Dear Washington Massage Therapists, Clinic Owners, Employees, Clients and Supporters,

On Tuesday June 16th, 2026 The Federal Way City Council meets and will soon decide, at this meeting or the next, whether to move forward with a massage business ordinance that includes three controversial regulations:

• Prohibiting locked entrance doors during business hours
• Prohibiting internal warning systems*
• Prohibiting cash transactions

* Note: WSMTA and other interested parties are only concerned about door chimes being prohibited.  In the June 9 Committee meeting, the city stated door chimes were not included in this prohibition, however this exclusion has yet to be included in writing in the ordinance's definition of "internal warning systems".

The Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA) supports strong and effective enforcement against illicit businesses operating under the guise of massage therapy. We appreciate that the Federal Way City Council voted to send this ordinance back to committee for further discussion and refinement.

However, WSMTA continues to strongly oppose these three regulations because they place lawful massage therapists into an impossible position of having to choose between:

• Violating city regulations in order to protect themselves and their clients,
• Complying with the ordinance and potentially compromise safety, privacy, business operations, and client well-being.
• Moving massage practices or clinics outside of city limits to avoid these regulations

During the June 9th Committee Meeting, law enforcement stated they would focus enforcement efforts on illicit businesses and not lawful massage therapists. While we appreciate that acknowledgment, licensed massage therapists would still remain legally responsible for complying with the ordinance.

It does not help a city to effectively tell lawful healthcare professionals that they may need to ignore city regulations in order to remain safe.

These 3 Regulations are not Standard in Washington Massage Ordinances.

To WSMTA’s knowledge, Renton is the only city in Washington with a prohibition on locked doors during business hours, and WSMTA could find no other Washington cities that prohibit warning systems or cash transactions in massage businesses.

After reviewing the municipal codes for 20 different cities who either previously enacted massage business ordinances or had language requiring a state issued massage license to practice massage in their city WSMTA has found no other instances of cities mentioning any of these three regulations. 

WSMTA’s Compromise Proposal

WSMTA has not simply objected to the ordinance. We have offered a compromise solution that would still provide law enforcement tools while minimizing harm to legitimate massage therapists.

WSMTA proposed:

• Exempting massage therapists in solo private practice with no employees from these three regulations, since illicit businesses with multiple workers are the primary concern.
• Allowing massage clinics to qualify for exemption if they submit to inspect and meet certain other criteria.
• Adding a one-year sunset clause requiring the City Council to revisit these three regulations and determine:

• Whether they were effective,
• Whether they harmed lawful massage businesses,
• Whether they should be revised, retained, or eliminated.

• Clarifying that standard door chimes are allowed, which would resolve concerns regarding the ordinance’s “internal warning system” language.

WSMTA is attempting to work collaboratively with the City to create an ordinance that targets illicit businesses without unnecessarily harming licensed massage therapists and their clients.

Ultimately, WSMTA would prefer these 3 regulations not be in the ordinance because cities have a tendency to copy from one another and we wouldn't want other cities to adopt these regulations.  However, if the city is intent on adopting them, exempting lawful massage therapy private practice and clinics would remove the impact of these city regulations.

Why Your Voice Matters

Massage therapists are healthcare professionals regulated by Washington State through extensive RCWs, WACs, licensing requirements, continuing education requirements, and professional standards.

When cities create massage ordinances based on existing state massage laws, there is usually little impact on lawful massage therapists.

The conflict begins when cities impose additional regulations aimed at controlling illicit businesses that directly interfere with how legitimate massage therapists safely operate their practices and care for clients.

Federal Way City Council members need to hear directly from massage therapists, clinic owners, employees, clients, and residents before making a final decision.

Where You Can Find the Federal Way Massage Business Ordinance

Click on FW Massage Business Ordinance.  Click on the "Agenda Packet" link it has 261 pages.  The ordinance starts on page 82 and ends on page 95.

What You Can Do

1. Attend the Federal Way City Council Meeting -- the section in the council meeting that discusses the massage business ordinance will be a public hearing where the council will hear specific comments about this ordinance.  Please give your public comments at this time.  There is a general public comment section more towards to the start of the council meeting, but public comment about the ordinance should be held to the public hearing section on the massage business ordinance if at all possible.

• Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6:30pm
• Please consider attending and providing public comment.
• Personal stories and real-world examples matter.

