ADVOCATE FOR MASSAGE THERAPY AS A RECOGNIZED & RESPECTED HEALTHCARE PROFESSION
Government Relations News
It is important for all massage therapists in our state to learn about the Interstate Massage Compact. As Washington nurses experienced in 2023, it's not always a profession's choice to enter a compact. Washington nurses were entered into their Nurse Licensure Compact against their will because the lobbyists for large employers of nurses (e.g. hospitals and large clinics) had greater influence and money than their own. WSMTA believes that what happened to the nurses in Washington in 2023 could happen to massage therapists as well. We would like LMTs in our state to know what the details of the Interstate Massage Compact are as well as the issues, so you can make informed decisions.
Current system in Washington: The system that is currently in place for licensed massage therapists wanting to move from other states to Washington is called, “Licensing By Endorsement for Out-of-State Applicants”. WAC 246-830-035 provides for licensed massage therapists from other states that have substantially equivalent requirements to be granted a license in Washington. If the massage therapist comes from a state that does not have substantially equivalent requirements there is WAC 246-830-037 Transfer Programs, that will guide the massage therapist in getting the additional education they need to qualify for a Washington massage license. If an out of state massage therapist wanted to work temporarily (180 days) in Washington they could use RCW .130.075 Temporary Practice Permits. Almost all states have a “licensing by endorsement” process to admit qualified out-of-state LMTs to their state.
Why do we have Occupational Licensure Compacts? Through licensure compacts, states establish uniform standards to lower barriers to multi-state practice. A state still maintains their own laws and regulations regarding its professions, but by joining a licensure compact, multistate compact licensees are allowed to practice within other compact member states. States that meet the eligibility criteria join interstate compacts by agreeing to the uniform provisions through the legislative process. Essentially, the goal is to create a more streamlined process for licensed professionals to work in multiple states without having to obtain a license in each state that they want to work in. Washington state currently participates in five Healthcare Compacts: Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Physical Therapy Compact, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact and Occupational Therapy Compact.
One of the most misunderstood things about all Professional Compacts is that a Compact License, also known as a Multi-State License does NOT help you to move, it only helps you to temporarily work in another Compact Member State. You must continue to maintain a residence and a single state license (your current state massage license) from your Home State at all times.
Massage Licensure Compact: The Interstate Massage Compact was created via a partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD), Council of State Governments (CSG) and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). This Compact does not become effective until seven states pass legislation to enter into the Compact agreement. At the time of this writing, two states passed Massage Compact legislation, (Nevada and Ohio) and four states have pending legislation, (Montana, Virginia, Arkansas and Connecticut). Currently, there is no Massage Compact legislation pending in Washington.
Issues related to joining the Compact:
Healthcare provider vs personal service provider: In Washington, massage therapists are somewhat unique in that they are classified as healthcare providers. In most states, massage therapists are personal service providers.
WSMTA has learned from Washington massage schools that have transfer programs, that massage therapists coming to work in Washington from another state where they were trained as a personal service provider often have some very large gaps in their educational background and their understanding of the regulatory minefield of being a healthcare provider.
Lowering the educational standards of Multi-State Licensees while raising Washington’s own educational standards: Washington currently requires 625 hours of education, with a very specific breakdown of subject matter, from a Board approved massage school to qualify to receive a massage license. The Board of Massage is currently in discussion about increasing this minimum requirement to 750 hours due to the fact that massage therapists are healthcare providers. A Multi-State licensee must have 625 hours of education, but they are allowed to cobble together these hours from a massage program and continuing education hours.
Multi-State Licensees more than likely will not be aware of all of Washington's massage laws and regulations: The Compact’s legislative language does not require that a Multi-State licensee take a Jurisprudence exam. So, it is highly probable that a Multi-State licensee will NOT be familiar with Washington massage regulation. The Compact language also allows for a Multi-State licensee to work in Washington and not report that they are here to the Department of Health. So, if there are regulatory changes they would never receive any notification of the changes.
