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HB 5948

Health occupations: massage therapists; massage therapist licensure compact; enact. Amends sec. 17951 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17951) & adds secs. 16187e & 17953a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Breen and 7 co-sponsors

Michigan joins the Interstate Massage Therapy Licensure Compact to create a multistate license pathway, enabling licensed therapists to practice in Remote States while maintaining

bill electronically reproduced 05/12/2026
#healthoccupations:massagetherapists #state:interstatecompactsandagreements
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Bill Summary · HB 5948

Overview

  • Bill: HB 5948 (Michigan, 2025-2026)
  • Topic: Health occupations – massage therapists; enactment of an Interstate Massage Therapy Licensure Compact
  • Purpose: Establish Michigan's participation in a multistate licensing framework for massage therapy to facilitate cross-state practice, enhance public safety, improve information sharing, and support license mobility for practitioners (including military members and spouses).

Main purpose and intent

  • Enact the Interstate Massage Compact into law in Michigan and join other jurisdictions that adopt the compact.
  • Create a multistate licensing pathway for massage therapists, allowing holders of a Home State single-state license to obtain a Multistate License authorizing practice in Remote States.
  • Improve public access to massage therapy and strengthen protections against licensure fraud and human trafficking, while preserving each state's own regulatory authority over massage therapy.

Key provisions and changes

  • Interstate Massage Compact framework (Article 1–13): Establishes the Compact, its purposes, and the creation of the Interstate Massage Compact Commission to implement and oversee the multistate licensing system.
  • Definitions (Article 2): Provides standardized terms (e.g., Home State, Multistate License, Remote State, Adverse Action, Background Check, Data System, etc.) to govern Compact operations.
  • State participation requirements (Article 3):
    • States must license and regulate massage therapy, maintain complaint processes, accept a national examination (including specific named exams or their substantial equivalents), require continuing education, conduct background checks, participate in the data system, and report disciplinary actions.
    • Non-residents may apply for Single-State Licenses, but such licenses do not grant multistate authority.
  • Multistate License requirements (Article 4):
    • Eligibility: Hold an active Home State Single-State License.
    • Education/Experience: Either 625 hours of massage education, or completion of a qualifying program plus two years of continuous licensure in the Home State, or substantial equivalent as approved by the Commission.
    • Exam: Pass a psychometrically valid national exam (including named options or equivalents).
    • Background checks, no recent felonies or specified misdemeanors, and no disqualifying actions; pay fees.
    • Effective period: Multistate License can be valid for a period tied to Home State license renewal.
    • Scope and jurisdiction: Licensee remains subject to the laws of the state where services are provided; Home State retains authority for adverse actions on the Multistate License.
  • Authority and coordination (Articles 5–9):
    • Limits on state interference: States retain authority to regulate massage therapy and take adverse actions within their own laws; remote states can take action against a licensee’s Authorization to Practice in that state.
    • Data System: Establishes a centralized database with unique identifiers for Multistate Licensees; requires reporting of licensure status, adverse actions, investigative information, etc.; data sharing is governed by rules and protections.
    • Adverse Action mechanics: Home State has exclusive power to impose Adverse Action on a Multistate License; Remote State actions affect only the license to practice in that Remote State; joint investigations and cross-state sharing allowed.
    • Alternative Programs: Participation in Alternative Programs can suspend a Multistate license during the program.
  • Military members (Article 7): Active duty service members and spouses designate a Home State and must meet educational requirements for licensure in that Home State; flexible designation during active service.
  • Commission structure and oversight (Articles 8–11):
    • Establishment of the Interstate Massage Compact Commission with one delegate per Member State (appointed by the state licensing authority).
    • Rules and bylaws with rulemaking power; annual reporting; openness of meetings with public access rules; emergency rulemaking provisions.
    • Executive Committee with specified composition and duties; public meeting requirements; dispute resolution processes; immunity provisions for Commission personnel.
    • Financing: Member State assessments and licensee fees to fund Commission operations; audit and financial review requirements.
    • Enforcement: The Commission can pursue enforcement actions against defaulting states and mediate disputes; venue and dispute proceedings primarily in federal courts or as provided by the Commission.
  • Effective date and withdrawal (Article 12):
    • Takes effect when enacted by the seventh Member State.
    • Charter member states subject to a review for material differences from model language; withdrawal requires 180 days’ notice, with ongoing duties to report and maintain licensure recognition for a period post-withdrawal.
  • Severability and consistency (Article 13–14): Compact is liberally construed; conflicts with state laws are resolved to give precedence to the Compact where not inconsistent; enables consistency with other state laws and existing licensure agreements.

Who would be affected

  • Massage therapists seeking interstate practice would have a streamlined Multistate License pathway.
  • Michigan licensing authorities and law enforcement/regulatory bodies would participate in data sharing, adverse action coordination, and joint investigations.
  • Members of the military and spouses could retain a Home State designation for licensure while serving.
  • Public consumers would potentially benefit from increased access to licensed massage therapy and enhanced public safety protections.
  • States that join the Compact would align their licensure processes with the Commission’s rules and data system.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The Compact becomes effective once Michigan’s statute is enacted and the seventh state has joined.
  • The Commission will develop rules, conduct public hearings, and open processes for rulemaking with published notices.
  • Regular meetings (at least annually) and executive committee operations are established to govern ongoing administration.
  • Withdrawal by a state would take effect 180 days after enactment of withdrawal statutes, with transitional obligations to licensees in that state.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Michigan massage therapy licensure requirements to highlight specific adds or changes.

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

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