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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Keith McCall |
  
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McCall: Massage therapists and clients would be
protected under new licensing law
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon, said his legislation aimed at protecting massage therapists and their clients by requiring therapists to get a state license was passed by the Senate and House and will be sent to Gov. Ed Rendell to be signed into law.
"There was something very wrong with the fact that a barber performing a $12 haircut had to have a state license, but anyone who wanted to hang up a sign saying 'massage therapist' could do so without any kind of testing or state oversight, and as of today that's going to change," McCall said. "Too many highly skilled, trained and reputable massage therapists were at the mercy of dishonest people who called themselves 'therapists' but just gave the whole industry a bad name.
"Now we'll join the 39 other states that have common-sense educational and licensing standards that treat these professionals with the respect they've earned, and ensure that long-time therapists are given full consideration for their experience when approving licenses. This new law will give therapists – and their clients – long overdue peace of mind."
McCall said the law would license massage therapists under a new State Board of Massage Therapy. Applicants would have to meet specific criteria to become certified, including completing a minimum of 600 hours of in-class and postsecondary training approved by the Department of Education, as well as passing an exam administered by a qualified professional testing organization. In addition, it would require 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
Therapists could be grandfathered into the new licensing program if they have:
· been in practice for more than five years; or
· passed a national certification test; or
· passed a licensing exam and completed 100 hours of instruction; or
· completed 500 hours of instruction from an institution approved by the Department of Education.
Once signed into law, it will not go into effect until the licensing board is formed, which is expected to happen in 2009. The board will be comprised of members appointed by the governor that will have to pass approval by the state Senate.
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