Pennsylvania Department of State Reminds Massage Therapists of Licensing Deadline

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Massage Therapy Licensing Board is reminding existing massage therapists of the approaching December deadline to become licensed under the grandfather provision of state law. The board operates under the Department of State.

The Massage Therapy Law requires anyone practicing massage therapy to be licensed. Existing practitioners' applications must be approved by -- not just submitted to -- the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs by Dec. 30, 2011.  Anyone applying for licensure after this year's December deadline must pass the state examination in order to become licensed.

"Massage therapists worked more than 15 years to establish licensing of their profession in Pennsylvania," said Katie True, Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. "Licensing protects consumers by setting standards of practice, and recognizes licensees as the health care professionals they are."

The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, a division of the Department of State, licenses and regulates 29 professions in Pennsylvania.  

Currently, there are 2,407 licensed massage therapists in Pennsylvania. However, the Massage Therapy Licensing Board estimates there are at least 8,000 massage therapists now practicing across the state.

"Practicing massage therapists can become licensed under the grandfather clause in several ways, including verification of working for one or more employers as a massage therapist from October 2005 through October 2010," True said. "I urge massage therapists who qualify to apply now for a license under the grandfather clause, to comply with the law, and take advantage of this option before it expires."

Businesses which hire massage therapists should also verify licensure, as anyone employing an unlicensed massage therapist is also violating the law.

For more information on licensing requirements, visit www.dos.state.pa.us., then click on licensing, health-related boards, and massage therapy.

Media contact: Ron Ruman, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

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