share to Northampton for AMTA meeting Sept. 9? I will be driving from Needham, MA and would like to share gas expenses. It looks like a great workshop: Scar Release with Kate Peck. Email me if you want to ride: nan.wilde@yahoo.com.

http://www.massamta.org/events/20120909/chapter-education-events/my...

Oncology Massage Therapist looking for volunteer Cancer Survivors in the Easton MA area

I am looking for people who have a history of cancer who would allow me to work on them to attain valuable clinical experience.  Participation would be completely anonymous.  My goal is to gain experience as a requirement to join the Society of Oncology Massage.  In exchange for participation, I would be doing this work at no charge.  If you or someone you know is interested, please share this message with them and have them contact me for additional details. 

Thanks so much for your help.  Dawn Williams, LMT BodyWork by Dawn dawnwilliams514@hotmail.com  

Volunteer Op's please visit my website cynderellaservices.com

June - Best Buddies Challenge Boston & Hyannis Port; MS Cape Cod get away Buzzards Bay;August - MA Breast Cancer Coalition Brewster

I'm new to the massage world and so very eager to learn more all the time, the things right now that have my attention are Cupping and Aromatherapy. I'm looking for a cupping class right now but i don't know where to start, can someone please let me know where to go for this, Thanks :-)