LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
FSMTB Reaffirms Authority over IMpact
IN A NOVEMBER STATEMENT, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards( FSMTB) reaffirmed its role as regulatory steward of the Interstate Massage Compact( IMpact), rejecting recent outside proposals to revise the model compact legislation. The organization said the model, released in December 2022 after an 18-month consensus process with regulators, educators and professional groups, provides the sole legal framework for multistate massagetherapy licensure. The compact has been enacted by five states, with three more advancing bills and others preparing 2026 legislation.
FSMTB said reopening the model is unnecessary because implementation details— such as education or examination standards— can be addressed through rulemaking by the compact commission once formed. Revisions circulated without FSMTB’ s involvement, the group warned, could undermine regulatory independence, insert outdated statutory language and delay public-protection efforts. FSMTB emphasized altering the model would force states that already passed it to restart legislation. The organization pledged continued support for state boards and mobility for qualified therapists while maintaining consistency and public safety within the compact system.
The full FSMTB Statement on the Proposed Revisions to the Interstate Massage Compact may be found at fsmtb. org.
ONE LICENSE, MANY STATES Esthetics Compact Seeks to Revolutionize Spa Operations Pending legislation aims to remove state barriers for estheticians, boosting mobility and workforce flexibility across the wellness and beauty sector
THE ESTHETICS LICENSURE COMPACT( ELC)— developed by the Council of State Governments in partnership with the U. S. Department of Defense and industry stakeholders— is the proposed interstate agreement designed to make it easier for licensed estheticians to work across state lines. The model legislation is completed and publicly available for state adoption. The CSG database describes the current status: The compact’ s initial draft is out for stakeholder review, and the compact will be activated only once multiple states enact substantially identical legislation.
Why spa leaders should care For spa operators and the broader well-being and beauty services communities, the ELC promises several potential advantages: l Greater practitioner mobility: Estheticians licensed in one state could more easily practice in member states, helping spas recruit and deploy talent across locations. l Reduced licensing barriers: A streamlined, uniform licensing pathway may lower costs and administrative burdens for multi-state operations. l Workforce growth and flexibility: With fewer hurdles to cross-state practice, spas may more easily scale or adapt services in response to demand.
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