If you speak:

• Be respectful and professional
• Keep comments concise
• Explain how these regulations could affect safety, client care, privacy, or business operations

Emphasize that legitimate massage therapists also want illicit businesses shut down if you believe this.

2. Email the Federal Way City Council

Emails can be sent to: council@federalwaywa.gov

Politely ask the Council to:

• Continue refining the ordinance,
• Remove or revise the three controversial regulations,
• Adopt WSMTA’s compromise proposal if they will not remove or revise the three controversial regulations.

Even a short email can make a difference.

Thank you for helping protect both public safety and the massage therapy profession in Washington State.

Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA)
Government Relations Program

Ongoing WSMTA Advocacy Efforts

Over the past week, the Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA) has continued active advocacy efforts regarding the proposed Federal Way massage business ordinance.

WSMTA supports strong enforcement against illicit businesses operating under the guise of massage therapy. However, local massage therapists and WSMTA continue to oppose three proposed regulations within the ordinance:

• Prohibiting locked entrance doors during business hours
• Prohibiting internal warning systems*
• Prohibiting cash transactions

* Note: WSMTA and other interested parties are only concerned about door chimes being prohibited.  In the June 9 Committee meeting, the city stated door chimes were not included in this prohibition, however this exclusion has yet to be included in writing in the ordinance's definition of "internal warning systems".

WSMTA believes these regulations create significant safety and operational concerns for lawful massage therapists and their clients.

Communication with Federal Way Officials

Throughout the week, WSMTA communicated with Federal Way officials, submitted written comments, and provided public testimony during the city committee meeting reviewing the ordinance on June 9th, 2026.

During discussions and public statements, city representatives indicated that law enforcement would primarily focus enforcement efforts on illicit businesses rather than lawful massage therapists.

WSMTA raised concerns that lawful massage therapists may effectively be placed in a position where they feel compelled to violate city regulations in order to maintain safety for themselves and their clients.

Comparison to Other Washington Cities

WSMTA informed the Council that these three regulations are uncommon in Washington massage ordinances.

To WSMTA’s knowledge, Renton is the only city in Washington with a prohibition on locked doors during business hours, and WSMTA could find no other Washington cities that prohibit warning systems or cash transactions in massage businesses.

After reviewing the municipal codes for 20 different cities who either previously enacted massage business ordinances or had language requiring a state issued massage license to practice massage in their city, WSMTA has found no other instances of cities mentioning any of these three regulations. 

WSMTA highlighted Kent as an example of a city that has successfully reduced and kept out illicit businesses without these 3 requirements.

WSMTA’s Compromise Proposal

Recognizing the City’s desire to maintain enforcement tools against illicit businesses, WSMTA offered compromise solutions, including:

• Exemptions for solo practitioners,
• Exemptions or alternative compliance pathways for lawful clinics,
• A one-year sunset review of the regulations.

WSMTA also requested the City to indicate in the definitions section of the massage business ordinance that door alarms are excluded items of “internal warning systems”.  If the City does this, then it eliminates one of the 3 regulations as an issue from the ordinance.

Additional Ordinance Recommendations

WSMTA submitted additional recommendations intended to strengthen enforcement against illicit businesses while minimizing unnecessary impact on lawful massage therapists.  There has yet to be comment about them.

June 16 Federal Way City Council Meeting

The ordinance is currently scheduled for a first reading before the Federal Way City Council on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

WSMTA encourages massage therapists and supporters to:

• Attend the June 16 council meeting,
• Submit respectful written comments to the Council,
• Participate in public comment,
• Continue educating others about the distinction between lawful massage therapy businesses and illicit businesses operating under the guise of massage.

The next posting has additional details on supporting Federal Way.  Public participation remains critically important as this ordinance moves forward.

Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA)
Government Relations Program

This call back action is no longer active.  Thank you for everyone who participated.  This bill was passed and signed by the governor into law on 3/23/26

Calling all LMTs: Please contact your Legislators to support ESSB 5845 for more timely insurance payouts and notification of billing issues as well as to reduce the time insurance carriers have to take back previous payments (aka "clawbacks").  

Things are coming down to the wire on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5845:

• it has until Friday March 6 to pass out of the House or it dies.  
• It has until Friday March 13 to be re-voted on the Senate Floor or it dies.

Even if you are not an insurance provider, we need everyone's support for this bill to get it over the finish line.

ESSB 5845 has had bipartisan support with unanimous votes in the State Senate and in the State House Appropriations Committee.  We need your voices to show support for this bill to make it over the final humps -- it's sooooo close.

