Massage Definitions
ARKANSAS
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means to engage
in the practice of any of the following procedures:
A. All massage therapy techniques and procedures either by on-hand
or with mechanical device for the purpose of body reducing or
contouring;
B. Use of all oils;
C. Hot or cold packs;
D. Hydrotherapy techniques;
E. Hilotherapy;
F. Electrotherapy;
G. Total hand and foot care through reflexology;
H. Any on-hand techniques and procedures not covered under specific
licensing laws of other boards;
I. Rolfing;
J. Polarity therapy treatments"
ARK. CODE ANN. § 17-98-102 (Michie 1987).
COLORADO
The statute states: " 'Massage' means a method of treating
the body for remedial or hygienic purposes, including but not
limited to rubbing, stroking, kneading or tapping with the hand
or an instrument or both."
COLO. REV. STAT. §12-48.5-103(5) (1991).
CONNECTICUT
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means the systematic
and scientific manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues
of the body, by use of pressure, friction, stroking, percussion,
kneading, vibration by manual or mechanical means, range of motion
and nonspecific stretching. Massage therapy may include the use
of oil, ice, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, steam, dry heat,
or cabinet baths, for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining
good health and establishing and maintaining good physical and
mental condition. Massage therapy does not encompass diagnosis,
the prescribing of drugs or medicines, spinal or other joint manipulations,
nor any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine,
chiropractic, naturopathy, physical therapy, or podiatry is required
by law."
CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 20-206a(d) (West 1989 & Supp.
1995).
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The statute states: " 'Practice of massage therapy' means
the performance of therapeutic maneuvers in which the practitioner
applies massage techniques, including use of the hand or limb
to apply touch and pressure to the human body through tapping,
stroking, kneading, compression, friction, stretching, vibrating,
holding, positioning, or causing movement of an individual's body
to positively affect the health and well-being of the individual.
(B) A licensed massage therapist shall not diagnose disease or
injury; prescribe medicines, drugs, or other treatments of disease;
or perform adjustments of the articulations of the osseous structure
of the body or spine.
(C) A licensed massage therapist may perform cross-gender massage.
(D) Massage therapy includes the use of adjunctive therapies,
which are defined as including the application of heat, cold,
water, and mild abrasives. For the purposes of this paragraph,
the term 'adjunctive therapies' does not include galvanic stimulation,
ultra sound, doppler vascularizers, diathermy, transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation, or traction."
D.C. CODE ANN. § 2-3301.2(6) (Supp. 1995).
FLORIDA
The statute states: " 'Massage' means the manipulation of
the superficial tissues of the human body with the hand, foot,
arm, or elbow, whether or not such manipulation is aided by hydrotherapy,
including colonic irrigation, or thermal therapy; any electrical
or mechanical device; or the application to the human body of
a chemical or herbal preparation.
FLA. STAT. ANN. §480.033(3) (West 1991).
HAWAII
The statute states: " 'Massage', 'massage therapy', and
'Hawaiian massage' commonly known as lomilomi, means any method
of treatment of the superficial soft parts of the body, consisting
of rubbing, stroking, tapotement, pressing, shaking, or kneading
with the hands, feet, elbow, or arms and whether or not aided
by any mechanical or electrical apparatus, appliances, or supplementary
aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder,
creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly
used in this practice. Any mechanical or electrical apparatus
used as described in this chapter shall be approved by the United
States Food and Drug Administration."
HAW. REV. STAT. §452-1 (1995).
IDAHO
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy,' also called massology,
means the systematic manual or mechanical mobilization of the
soft tissue of the body by such movements as rubbing, kneading,
pressing, rolling, slapping and tapping, for the purpose of promoting
circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, release
from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and other benefits
both physical and mental."
IDAHO CODE § 54-705(c) (1994).
IOWA
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means performance
for compensation of massage, myotherapy, massotherapy, bodywork,
bodywork therapy, or therapeutic massage including hydrotherapy,
superficial hot and cold applications, vibration and topical applications,
or other therapy which involves manipulation of the muscle and
connective tissue of the body, excluding osseous tissue, to treat
the muscle tonus system for the purpose of enhancing health, muscle
relaxation, increasing range of motion, reducing stress, relieving
pain, or improving circulation. 'Massage therapy' does not include
diagnosis or service which requires a license to practice medicine
or surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, osteopathy, chiropractic,
or podiatry, and does not include service performed by athletic
trainers, technicians, nurses, occupational therapists, or physical
therapists who act under a professional license, certificate,
or registration or under the prescription or supervision of a
person licensed to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic
medicine and surgery."
