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SB 795

Licensed massage therapists; moves oversight and licensure to Board of Physical Therapy.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Peake

Virginia bill transfers massage therapist licensure and oversight from independent board to Board of Physical Therapy, consolidating but potentially subordinating the massage profession's regulatory autonomy.

Assigned Education sub: Health Professions
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Bill Summary · SB 795

Legislative bill overview

SB 795 transfers regulatory oversight of licensed massage therapists in Virginia from their current regulatory body to the Board of Physical Therapy. This consolidation would merge licensure, discipline, and professional standards under a single board rather than maintaining separate governance structures.

Why is this important

Massage therapy regulation directly affects consumer safety, professional standards, and market access for practitioners. Consolidating oversight could streamline licensing processes and reduce administrative costs, but it also raises questions about whether a physical therapy board adequately represents massage therapists' distinct professional interests and scope of practice.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice conflicts: Physical therapy and massage therapy have different training, credentials, and treatment focuses; placing massage therapists under a PT board may subordinate their independent professional identity and decision-making authority
  • Representation concerns: A board designed for physical therapists may not equally represent massage therapist interests in rule-making, complaint resolution, or professional development priorities
  • Regulatory consolidation trade-offs: While consolidation may reduce bureaucratic overhead, it could also dilute specialized oversight of massage-specific competencies, ethics, and client safety standards

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

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