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SD 2457

An Act relative to continuing education requirements for licensed massage therapists

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jake Oliveira

Massachusetts would require licensed massage therapists to complete 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years, show CPR/AED current, and renewals hinge on proof of compliance.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 2457

Summary: Senate Bill SD 2457 – An Act relative to continuing education requirements for licensed massage therapists

Overview

SD 2457 proposes adding a mandatory continuing education (CE) requirement for licensed massage therapists in Massachusetts, as a condition of license renewal. The bill would operate in addition to existing licensing requirements and is designed to ensure ongoing professional competence, ethics, and familiarity with state laws.

  • Status: House concurred (the House adopted the Senate version)
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed: January 17, 2025
  • Current committee actions: Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (February 27, 2025)

What the bill would do

  • Add a new CE requirement to the existing licensure framework for massage therapists.
  • Require license renewal only if the CE requirements are satisfied and CPR/AED attestation is current.

Key provisions

  • CE hours: Licensed massage therapists must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

    • 2 hours: Ethics in massage therapy (in person)
    • 1 hour: Massachusetts massage therapy laws and rules (online or in person)
    • Up to 6 hours: Online or home study courses
    • Remaining hours: In-person through live classes or webinars

  • Course approvals: CE courses must be:

    • Approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); or
    • Offered by a provider approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy.

  • Record-keeping: Therapists must retain documentation of completed CE hours for at least 4 years and provide it to the Board upon request.

  • Renewal attestation: At renewal, therapists must attest to:

    • Completion of the required CE hours
    • Current CPR certification and the use of an AED

  • License expiration and renewal consequences: Licenses expire on November 30 of even-numbered years. If the CE requirements are not met or CPR/AED attestation is not provided by the renewal deadline, the license will not be renewed until compliance is demonstrated.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Licensed massage therapists in Massachusetts
  • Regulatory body: Board of Registration of Massage Therapy (Massachusetts)
  • CE providers: Entities offering CE courses (must be NCBTMB-approved or Board-approved)

Timing and implementation notes

  • The text specifies a two-year CE cycle aligned with renewal, but does not state an explicit effective date beyond enactment.
  • Renewal schedule is fixed: November 30 of even-numbered years.

Implications

  • Elevates professional standards and ongoing education for massage therapy.
  • Introduces mandatory CPR/AED attestation as part of renewal.
  • Establishes documentation and verification requirements, with potential nonrenewal for noncompliance.

This summary reflects the bill text as filed and the status updates indicating House concurrence.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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