BY JOSH CORMAN

FOR MANY LICENSED professionals working in the U . S . spa industry , the lack of reciprocal licensure between states has meant that those eager to take advantage of the industry ’ s reputation for flexibility and its many employment opportunities often find themselves frustrated . For example , those licensed to practice massage therapy or cosmetology in a given U . S . state often face barriers that make , say , moving to a new state — or practicing in multiple states at once — a serious challenge . Because regulations often differ ( sometimes significantly ) from state to state , a practitioner moving from one state to another can face additional fees , examinations or practice hour requirements just to obtain an equivalent license . Naturally , these potential burdens have the practical effect of suppressing state-to-state movement among practitioners , which can severely limit their career opportunities .

44 PULSE ⁿ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021