Government Relations
Government Relations Update 5.5.19
Government Relations Report to Members (Annual Meeting)
Open! NJ State Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy Appointment
See Something Say Something Doc – for filing a complaint
Government Relations UPDATE (4/3/2017)
If you are a student or unlicensed massage therapist, THIS IS FOR YOU. If you are a licensed massage therapist in NJ, this DOES NOT pertain to you.
S2414 & A4054 revises “Massage and Bodywork Therapist Licensing Act” to require certain class study and examination requirements.
Passed both Houses: S2414 passed on 10/20/2016 & A4056 passed on 2/15/2017
What is it? What does it mean for you? When does it go into effect?
S2414 & A4056 are mirror bills for the Senate and Assembly that revises the original avenues to obtain license to massage in the state of New Jersey. As it currently stands, there are three option to apply for a license:
A. Education OR
B. Examination OR
C. Endorsement
The bills that passed require Education AND Examination, OR Endorsement from another state that is approved by the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. That means, you will need to fulfill the required education hours as well as sit for the MBLEX examination to obtain a massage license. The effective date of this has not been announced yet. Please check the NJ Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy website. There will be a new “Alert” added to their announcements.
The AMTA-NJ Chapter will post updates to our chapter website as soon as we know them, as well as send e-mail blasts to our members.
If you should have any questions, please e-mail Kathy at GovRel.AMTANJ@gmail.com.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE – FEB. 10, 2017
POTENTIAL UPCOMING CHANGE IN LICENSURE LAW
Education AND Examination will be required to obtain NJ Massage License
The current massage licensure law in New Jersey allows for three avenues for a massage therapist to obtain a massage license: By Examination OR by Education OR by Endorsement. (link to NJBOMBT listed below)
Mirror bills S2414 and A4056 require BOTH Education AND Examination for a massage therapist to obstain a massage license in the state of NJ. S2414 passed unanimously on the Senate floor on October 20, 2016. A4056 was up for vote on the Assembly floor on Thursday, February 9, 2017, but government was shut down due to the snow storm. The bill is now posted to the February 15th, agenda. If the bill passes on the Assembly floor, it will be sent to the Governor to be singed into law within 45 days.
–What does this mean for you?
- If you already have an active massage license in NJ, this does not affect you.
- If you have an application in with the NJBOMBT, and are listed in pending status, this may not affect you. We will provide information as soon as the chapter knows.
- If you have NOT yet applied for your NJ massage license, you will be required to complete your education AND sit for an approved examination
At this time, AMTA-NJ Chapter does not have additional information as to when this will go into affect if it should pass. We will keep our members updated on the chapter website and with email blasts.
HOW TO REPORT A COMPLAINT
NJ Law requires all persons holding themselves out to be a massage therapist to be licensed. If you are not licensed, you are breaking the law. In addition, if charges are brought up against you for whatever reason, and you are not complying with state regulation, you may not be covered by your professional liability insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative if you have concerns.
Some members have asked how to report illicit activity in their town. It has been suggested that members go to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs website and select the red “File a Complaint” button at the top of the page and follow the steps. It is also suggested that you contact local law enforcement as well.
Effective September 4, 2012, P.L. 2007, c. 337, the “Massage and Bodywork Therapist Licensing Act,” was enacted. The act requires that any person engaged in the practice of massage and bodywork therapy must hold a license from the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.