Costs for joining the compact that will impact state licensing fees: There will be expenses to the Department of Health and Board of Massage to join the Compact, such as the expenses to implement the requirements of the Compact, and an annual fee levied by the Compact for being a member state (as stated in the Compact’s legislative language). In addition, our state would be responsible for disciplinary costs to manage complaints against Compact licensees while temporarily working in our state. In Washington, the Board of Massage, by law, must be self-supporting. So, if its expenses go up, licensing fees go up for Washington massage therapists.
WSMTA’s biggest concerns relate to public safety as well as the impact to our profession in our state. Would massage therapists working in our state through the Massage Compact work and conduct themselves in a way that could undermine the decades that many of us in Washington have dedicated to raising the professionalism of massage therapy as healthcare? In Washington, we have finally won the respect of other healthcare providers and massage consumers. We have shown that we can help people to relax and unwind and we can successfully treat their musculoskeletal issues too!
Conclusion: WSMTA is a big supporter of greater portability in the massage profession. We wholeheartedly endorse the idea of greater standardization in the regulation of the massage profession. But let's make sure that it benefits and uplifts the professionalism of massage as both wellness and treatment.
WSMTA has published a wealth of information about the Massage Compact. All that information can be found on our website.https://www.mywsmta.org/page-1075510 and https://www.mywsmta.org/Interstate-Compact-Blog-Entry
Be on the look out for a second Interstate Massage Compact 2025 Update in the coming weeks. This Update will discuss some of the known structural issues of the Nurses Compact (which is the Compact that the Massage Compact is based on), that have been problematic for nurses as well as some other potential issues to be aware of.
Thank you to everyone who showed their support for HB 1589 by signing in and showing your "pro" support. The "call-to-action" in this blog posting is now expired. We will keep you posted with future blogs about this bill.
Calling all LMTs: Sign in today to support House Bill (HB) 1589, Deadline: 2/4/25 12:30pm
The Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA) strongly supports House Bill (HB) 1589 and encourages all LMTs to do the same. This bill gives healthcare providers greater opportunity to review and negotiate their health insurance provider contracts -- as independent providers, massage therapists are currently forced into “take-it-or-leave-it” contracts without negotiation.
What does HB 1589 do for LMTs and other healthcare providers?
HB 1589 preserves clients’ access to care by requiring insurance companies to engage in good faith negotiations with independent health care providers. “Good faith” means the insurer must:
HB 1589 also prohibits:
What can you do to support HB 1589?
We need every Washington LMT to support this bill by going to HB 1589's webpage and indicating your support for it. On February 4, this bill will have a public hearing in the House's Healthcare and Wellness Committee at 1:30pm (time is subject to change).
There is a coalition of 20 healthcare professions including massage therapy, chiropractic, physical therapy, speech therapy and more who have been advocating for this bill. Now, we need every LMT to support this bill.
How do you show support for HB 1589?
I would like my position noted for the legislative record I would like to submit written testimony: We do encourage everyone who is, or who has been, a health insurance provider to provide written testimony and provide your story about your personal experience with health insurance contracts. We encourage you to please choose not to testify in person or remotely. The coalition has organized and coordinated this effort.
We encourage you to please choose not to testify in person or remotely. The coalition has organized and coordinated this effort.
Please support HB 1589 to protect client access to necessary and cost-effective Massage Therapy care! 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.
Keeping You Informed: HR 9755 (Fingerprinting LMTs)
Usually, the WSMTA Government Relations (GR) team works to keep you in the know about state level legislation and regulations. Today, I want to bring your attention to a bill at the Federal level. If this bill is passed in the “other Washington”, it would have far reaching implications for Washington State massage therapists.
HR 9755 is a bill that was introduced on the floor of the United States House of Representative by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3) on September 23, 2024. The name of the bill is the Human Trafficking Fingerprint Background Check Protection Act of 2024 (click the link to read the HR 9755 bill language).
What is HR 9755?
“The stated purpose of the bill is to require owners and employees of massage wellness spas to undergo fingerprint-based background checks to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and enhance public safety.”
