LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16)
Interstate Massage Compact Gains Momentum
AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED in Pulse, the Interstate Massage Compact( IMpact), designed to improve license portability for massage therapists, has been finalized and is now ready for enactment by states. In June, Ohio became the second state to adopt the compact, marking significant progress toward multistate licensure.
Developed through a partnership between the Council of State Governments( CSG), the Department of Defense( DoD) and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards( FSMTB), IMpact aims to reduce barriers and support professional mobility. Spa and wellness professionals are encouraged to follow this initiative as more states consider joining.
FSMTB Weighs in on California Massage Regulation
THE FEDERATION OF STATE MASSAGE Therapy Boards( FSMTB) has reaffirmed its support for whatever regulatory framework California’ s legislature deems appropriate to protect public safety. While California’ s current system relies on voluntary certification through the California Massage Therapy Council( CAMTC), FSMTB highlights concerns— including the state’ s high number of illicit massage businesses and lack of mandatory professional standards. FSMTB ultimately advocates for licensure as the most effective model for public protection, professional accountability and interstate license mobility, but remains neutral as lawmakers consider the path forward. n
PULSE n AUGUST 2025 18