What can you do to help this process, right now?

Contact your House Representatives and Senator and tell them about the need 

• If you already have a personal relationship with your Representatives and Senator, reach out to them.  Ask them to support ESSB 5845 and vote yes on it.  The details about the bill are below.
• If you don’t know your House Representatives or Senator, find them by clicking on the link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5845 and type in your home address.
• WSMTA asks that you click on the button for “Support” after you fill in your contact information. 
• You can tell your House Representatives and Senator why this bill is important to you or you can copy in the short memo below and personalize it as you will.

What to say or write about ESSB 5845:

Support ESSB 5845

I am writing to request your support for ESSB 5845--Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers. This bipartisan bill is important to health care providers, including massage therapists. It strengthens timely reimbursement standards and reduces the period during which insurers may recoup previously paid claims. These changes promote predictability, fairness, financial stability and reduces administrative burden for both providers and insurers across Washington.

Massage therapists who accept insurance typically operate solo practices or work in small clinics with limited reserves. When insurers pay late, do not provide information about unclean bills in a reasonable time period, or demand repayment for services rendered up to 24 months earlier, it becomes difficult to focus on patient care. For massage therapists and other small outpatient providers, even a single multi-visit clawback can significantly disrupt cash flow. Shortening the clawback window to 12 months from 24 months (when a single insurance carrier is involved) improves financial predictability, encourages timely claim review, and reduces the administrative burden of reconstructing records years later.

ESSB 5845 passed the House Appropriations Committee unanimously. The fiscal note shows no impact to the state general fund, as costs are supported through the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Regulatory Account.

Please support ESSB 5845. Thank you.

What is ESSB 5845 -- Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers?

• Requires health insurance carriers to pay 100% of “clean claims” from providers or facilities within 30 days, instead of only 95%.
• Requires carriers to notify providers or facilities within 21 days if a claim is denied or if claims are not clean.
• Reduces the time insurers can request "clawbacks" for claims from 24 months to 12 months when only one insurance carrier is involved, with limited exceptions.
• When more than one insurance carrier is involved and they need to coordinate claims, they must request refunds in writing within 18 months of the original payment (previously 30 months), except in cases involving mental health services or fraud.
• Removes ambiguity by creating definitions.

Level of urgency:

Please reach out to your House Representatives as soon as you read this article, time is very urgent as we only have until the end of day Friday March 6 to get this bill out of the House and back to the Senate.

What else can you do?

Reach out to your colleagues, regardless of profession, and let them know of the urgency of getting this bill passed. The number of voices that legislators hear from is very important.

Please support ESSB 5845 create better regulations around the payments to providers and facilities.  Thank you!

The WSMTA Government Relations team Is dedicated to updating and keeping you informed on issues related to legislation and regulation that impact Washington massage therapists. WSMTA advocates for massage therapy to be a recognized and respected healthcare profession.  We work to protect LMTs' rights, promote fair laws and regulations, and ensure the industry’s growth and integrity.

Currently, there are several bills in the Washington State Legislature that affect massage therapists, these two affect LMTs who are insurance providers.

Substitute Senate Bill 6071: This bill would limit the amount of time that health insurance carriers can do “clawbacks.  Currently, health insurance carriers can request repayment for up to 24 months after payment was made to a provider, or up to 30 months if the carrier had to coordinate benefits with another carrier.

The substitute bill changes the 24 months to 12 months and the 30 months to 18 months. This reduction in time allows for better stability for providers. The original bill requested a 6-month limit on clawbacks in both situations, but it was changed in the substitute bill.

This bill passed out of its original committee and now resides in the Senate Rules Committee. For full details go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6071&Year=2025

Substitute Senate Bill 5845: Health insurance carriers are required to make payment of “clean” claims within 30 days of receipt and all claims must be paid or denied within 60 days. 

This bill requires health insurance carriers to make payment of clean claims within 30 days and carriers have 21 days to request additional or missing documentation to process a claim.  When the documentation is supplied, the carrier then has 30 days to pay. If a carrier fails to process claims according to the timeline, then the carrier must pay interest on these claims.  The substitute bill also provides for better clarity of process and definitions of terms.

This bill passed out of its original committee and now resides in the Senate Rules Committee. For full details go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=5845

At the time of this blog posting, both bills are still in process in the Senate -- they have until February 17 to be passed by the Senate.