“The term “massage wellness spa” is defined as a business establishment where various forms of massage therapy are offered. A facility where licensed massage therapists provide therapeutic treatments designed to promote relaxation, relieve stress, alleviate pain, and improve overall health and well-being. This definition includes massage parlors, massage facilities, massage spa, and any other facility where the core service is to provide massage services of any kind.”
How Does HR 9755 Affect LMT’s?
What this means is that ALL of us would have to submit to a fingerprint-based background check. Owners, employees, independent contractors would have to pass the background check before being allowed to continue our work.
New owners would have to pass the background check prior to being able to open a massage business, employees would have to pass before becoming employed, independent contractors would have to pass before being allowed to lease a space in a massage business.
HR 9755 Creates Additional Burdens for Clinic Owners
If you are the owner of a massage facility, YOU will be the person responsible for making sure that all of your employees or independent contractors have passed the background check. You and your employees will also have to undergo mandatory training in recognizing and reporting human trafficking. Anyone who does not follow the rule will be subject to fines, license suspension or perhaps license revocation.
WSMTA’s Stance on HR 9755
The WSMTA GR team and Board of Directors have carefully reviewed the proposed bill and have chosen to oppose it after consulting with one of our trusted experts on human trafficking within massage therapy, who has extensively worked to combat this issue. Our consultant’s assessment is that the bill is both repressive and will be ineffective in achieving its intended purpose. WSMTA remains committed to advocating for measures that truly enhance safety and accountability while respecting and supporting our members and their professional integrity.
What’s Next?
The next article in this series will explore why HR 9755 is an ineffective tool in the fight against human trafficking and we will review a similar topic being discussed by our Board of Massage. Watch your inbox for future information about HR 9755.
__________________________
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 by actively engaging with lawmakers and influencing legislation that affect our profession. We work to protect LMTs' rights, promote fair laws and regulations, and ensure the industry’s growth and integrity.
Each year about this time, the Department of Health (DOH) has to submit to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) their list of “financial asks” for the following year. This draft information is presented to DOH partners to comment on. Here are the highlights, specific to LMTs, from that meeting.
Overall fiscal environment: OFM has told state agencies to focus on only submitting requests for continuing work and to limit requests for any new work or enhancements to existing work. This is due primarily to Washington having a new Governor by next year, who will have their own priorities, and some Initiatives on the upcoming ballot that could have a significant impact on the overall state budget.
The two items that most directly affect massage therapists are in the category of Health Systems. Improvement of Credentialing Timelines:
Long wait times for license issuance is common across all provider types. This is due to a new licensing system, a shortfall in workforce at DOH and a need to get providers working as fast as possible to help with the shortage of healthcare providers
HELMS, Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System. Additional monies are needed to complete the transition to HELMS and to support HELMS. For more info about HELMS, click on the following link:
https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/healthcare-enforcement-and-licensing-management-system-helms
You can find the entire list of proposals here. They are due to OFM by September 10 2024.
Did You Know: RCW 35A.82.025 Authority to Regulate Massage Therapists
RCW 35A.82.02 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=35A.82.025#:~:text=RCW%2035A.,to%20regulate%20massage%20therapists%E2%80%94Limitations.#:~:text=RCW%2035A.,to%20regulate%20massage%20therapists%E2%80%94Limitations. is a very little known law to many massage therapists as well as city officials.
In a nutshell, this RCW says two things that some cities in Washington are likely violating. It states that “a city may charge a licensing or operating fee but the fee that they charge a licensed massage therapist shall not be greater than the fee charged to similar healthcare providers (like a physical therapist) in the same city”.
It also states that a licensed massage therapist is not to be subjected to additional licensing requirements not currently imposed on similar healthcare providers (like physical therapists).
The WSMTA Government Relation Program would like you to take a look at the municipal ordinances/codes related to massage where you practice. Generally this can be found online, though sometimes it takes some persistence to find them. Your best bet is to search by typing in the name of your city/town and the words “municipal codes”. Once in the location of your codes search “massage” (not massage therapy). If your search doesn’t turn up anything, there may not be any codes that are specific to massage in your area. On the other hand if you find violations of this RCW in your codes let us know about it (mailto:gr@mywsmta.org), we would like to create some data on this issue, and then contact your local municipality and bring this to their attention.