IOWA CODE ANN. § 152C.1(4) (Supp. 1995).
LOUISIANA
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means the manipulation
of soft tissue for the purpose of maintaining good health and
establishing and maintaining goody physical condition. The term
shall include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement
(percussion), compression, vibration, friction, (active/passive
range of motion), Shiatsu, and acupressure, either by hand, forearm,
elbow, foot, or with mechanical appliances for the purpose of
body massage. Massage therapy may include the use of lubricants
such as salts, powders, liquids, creams, (with the exception of
prescriptive or medicinal creams), heat lamps, whirlpool, hot
and cold pack, salt glow, or steam cabinet baths. It shall not
include electrotherapy, laser therapy, microwave, colonic therapy,
injection therapy, or manipulation of the joints. Equivalent
terms for massage therapy are massage, therapeutic massage, massage
technology, Shiatsu, body work, or any derivation of those terms.
As used in this Chapter, the terms "therapy" and "therapeutic"
shall not include diagnosis, the treatment of illness or disease,
or any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine,
chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law."
LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 37:3552(5) (Supp. 1995).
MAINE
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means a scientific
or skillful manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic or remedial
purposes, specifically for improving muscle tone and circulation
and promoting health and physical well-being. The term includes,
but is not limited to, manual and mechanical procedures for the
purpose of treating soft tissue only, the use of supplementary
aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, oils, antiseptics, powders,
herbal preparation, creams or lotions, procedures such as oil
rubs, salt glows and hot or cold packs or other similar procedures
or preparations commonly used in this practice. This term specifically
excludes manipulation of the spine or articulations and excludes
sexual contact as defined in Title 17-A, section 251, subsection
1, paragraph D."
ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 32, §14301 (West Supp. 1994)
MICHIGAN
The statute states: " 'Practice of massage' or 'myomassology'
means the scientific art of body massage, whether by hand or with
a nonpowered mechanical or electrical apparatus, for the purpose
of body massage or contouring; and the use of oil rubs, salt glows,
hot and cold packs, and baths."
MICH. COMP. LAWS ANN § 339.1701(e) (West 1992).
NEBRASKA
The statute states: " Massage therapy shall mean the physical,
mechanical, or electrical manipulation of soft tissue for the
therapeutic purposes of enhancing muscle relaxation, reducing
stress, improving circulation, or instilling a greater sense of
well-being and may include the use of oil, salt glows, heat lamps,
and hydrotherapy. Massage therapy shall not include diagnosis
or treatment or use of procedures for which a license to practice
medicine or surgery, chiropractic, or podiatry is required nor
the use of microwave diathermy, shortwave diathermy, ultrasound,
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, electrical stimulation
of over thirty-five volts, neurological hyperstimulation, or spinal
and joint adjustments."
NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-1,278(c) (Supp. 1992).
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The statute states: " 'Massage' means to instill a system
of activity in the muscular structure of the human body by applying,
to the human body, pressure, friction, rolling, stroking, tapping,
kneading, cupping, petrissage, rubbing, effleurage, tapotement,
or vibration, by manual or mechanical means, and with or without
appliances or external baths, for any purpose, including, but
not limited to, improving muscle tone and circulation, body contouring,
or maintaining good health or physical condition. The term includes,
but is not limited to, oil rubs, salt glows, hot or cold packs,
steam baths, cabinet baths, sauna baths, and sitz baths. The
term shall not include colon irrigation."
N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 328-B:2(VI) (1984 & Supp. 1994).
NEW MEXICO
The statute states: "Massage therapy is the treatment of
soft tissues for therapeutic purposes, primarily comfort and relief
of pain. Massage therapy is a health care service. Massage therapy
includes but is not limited to effleurage, petrissage, tapotement,
compression, vibration, friction, nerve strokes and Swedish gymnastics.
Massage therapy may include the use of oils, salt glows, hot
or cold packs or hydrotherapy. Synonymous terms for massage therapy
include massage, therapeutic massage, body massage, myomassage,
bodywork, body rub or any derivation of those terms."
N.M. STAT. ANN. § 61-12C-4(A) (1978).
