New Massage Therapy Law in Georgia
Georgia State Legislature Passes the Massage Therapy Practice Act, SB 110 MCLEAN, VA – May 27, 2005 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) celebrated the Georgia State Legislature’s decision to pass the Massage Therapy Practice Act, SB 110 earlier this month and, is pleased to announce that National Certification will serve as one of the qualification requirements for the State’s licensure of therapeutic massage.
Senators Unterman, Thomas and Smith introduced SB 110 January 2005. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the Senators and Representatives for their support and to the many practitioners who contributed to the passage of this bill,” said Jane Johnson, a Nationally Certified practitioner and the Government Relations Committee Chair of the American Massage Therapy Association-Georgia Chapter. “Relationship matters to our industry. Massage therapists collaborated with bodywork practitioners – we crafted the bill so that it spoke to our professional differences without limiting our practice,” said Johnson. “We wouldn’t be celebrating this momentous event if it hadn’t been for everyone’s persistence and unwavering support.”
Georgia becomes one of 35 states and the District of Columbia to regulate massage therapy. “On May 10th, Governor Sonny Purdue proclaimed safety first by signing SB 110 into law,” said Garnet Adair, Chair of the NCBTMB. “We applaud any law that protects the public and are honored that National Certification will be used as a benchmark for entry-level massage therapists in the state of Georgia.”
National Certification is awarded to practitioners who complete a minimum of 500 hours of in-class, supervised training from a state-approved school or present a portfolio demonstrating equivalent training and experience, pledge to uphold the NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).
To become licensed as a massage therapist in Georgia, applicants must show evidence to the following:
Be at least 18 years of age;
Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
Prove US citizenship or permanent US residency;
Demonstrate good moral character (i.e., professional integrity and conduct that relates to the applicant’s fitness to practice massage therapy);
Agree to provide the Georgia State Board with any and all information necessary to perform a criminal background check, and consent and authorize the Board or its representative to perform a background check;
Successfully complete an education program recognized by the Georgia State Board consisting of a minimum of 500 hours of coursework and clinical experience.
Satisfactorily pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), an equivalent test approved by the Georgia State Board, or an examination administered by another state or jurisdiction whose license requirements meet or exceed those of Georgia.
Public safety is at the heart of the Georgia bill and other recent massage therapy laws spanning across the nation. “These important changes are in alignment with the NCBTMB’s efforts to increase consumer confidence in the skills and competence of their Nationally Certified practitioner,” said Adair. “Passing SB 110 is good for the State, good for practitioners, and most importantly, good for those we serve.”
About NCBTMB:Founded in 1992, the NCBTMB is an independent, private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to foster high standards among professionals and protect the health and safety of consumers. The NCBTMB has certified more than 90,000 professionals in the United States, is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and has been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) since 1993.
Georgia State Legislature Passes the Massage Therapy Practice Act, SB 110 MCLEAN, VA – May 27, 2005 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) celebrated the Georgia State Legislature’s decision to pass the Massage Therapy Practice Act, SB 110 earlier this month and, is pleased to announce that National Certification will serve as one of the qualification requirements for the State’s licensure of therapeutic massage.
Senators Unterman, Thomas and Smith introduced SB 110 January 2005. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the Senators and Representatives for their support and to the many practitioners who contributed to the passage of this bill,” said Jane Johnson, a Nationally Certified practitioner and the Government Relations Committee Chair of the American Massage Therapy Association-Georgia Chapter. “Relationship matters to our industry. Massage therapists collaborated with bodywork practitioners – we crafted the bill so that it spoke to our professional differences without limiting our practice,” said Johnson. “We wouldn’t be celebrating this momentous event if it hadn’t been for everyone’s persistence and unwavering support.”
Georgia becomes one of 35 states and the District of Columbia to regulate massage therapy. “On May 10th, Governor Sonny Purdue proclaimed safety first by signing SB 110 into law,” said Garnet Adair, Chair of the NCBTMB. “We applaud any law that protects the public and are honored that National Certification will be used as a benchmark for entry-level massage therapists in the state of Georgia.”
National Certification is awarded to practitioners who complete a minimum of 500 hours of in-class, supervised training from a state-approved school or present a portfolio demonstrating equivalent training and experience, pledge to uphold the NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).
To become licensed as a massage therapist in Georgia, applicants must show evidence to the following:
Be at least 18 years of age;
Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
Prove US citizenship or permanent US residency;
Demonstrate good moral character (i.e., professional integrity and conduct that relates to the applicant’s fitness to practice massage therapy);
Agree to provide the Georgia State Board with any and all information necessary to perform a criminal background check, and consent and authorize the Board or its representative to perform a background check;
Successfully complete an education program recognized by the Georgia State Board consisting of a minimum of 500 hours of coursework and clinical experience.
Satisfactorily pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), an equivalent test approved by the Georgia State Board, or an examination administered by another state or jurisdiction whose license requirements meet or exceed those of Georgia.
Public safety is at the heart of the Georgia bill and other recent massage therapy laws spanning across the nation. “These important changes are in alignment with the NCBTMB’s efforts to increase consumer confidence in the skills and competence of their Nationally Certified practitioner,” said Adair. “Passing SB 110 is good for the State, good for practitioners, and most importantly, good for those we serve.”
About NCBTMB:Founded in 1992, the NCBTMB is an independent, private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to foster high standards among professionals and protect the health and safety of consumers. The NCBTMB has certified more than 90,000 professionals in the United States, is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and has been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) since 1993.
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