The Council of State Governments finalizes licensing compacts for massage therapists and cosmetologists .

BY MATT SHAFER

LICENSED PROFESSIONALS within the spa industry often face barriers when needing to relocate or work in multiple states . Because of state licensing laws , workers are required to obtain a license in each state where they wish to work . This often comes with redundant application processes , additional fees , retaking exams , or even additional hours of education .

To find solutions to these problems , The Council of State Governments ( CSG ) has been working with the Department of Defense ( DoD ) to create occupational licensing interstate compacts . Interstate compacts are legislatively enacted legally binding agreements among states . CSG , along with a team of experts within the massage therapy and cosmetology professions , recently finalized model compact language that is now ready for states to enact .

The Interstate Massage Compact ( IMpact ) and Cosmetology Compact will enable licensed massage therapists and cosmetologists to practice in all states that join these compacts . This will ease the burden of getting an individual license in every state in which a licensee wants to practice . Similar to interstate recognition of driver ’ s licenses , each compact member state agrees to

28 PULSE ⁿ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023