NEW YORK
The statute states: "The practice of the profession of massage
is defined as engaging in applying a scientific system of activity
to the muscular structure of the human body by means of stroking,
kneading, tapping and vibrating with the hands or vibrators for
the purpose of improving muscle tone and circulation."
N.Y. EDUC. LAW § 7801 (Mckinney 1985).
NORTH DAKOTA
The statute states: " 'Massage therapist' means a person
who practices or administers any of the following subjects and
who has studied the underlying principles of anatomy and physiology
generally included in a regular course of study by a recognized
and approved school of massage: the art of body massage either
by hands or with a mechanical or vibratory apparatus for the purpose
of body massaging, reducing or contouring, the use of oil rubs,
heat lamps, salt glows, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, or cabinet
baths. Massage is the practice of a profession scientifically
applied to the patient by the operator's hands and includes such
modalities as acupressure and polarity and, after July 1, 1993,
massage includes reflexology. Variations of the following procedures
are used; touch, stroking, friction, kneading, vibration, percussion,
and medical gymnastics. Massage therapists may not diagnose or
treat classified diseases, practice spinal or other joint manipulations,
or prescribe or administer vitamins."
N.D. CENT. CODE §43-25-02 (1993).
OHIO
The statute states: " 'Massage' means any method of exerting
pressure on, stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating,
or stimulating the external soft tissue of the body with the hands,
or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliance."
OHIO REV. CODE ANN. § 503.40(A) (Anderson 1994).
OREGON
The statute states: " 'Massage' or 'massage therapy' means
the use on the body of pressure, friction, stroking, tapping or
kneading, vibration or stretching by manual or mechanical means
or gymnastics, with or without appliances such as vibrators, infrared
heat, sun lamps and external baths, and with or without lubricants
such as salts, powders, liquids or creams for the purpose of,
but not limited to, maintaining good health and establishing and
maintaining good physical condition."
OR. REV. STAT. § 687.011(4) (1989 & Supp. 1994).
RHODE ISLAND
The statute states: " 'Practice of massage' means engaging
in applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure
of the human body by means of stroking, kneading, tapping, and
vibrating with the hands or vibrators for the purpose of improving
muscle tone and circulation."
R.I. GEN. LAWS § 23-20.8-1(2) (1956).
TENNESSEE
The statute states: " 'Massage' means the art of body massage,
by hand or with a mechanical or vibratory device, for the purpose
of massaging, reducing or contouring the body, and may include
the use of oil rubs, heat lamps, salt gloves, hot and cold packs,
tub, shower or cabinet baths. The procedures involved include,
but are not limited to, touching, stroking, kneading, friction,
vibration, percussion and medical gymnastics."
TENN. CODE ANN. § 63-18-103(e) (1990).
TEXAS
The statute states: " 'Massage therapy' means the manipulation
of soft tissue. The term includes, but is not limited to, effleurage
(stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression,
vibration, friction, nerve strokes, and Swedish gymnastics, either
by hand or with mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose
of body massage. Massage therapy may include the use of oil,
salt glows, heat lamps, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, or cabinet
baths. Equivalent terms for massage therapy are massage, therapeutic
massage, massage technology, myo-therapy, body massage, body rub,
or any derivation of those terms. Massage therapy is a health
care service when the massage therapy is for therapeutic purposes.
As used in the Act, the terms 'therapy' and 'therapeutic' do
not include diagnosis, the treatment of illness or disease, or
any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine,
chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law.
Massage therapy does not constitute the practice of chiropractic."
TEX. REV. CIV. STAT. ANN. art. 4512k, sec. 1(1) (Supp. 1995).
UTAH
The statute states: " 'Massage' means the practice whereby
a person either by the hands or with a mechanical or electrical
apparatus administers to another person effleurage (stroking),
friction (rubbing), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion),
and vibration (shaking or trembling), or variations of these,
and the use of rehabilitative procedures involving the muscles
by nonintrusive means and without spinal manipulation. The practice
of massage may include the use of oil rubs, heat lamps, salt glows,
hot and cold packs, or tub, shower, steam, or cabinet baths."
UTAH CODE ANN. § 58-47a-2(2) (1953).
WASHINGTON
The statute states: " 'Massage' and 'massage therapy' mean
a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure
of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes
massage techniques such as methods of effleurage, petrissage,
tapotement, tapping, compressions, vibration, friction, nerve
stokes and Swedish gymnastics or movements either by manual means,
as they relate to massage, with or without the aids of superficial
heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does
not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any
articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations
by the use of thrusting force."
WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 18.108.010(2) (1989 & Supp. 1995).
Massage Requirements:
ARKANSAS
* Must be 18 or older;
* Must be of good moral character;
* Make oath that he/she has not been convicted of an offense
that constitutes a felony;
* Have a high school diploma or an equivalent
* Present credentials issued by a massage therapy school, which
is recognized;
* Must have no less than 500 in-class hours;
* Must pass an examination conducted by the board of massage
therapy;
* Must furnish a certificate of physical examination which is
signed by a physician and stipulates that the applicant is free
from any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease.
ARK. CODE ANN. §17-98-303 (Michie 1987 & Supp. 1993).
COLORADO
Does not stipulate any regulations.
CONNECTICUT
* Successfully complete a course of study of not less than 500
classroom hours at an accredited massage therapy school;
* Pass an examination;
CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 20-206b(a) (West 1989 & Supp.
1995).
FLORIDA
* Applicant is 18 years of age or older;
* Received a high school diploma or its equivalent
* Completed a course of study at a board-approved school or has
completed an apprenticeship program which fulfills the board's
standards;
* Passed an examination administered by the Department of Professional
Regulation;
FLA. STAT. ANN. § 480.041 (West 1991 & Supp. 1995).
HAWAII
* Completed academic training in:
- anatomy;
- physiology;
- structural kinesiology;
- theory and demonstration of massage;
* Spent at least 6 months as a massage therapist apprentice or
massage therapy student in an approved school;
* Meets all requirements set for apprentices stipulated in §452-6(c).
HAW. REV. STAT. § 452-13 (1995).
IOWA
* Complete curriculum of massage education at an approved school,
which requires a high school diploma or the equivalent and which
requires completion of at least 500 hour of supervised academic
instruction;
* Pass examination administered by the Department of Public Health;
* Payment of fee.
IOWA CODE ANN. §152C.3 (Supp. 1995).
LOUISIANA
The applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
Requirement #1
* Pay examination fee;
* Completed massage therapy studies in a minimum of 500 hours,
which consists of:
- 325 hours of basic massage therapy techniques and clinical
practicum-related modalities;
- 125 hours dedicated to the study of anatomy and physiology;
- 50 hours of discretionary related course work, including but
not limited to hydrotherapy, business practices and professional
ethics, health and hygiene, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)
and first aid;
Requirement #2:
* Has been in the practice of massage therapy for a minimum of
3 consecutive years prior to the date of application.
Requirement #3:
* Holds a valid license as a physical therapist
Requirement #4:
* Has been licensed or registered in another state as a massage
therapist, which has and maintains standards and requirements
of practice and licensure or registration which substantially
conform to the requirements in force in this state, as determined
by the board.
LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 3556(B) (Supp. 1995).
MAINE
* Must be at least 18 years of age;
* Supply department with 2 signed photographs of applicant;
* Supply written notification from physician that applicant is
free of communicable disease that would be transmitted through
massage technique;
* Submit report from the Department of Public Safety setting
forth applicant's state and federal criminal record;
* Present 3 character references which state that applicant is
of good moral character;
- one reference must be from a health care provider who is not
a massage therapist or massage practitioner;
* Has a high school diploma or its equivalent;
* Pay application fee.
ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 32, §14305 (West Supp. 1994).
MICHIGAN
* Pass examination administered by the department;
* Applicant must be at least 18 years old;
* Applicant must be of good moral character.
MICH. COMP. LAWS ANN. § 339.1703 (West 1992).
NEW HAMPSHIRE
* Submit required application form;
* Pay application fee;
* Is at least 18 years of age;
* Has not been convicted in NH or any state of any sexually-related
crime or a crime involving moral turpitude for the 10 years immediately
preceding the date of application;
* Submits written evidence of being in good mental and physical
health.
N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 328-B:6 (1984 & Supp. 1994).
NEW MEXICO
* File and application and pay application fee;
* Applicant has reached the age of majority;
* Applicant has completed a board approved training program at
an approved school and consists of the following:
- Program is 650 hours in length;
- If program is less than 650 hours then applicant shall provide
documentation of up to three hundred fifty hours of alternative
qualifying experience;
* Applicant has completed all educational requirements established
by the board.
