Purpose

• Establish a Minnesota framework to regulate massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy through licensure, setting standards of practice, ethics, and education.
• Create a state-wide act called the Minnesota Massage Therapy and Asian Bodywork Therapy Act, including a new advisory council, licensing, and enforcement mechanisms.
• Preempt local government (municipal) regulation of these professions in favor of state licensure starting in 2027.

Main Provisions (What the bill seeks to accomplish)

• Create two licensed professions:
  • Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
  • Licensed Asian Bodywork Therapist (LABT)
• Define key terms (eg, massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, applicant, client, advisory council, credentialing examination) and outline how each is practiced and evaluated.
• Require licensure for anyone practicing massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy, with ongoing renewal and continuing education.
• Establish a credentialing process that includes a commissioner-approved credentialing examination and professional liability insurance.
• Create the Massage Therapy Advisory Council to help set standards, ethics, and oversee licensure decisions.
• Set limitations on practice to protect the public and outline what is outside the scope of practice (no medical diagnoses, no high‑velocity spinal thrusts, no injections, etc.).
• Include a system for referrals and co-management with other health care providers when appropriate.
• Create protected titles (eg, “Licensed Massage Therapist” and “Licensed Asian Bodywork Therapist”) and prohibit unlicensed practice or misrepresentation after a future effective date.
• Include exemptions for certain other health care providers and activities (and for some complementary and alternative practices) that are not labeled as massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy.
• Establish disciplinary rules for licensees (including grounds for discipline, penalties, reporting, and investigations).

Licensure & Education Requirements

• General licensure: applicants must submit a complete application, disclose credentials, provide background information, pass a credentialing examination, hold liability insurance, pass a criminal background check, and consent to record checks.
• Education and training paths:
  • Massage therapy: before July 1, 2030, applicants must show a postsecondary program including specified content (anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage therapy theory/practice, ethics, communications, business/legal practices, and supervised practice). Starting July 1, 2030, programs must meet more explicit standards (625 total hours with at least 500 hours of instruction in listed areas and 125 hours of supervised clinical practice, with possible program accreditation).
  • Asian bodywork therapy: similar structure to massage therapy, with 625 total hours (500 theory/education hours plus 125 clinical practice) and credit for accredited programs.
• Licensure by endorsement or by prior experience is allowed, under defined conditions.
• Temporary permits may be issued to allow practice while an application is processed.
• Applicants must obtain professional liability insurance (up to specified amounts) and pass a credentialing exam.

Practice Scope & Limitations

• Scope limitations prohibit diagnosing, performing treatments outside the defined practice, or using certain high-risk techniques (e.g., high-velocity thrusts on the spine, injections, laser therapy, etc.).
• Practitioners must refer clients to licensed health care providers if a condition is outside the allowed scope.
• Co-management with other health professionals is permitted when appropriate.

Titles, Unlicensed Practice & Exemptions

• Effective January 1, 2027, no one may practice massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy or use the titles LMT or LABT unless licensed under the act.
• Unlicensed practice or misleading use of titles is prohibited; penalties and disciplinary actions apply.
• Exemptions include other licensed or regulated professions; certain complementary/alternative health care practitioners; disaster/emergency work; out-of-state events; instruction; government employees; supervised student practice; and nonremunerated care to family members.
• Some activities may occur without licensure if not represented as massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy.

Regulatory Oversight & Advisory Council

• The Minnesota Department of Health, with the Massage Therapy Advisory Council, will license and regulate practitioners, enforce rules, and discipline licensees.
• The Massage Therapy Advisory Council consists of five members (two public members and three licensed practitioners, with limits on ownership of education providers). The council advises on standards, ethics, complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions, and helps administer licensure decisions.
• The council does not expire and will have duties aligned with chapter 214 requirements.

Fees & Funding

• A schedule of fees: initial licensure application (not to exceed $285), biennial renewal (not to exceed $185), duplicate certificate, late fees, inactive status, reactivation, temporary permits, and returned checks.
• All fees are nonrefundable and deposited into the state government special revenue fund.
• Appropriations are provided to implement the act in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Implementation Timeline & Oversight

• Preemption of municipal regulation regarding licensure begins July 1, 2027.
• Initial Massage Therapy Advisory Council appointments are to be made by January 1, 2027, with initial practicing therapist members required to obtain licensure by July 1, 2028 or be removed.
• The bill envisions state funding in 2026 and 2027 to implement the new licensure framework.

Significant Changes from Current Law

• Establishment of a formal state licensure system for massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy (LMT and LABT).
• Creation of the Massage Therapy Advisory Council and a formal credentialing exam process.
• Clear education/training standards and continuing education requirements.
• Protected professional titles and enforcement against unlicensed practice.
• State preemption of municipal licensure processes related to these professions.
• New fee structure and dedicated state funding to implement the system.
• Expanded disciplinary grounds and reporting requirements for licensees.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Massage Therapy and Asian Bodywork Therapy Act - Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) - Licensed Asian Bodywork Therapist (LABT) - Asian bodywork therapy - Massage therapy - Advisory Council (Massage Therapy Advisory Council) - Credentialing examination - Continuing education - Licensure by endorsement - Licensure by prior experience - Temporary permit - Professional liability insurance - Unlicensed practice - Protected titles - Preemption (municipal regulation) - Grounds for discipline - Referrals and co-management - Fees and funding - Approval of schools/program accreditation - Disciplinary action and reporting

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