Created by Marybeth Berney, LMT and Robbin Blake, LMT

Are You Aware of RCW 18.108.045 Display of license or certification--Availability of photo identification? This RCW states:

• (1) A massage therapist licensed under this chapter or a reflexologist certified under this chapter must conspicuously display his or her credential in his or her principal place of business. If the licensed massage therapist or certified reflexologist does not have a principal place of business or conducts business in any other location, he or she must have a copy of his or her credential available for inspection while performing services within his or her authorized scope of practice.
• (2) A massage therapist licensed under this chapter or a reflexologist certified under this chapter must have government-issued photo identification on his or her person or have it be available for inspection by city, county, or state law enforcement or department personnel at all times he or she practices massage therapy or reflexology. The name of the massage therapist or reflexologist on the government-issued photo identification must match the name on the massage therapy license or reflexology certification.

To read the RCW, click on the this link: RCW 18.108.045 Display of license or certification

You also need to be aware of and follow any local regulations that you might be subject to. In the last few years many Washington cities have/are updating their ordinances. Many of these ordinances specifically define what “conspicuously display” means. For example:

• "Conspicuously display" shall mean the display of licenses and certificates in a manner that can be viewed and read by a person immediately upon entry into the initial common area of massage business or reflexology business without having to request to see the license or certification.
• In situations where a massage business or reflexology business is a mobile service which travels to where the massage therapy service or reflexology service will be conducted, conspicuously display shall mean the display of licenses and certificates in a manner that can be viewed and read by a person immediately upon approaching the massage table, massage chair or furniture used to do massage therapy or reflexology.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at gr@mywsmta.org.

On May 20, 2025, Governor Ferguson signed off on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814 to make it law. This bill had narrowly passed in both the State House and Senate.

Around 8/19/25, the Washington Department of Revenue emailed businesses stating that 7 new categories of services were going to be responsible for charging sales taxes on their services beginning on 10/1/25.

These 7 new service categories were:

• Advertising services
• Custom website development
• Custom software & customization
• Information technology (IT) services
• Investigation, security, and armored car services
• Live presentations
• Temporary staffing

For most small continuing education businesses and instructors in the massage world this was the first that anyone had heard of this new law. Sales Taxes on the 7 services were to go live on October 1, 2025, which meant that most services affected by this law had approximately 41-42 days to implement this sale tax and start charging customers. Many businesses heard about this through word of mouth as they did not receive prior notification by the Dept. of Revenue. This law is part of our state government’s effort to raise enough taxes to the state’s budget deficit.

The part that affects massage therapists the most is that sales tax was to be collected on “Live Presentations”, also known as continuing education. There have been several “Interim Guidances” created by the Dept. of Revenue to help businesses understand the law. The remaining excerpts are taken from the primary interim guidance on Live Presentations.

What is a “Live Presentation?

To be a “live presentation,” it is sufficient that the presenter or instructor and/or audience are allowed to give, receive, and discuss information with one another in real time, whether this occurs in-person or electronically. A taxable live presentation requires a fee, charge, or any other exchange of consideration between any parties involved.

The following considerations can be used to help determine if you are providing a live presentation:

• The purpose of the activity is to inform, explain, persuade, or educate on a particular subject;
• The structure of the activity is in the form of a seminar, lecture, workshop, course, or any similar event;
• The activity must allow for more than one attendee.

NOTE: The determination of whether a service meets the definition of a “live presentation” is based on the specific facts and circumstances of a particular transaction. While the considerations above are generally features of a live presentation, the specific tax results of a particular transaction may vary.

Live presentations include, but are not limited to, the following types of activities:

• Courses, classes, seminars, workshops, or other programs for personal or professional enrichment such as art, music, choir, pottery, business and marketing, cooking, and CPR classes or lessons.
• Continuing professional education including: continuing legal education, continuing medical education, continuing education for trades, continuing education for teachers, etc.
• Driving education courses or lessons.
• In-person and online instructional classes, lessons, workshops, seminars, or other programs that are provided in real time.

Note: With respect to any of the activities identified directly above, the activities would not be a live presentation if the activity is provided by and as part of a learning program by a public or private elementary or secondary school, or as part of a learning program encompassed within the accreditation of a higher education institution.

What is not included in a live presentation is one-on-one instructional activities such as tutoring, consulting, or music lessons.

Dept of Revenue Interim Guidance on “Live Presentations: Interim guidance statement regarding changes made by ESSB 5814 for live presentations as of September 12, 2025.