* Pass examination administered by the board.
N.M. STAT. ANN. §61-12C-9(A) (1978).
NEW YORK
* File an application and pay application fee;
* Education:
- graduated from high school;
- graduated from a school or institute of massage with a program
registered by the department;
* Pass examination;
* Applicant must be at least eighteen years of age;
* Applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or a legal alien;
* Must be of good moral character.
N.Y. EDUC. LAW §7804 (Mckinney 1985 & Supp. 1995).
NORTH DAKOTA
* Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
* Applicant must have graduated from high school;
* Must be a bona fide resident of North Dakota for at least one
month immediately preceding the application to take the examination;
* Must be of good moral character;
* Must present a diploma or credentials issued by a school of
massage approved by the American massage therapy association or
shows that the applicant is an active member of the American massage
therapy association;
* Applicant must achieve a general average score in the examination
of seventy-five percent in all subjects involved and no score
of less than fifty percent in any one subject;
* Pass examination conducted by the board;
* Pays required fees.
N.D. CENT. CODE § 43-25-07 (1993).
OHIO
* Pay required fees;
* Forward the results of a physical examination performed by
a licensed physician, which states that the applicant is free
from communicable diseases;
* Results of an investigation by appropriate police agencies
into the criminal record of the applicant;
OHIO REV. CODE ANN. §503.45 (Anderson 1994).
OREGON
* Furnish the board with any personal references required by
rule of the board;
* Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
* Completed a minimum of 330 contact hours of certified classes
in the following subjects:
- Anatomy;
- Physiology;
- Kinesiology;
- Hydrotherapy;
- Basic Massage Technique;
- Pathology;
- Professional Practices
* Furnish board evidence of training, not to exceed 12 hours
every two years, including first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
certification;
* Pass examination prepared by the board
- Exam will consist of a written and oral portion;
* Pay application fees.
OR. REV. STAT. § 687.051(2) (1989 & Supp. 1994).
RHODE ISLAND
* Fulfill educational requirements, which are established by
the department;
* Be examined physically for detection of contagious diseases
prior to the issuance of such license & twice annually thereafter;
* File application and pay fees.
TENNESSEE
* Applicant must be 18 years of age or older;
* Applicant presently holds a certificate as provided
* The certificate holder is engaged in massage as a bona fide
occupation or vocation and is not utilizing the title masseuse
or masseur, or turkish bath or any other title as subterfuge to
engage in unlawful activity;
* Applicant has never been convicted of any felony or of violating
any statute, resolution, ordinance, rule or regulation, relating
to the providing of massages;
* Pay required fee.
TENN. CODE ANN. § 63-18-106 (1953).
TEXAS
* Satisfactorily completed massage therapy studies in a 300 hour,
supervised course of instruction provided by a massage therapy
instructor, by a massage school registered by the department,
by a state approved educational institution, or by any combination
of instructors or schools, in which:
- 125 hours are dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy
techniques taught by a massage therapy instructor;
- 50 hours to the study of anatomy;
- 25 hours to the study of physiology;
- 15 hours to the study of hydrotherapy;
- 15 hours to the study of business practices and professional
ethics standards;
- 20 hours to the study of health and hygiene; and 50 hours
to an internship program;
* Is registered as a massage therapist in another state or country
that has and maintains standards and requirements of practice
and licensing or registration that substantially conform to those
of this state, as determined by the department; or
* Has practiced massage therapy as a profession for not less
than five years in another state or country that does not have
or maintain standards and requirements of practice and licensing
or registration that substantially conform to those of this state,
as determined by the department.
TEXAS art. 4512k, sec. 2 (Supp. 1995).
UTAH
* Graduated from a school of massage with a curriculum approved
by the division in collaborating with the board, has equivalent
education and training as determined by the board, or has completed
an approved apprenticeship program consisting of a minimum of
1,000 supervised training hours over a minimum of 12 months;
* Has passed an examination approved by the board;
* Is of good moral character;
* Files an application and pays the required fees.
UTAH CODE ANN. §58-47A-5(2) (1953).
WASHINGTON
* Applicant is 18 years of age or older
* Successful completion of an examination administered or approved
by the board;
* Successful completion of a course of study in an approved massage
program or approved apprenticeship program.
WASH. REV. CODE ANN. §18.108.070 (West 1989 & Supp. 1995).
