Bill
HB 99
HB99 would exempt ARCB-certified reflexologists and eligible students within 12 months from licensure by the NC Board, shifting oversight to national certs, effective Oct 1, 2025.
Status & timing
- Bill number: HB 99 (Reflexologists Right to Work Act)
- Sponsor: Rep. Riddell (primary sponsors listed in bill packet)
- Introduced: Aug 15, 2025 (read first time Aug 20, 2025 per legislative actions)
- Current status (as provided): Passed first reading; referred to committee(s).
- Proposed effective date (per bill text): October 1, 2025 (if enacted)
Purpose / intent
- Exempt nationally certified reflexologists (and qualifying reflexology students) from licensure and regulatory oversight by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. The stated purpose is to carve reflexology out from the Board’s licensing requirements so certified practitioners may practice without that state licensure.
Key provisions
- Amends G.S. 90‑624 (activities not requiring a license) by adding a new subdivision:
- Provides an explicit exemption for:
- A nationally certified reflexologist who holds a current certification from the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) or its successor; and
- Reflexology students working toward ARCB certification while supervised by an ARCB‑certified reflexologist.
- Limits the student exemption: it applies only to students who obtain ARCB certification within 12 months of beginning the certification process.
- Defines “reflexology” for the statute: a protocol of manual techniques (e.g., thumb‑ and finger‑walking, hook and backup, rotating‑on‑a‑point) applied primarily to reflex areas on the feet and hands intended to stimulate neural pathways and support bodily function.
- Effective date provided in the bill: October 1, 2025.
Who is affected
- Primary: ARCB‑certified reflexologists in North Carolina and supervised reflexology students meeting the 12‑month certification window.
- Secondary: North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (loses jurisdiction over exempted reflexology activity), employers and facilities that hire or host reflexologists, consumers/clients of reflexology services.
- Potentially impacted: professionals who perform overlapping services with massage therapists, insurers, and entities that rely on state licensure for credential checks.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Regulatory: Removes reflexology from the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy’s licensing scope—reducing regulatory compliance and licensing costs for qualifying reflexologists.
- Consumer protection: The bill relies on national certification (ARCB) rather than state licensure for standards and complaint mechanisms; this may change avenues for consumer complaints, discipline, or public oversight.
- Workforce/market: May increase the ability of reflexologists to practice and potentially expand access to reflexology services (fewer licensing barriers).
- Scope and enforcement: The exemption is limited to ARCB‑certified practitioners (or students supervised while becoming certified); the bill does not itself create a new state regulatory regime (e.g., continuing education, state discipline powers) for reflexologists.
Procedural notes
- The bill text amends a statute that lists activities not requiring a license (G.S. 90‑624). If passed and signed, the exemption would take effect on the bill’s stated effective date. Stakeholders to watch include the State Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, ARCB (or successor), reflexology trade groups, and consumer‑protection advocates.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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