It is nice to see that people aren't buying the whole licensing thing even at this stage of the game where most states are licensed. I am not a big proponent of licensing. There has not been any proof of harm. Licensing does nothing to protect the public. It does not stop prostitution.

I found this thread because I was actually looking for info on what it is like to be in an unlicensed state and was looking for people to share their stories but it sounds like MT are able to be in business and do so successfully without licensing here.

I am assuming you have to get a regular business license to be in business.

CE's are another whole story. There is no proof that CE does help keep people up to date on the latest things or that people even need to be. If there are major advancements then there should be major announcements like the old idea that you can't massage cancer. There are still people who think that and don't work on cancer even with CE. It would be more about creating one class that could be taken online to keep up with the latest advancements like that that would affect everyone.

I would love to see more apprenticeship programs created like Keith mentions in his white paper.

I also did see that massage schools just increased the number of hours of training so they could get PEll grants and there has never been any research on what the profession really needs- How can we start looking into that is my main question. I thought by studying the unlicensed states we could learn something as well as from the states that are licensed.

I like the sound of just having to register with the state so that they can stop people if they are doing something illegal and doing harm. You can just peruse the google alerts section and find daily listings of investigations into massage therapists in the US. Licensing isn't the answer. But what is really?
Julie
www.thebodyworker.com
www.massagepracticebuilder.com

Hi Julie,

As you know from the Body_Work listserv, I agree with you.

To answer your questions: No business license is necessary to practice. We buy malpractice and property liability insurance but neither is required. We also pay business taxes on the 25% of our home dedicated to our practice.

Practicing in Vermont has been wonderful for my husband and me. As I've observed in other states where I've practiced, Vermont's bodyworkers are largely a dedicated, caring group who voluntarily pursue education and self-select into (and out of) the profession.

My sense is that some MTs seek state licensure for recognition, as if state regulation somehow confers greater legitimacy upon the profession and those who practice it. Not surprisingly, MTs who gravitate to professional organizations will also turn out to support even more structure when AMTA/ABMP rallies the troops. However, ABMP's Government Relations Director told me: “This is a lower number than I usually see. We have surveys right now in KS and in ID and they are both 75/35 in favor of licensing. So it is noteworthy that it’s only 60/40 in VT.”

Still, the burden now falls on those of us who are happy with Vermont's bodywork as it is to protect ourselves from mandatory regulation. What a shame.



Julie Onofrio said:

It is nice to see that people aren't buying the whole licensing thing even at this stage of the game where most states are licensed. I am not a big proponent of licensing. There has not been any proof of harm. Licensing does nothing to protect the public. It does not stop prostitution.

I found this thread because I was actually looking for info on what it is like to be in an unlicensed state and was looking for people to share their stories but it sounds like MT are able to be in business and do so successfully without licensing here.

I am assuming you have to get a regular business license to be in business.

CE's are another whole story. There is no proof that CE does help keep people up to date on the latest things or that people even need to be. If there are major advancements then there should be major announcements like the old idea that you can't massage cancer. There are still people who think that and don't work on cancer even with CE. It would be more about creating one class that could be taken online to keep up with the latest advancements like that that would affect everyone.

I would love to see more apprenticeship programs created like Keith mentions in his white paper.

I also did see that massage schools just increased the number of hours of training so they could get PEll grants and there has never been any research on what the profession really needs- How can we start looking into that is my main question. I thought by studying the unlicensed states we could learn something as well as from the states that are licensed.

I like the sound of just having to register with the state so that they can stop people if they are doing something illegal and doing harm. You can just peruse the google alerts section and find daily listings of investigations into massage therapists in the US. Licensing isn't the answer. But what is really?
Julie
www.thebodyworker.com
www.massagepracticebuilder.com

It took me a long time to move from being in opposition to licensing to see the need for some kind of licensing.

Maybe Vermont could be the bellwether state for the rest of the states to follow?. Make licensing inclusive of all types of programs rather than restrictive by mandating the unnecessary 500 hour banner put forth by our friends at the Amta. Proposals I made to the CA law makers may be seen here: http://iscaaty.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Good luck to those resisting the continuing onslaught on our profession by the 501(c)6 Amta more interested in advancing the Massage Therapy profession at the expense of those looking to provide other forms of massage and touch than be truly of service to those providing touch to those in need.

Robert
Holistic Bodywork Therapist and Educator
Passer of the NCE
cMT (unused because of the CAMTC stating it would be an unfair business practice)
ULC Minister and advocate of high standards that knows from experience 100 hours of training is more than enough to do massage on a client.