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Bill

HB 1217

TO ESTABLISH THE INTERSTATE MASSAGE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Nazarenko and 1 co-sponsor

Arkansas joins the Interstate Massage Compact, enabling licensed massage therapists to practice across member states without separate state licensure while maintaining uniform regulatory standards.

Notification that HB1217 is now Act 267
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1217

Legislative bill overview

HB 1217 establishes the Interstate Massage Compact in Arkansas, allowing licensed massage therapists to practice across member states without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill creates a streamlined reciprocity agreement that permits massage professionals to move and work across participating jurisdictions while maintaining uniform regulatory standards.

Why is this important

This compact reduces barriers to professional mobility for massage therapists, similar to compacts that exist for nurses and other healthcare professions. It addresses workforce shortages in some states, reduces costs for practitioners seeking multi-state licensure, and promotes consistency in professional standards across state lines.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory consistency concerns: States maintain different education requirements and standards—the compact must balance reciprocity with protection of public safety and prevention of "regulatory arbitrage" where practitioners seek licensure in states with lower standards
  • Consumer protection variability: Disciplinary records and complaint history may differ across states, raising questions about information sharing and enforcement mechanisms
  • Economic impact on state licensing boards: Reduced individual state licensing applications could affect revenue and staffing at state massage therapy regulatory bodies

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

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