Thank you!
WSMTA Government Relation Program
Program Director, Robbin Blake
Marybeth Berney
Stephanie Dickey
Call to Action needed before 5pm Today!
Thank you to all massage therapists who have responded over the past couple of weeks in support of legislation requiring health carriers to provide annual cost of living adjustments. We now have another time-sensative ask.
HB 1655* passed out of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on 1/31/24. That's great news -- but the bill must also pass out of the Appropriations Committee by Monday 2/5/24 in order to keep the bill alive.
Click the link below to find your representative's contact info, then email them with the following message. We need you do this today before 5pm.
"I am reaching out to respectfully ask that HB 1655 has a hearing in the Appropriations Committee today. I am very thankful for your support of this bill, which would require insurers to include annual cost-of-living increases in their provider agreements. This legislation is critical for many massage therapists who struggle to keep up with the increasing costs of rent and other overhead expenses, but whose insurance carrier reimbursements have either never changed in 20 years or have only improved several times in 20 years."
Find Your Legislator's Contact Info
*You may now see HB 1655 referred to as SHB 1655. SHB stands for "Substitute House Bill" as there was an amendment to the original bill that was approved.
Sign in today to support SB 6161 -- act before midnight tonight!
This bill affects massage therapists!
To note your position for the record, click the link below. Once there:
Support 6161 by Clicking HERE to Sign in
What Else Can You Do: Reach out to your colleagues, regardless of profession, and let them know of the urgency showing your support.
Thank you for your patience with our recent emails this past week: WSMTA has sent out several emails in support of HB 1655 and SB 6161 over the last week or so. These bills are important for enabling LMTs to remain or become insurance providers in our state. We know it's a lot of emails and we thank you for your patience with them.
Call to Action #2! Act before midnight 1/29/24!
Please support HB 1655 / SB 6161: Concerning Provider Contract Compensation
Requires provider compensation increases commensurate with consumer price index increases for contracts between a health carrier and a health care provider who is not employed or affiliated with a hospital or large hospital system.
HB 1655 and SB 6161 provide a much-needed annual increase in reimbursement for private practices.
Problem
HB 1655 – Status
HB 1655 – What to Do By the End of Day 1/29/24
SB 6161 – Status
SB 6161 – What to Do By End of Day 1/29/24
Level of Urgency
What Else Can You Do
For Bill Details
Call to Action!
These bills are a first step in ensuring patients can access health care services from independent private practices.
Action
On 9/18/23, the Department of Health (DOH) processed the CR-103 which made it possible for them to send out official details about the new Health Equity CE requirement. DOH created a new section dedicated to the Health Equity CE requirement on the Massage Therapist FAQs page. For details, click the link below and scroll down to the Health Equity section towards the bottom of the page:
DOH Health Equity FAQs for Massage Therapists
Starting in your first, full continuing education (CE) reporting cycle after January 1, 2024, all LMTs must complete a minimum of two hours of CE training in health equity per reporting period. See Part 15 of chapter 246-12 WAC. (Part 15 is very last section at the bottom of the page)
The biggest misunderstanding we hear about is when your first Health Equity CE is due. LMTs must complete 2 hours of health equity starting their first full CE reporting cycle after January 1, 2024. For example, if a person's CE is due on 3/1/24, then their first health equity 2 hour requirement would be due by their first full reporting period which would be 3/1/26.
Currently there are limited health equity classes available. But over the next year there should be quite a bit more offered and more geared towards massage therapists versus classes aimed at the generic healthcare professional. The Department of Health is required to offer a limited amount of free Health Equity CE by the same law that created the health equity requirement for DOH regulated professions. To see what free Health Equity classes the DOH is offering, click the link below:
Contact UsBecome a MemberSubscribeVolunteer
Site Links:Site MapPrivacy PolicyDisclaimerLogin
Connect With Us:FacebookTwitter
Advocate for Massage Therapy as a Recognized & Respected Healthcare Profession