Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 22, 2008, to require licensure and regulation of massage therapists, and impose $75 annual license fees. The bill would create a Michigan Board of Massage Therapy to establish licensure and competence assessment requirements for the practice of massage therapy, and would require 500 hours of training

The vote was 79 in favor, 25 opposed and 6 not voting

(House Roll Call 573 at House Journal 63)

Click here to view bill details.

Gee, do you think the "massage therapy" schools had anything to do with this? It's so easy, just follow the money.

Rep. Agema, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: “Mr. Speaker and members of the House: More fines, permits and fees for services the government does not need to regulate.”

This massage regulation will make it difficult for someone who might have chosen an unorthodox path toward knowledge of massage therapy, to being allowed to become a practitioner. For example, if someone trained in Thai Massage, in Thailand for example, this person would then additionally also have to go to massage school in Michigan. This is onerous and burdensome regulation at a time when employment in Michigan is difficult to find.

We don't seem to have a problem with draconian regulations of every other business here in michiganistan, why not the massage parlors? Hey, these people know whats best for you.

More regulation.

I'm sorry but you are the reason Massage Therapists themselves want regulation and Liscensure. To uphold a code of ethics, and to set a standard of professionalism. I can't believe that someone would still refer to an icreasigly researched and proven form of health care with such an archaic stereotype.

Awesome. That's exactly what our all knowing twits in lansingistan are always on the lookout for. The more burdensome the better. Soon we can get all of the business to leave this state and turn it into a giant deer preserve.

therapists WANT to get a license, then make it VOLUNTARY, NOT MANDATORY.

 I absolutely agree with the licensing of Massage Therapists in the state of Michigan.  We need to protect our clients to ensure that the practitioners are certified through the national certification board, insured through a reputable agency and licensed to provide massage therapy to our clients.

 

It protects us as well as our clients.

 

Well done Michigan Legislature.!

 why does a massage therapist NEED to be licensed?

how does a license PROTECT anyone?

people are licensed to drive, yet people still die on the roads daily. a license is NOT protection, it's a state power and money grab.

if you are going to license everybody, why not license hookers as well?

 No. I dont think that is what this bill is saying.  If you read the full article, near bottom, a board will review it and determine if the skillset is worthy for the license.   IMHO, if you are from Thailand, and want to practice here, and speak English, there should be no issue to get a license.

 IT DOES week out people who DO use the title improperly.   What if a Doctor, who is not really educated, or went to a school that did not have good standing and they just gave him a cert and he started to practice?  Its a regulation that will allow people in good standing to work in that good standing, and also allow people to determine the difference between ligitimate Theripist, and one who is doing shady things claming this profession.  It happens saddly.

 

Agreed.  I just hope that they ackknowledge the NCTMB worthy of obtaining the licenseing.  Since I already took the test, and spent the money lol....

 Well, saddly not all schools would have supported this. There are a lot of schools tryin to make a quick buck by "SAYING" they teach and hand out a cert, and in the end of the deal, the person is not getting the proper teaching and not "graduating"  from a well structured and professional school.  Right now there is a NEED for structure and YES change will have to occure.  The money part sucks, but if we want to be acknowledged Professional and work along with Chiropracters, Nurses, Doctors..then YES WE NEED THIS.  It will ensure the people that really want to do this for a career can do such with a professional stance..  

I do agree, the fines and fees are gettin annoying though..typically you do not make so much in the field and you are expected to pay a lot maintain this profession already.

 

THEY ARE NOT MASSAGE PARLORS , THIS IS WHY WE NEED LICENSING SO PEOPLE STOP THINKING THESE THINGS AROUND A GENIUNE PROFESSION.

 Well, since there is a lack of education on yoru part..A divers permit not only gives you a basic understanding of driving, and god willing you do have such, it also allows those to FIND you and PROSECUTE those that do harm others while driving...    A License, is a ID. 

 

well, I am sorry you think of MT along with Hookers, that is the exact reason there NEEDS To be license, so when clients like you hop on table with the wrong expectations...they can be prosecuted...

 Massage Parlors?   WOw....THis is why we need the license to go though.   Would you tell your doctor there is no reason he shoudl have a license to practice?  Or your nurse? Or what about your surgeon?  UM..NO..why? because you KNOW that there is a standard of knowledge and professionalism expected of them ...

 

huh?  Twit?  Dont make sense.  It is a much needed regulation.  Would u say that to your Doctor? That the people who made them obtain a license are twity?   um....try again..

 

People who say this should pick a new profession.  If you dotn want to work professionally, then get out.

GET REAL! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK WE NEED A LAW TO BE PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPISTS?

DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE WORDS "LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST" THATS ALL THIS LAW DOES!!

 15 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS AND I HAVE NEVER NEEDED A LAW TO BE A "PROFESSIONAL". IT MAKE ME QUESTION YOUR ETHICS!!? 

AND THOES OF YOU WHO ARE COMPARING MASSAGE THERAPIST TO DOCTORS AND NURSES...YOU HAVE SOME EGO! MASSAGE THERAPIST ARE SOFT TISSUE EXPERTS, THAT IS ALL! WE DO NO'T DO REHAB WORK, THATS FOR THE PT'S TO DO. WE CAN NOT HURT ANYONE WITH OUR WORK. OUR JOB IS TO RELAX THE MUSCLES AND CREATE CALM IN THE BODY.

AGAIN, I QUESTION YOUR ETHICS AND YOUR EGO!

Wow, you think you're a professional??? Really.  Get a brain.  It has nothing to do with ego comparing yourself to a practioner who is required to have certain acredidation in order to serve you in the best capacity, because that's what massage therapists want to be able to do.  Okay, so we have to pay a minimal fee every year, I for one am willing to pay this in order for people to take me seriously.  Why would you question someone's ethics when they just want to be better?  You really are just stuck on yourself aren't you?

Oh, and, if you think that you can't hurt someone giving them a massage you're a total IDIOT! You can always hurt someone you work on if you don't know what the hell you are doing.  Honestly it depends on what type of massage you are giving and its NOT always just manipulating the SOFT TISSUE.  You could do a deep tissue massage have you ever heard of one of those??? Probably not, because guess what, you can hurt someone.  You could even get into medical massage, what do you think of that?

You are the reason massage therapists need to be lincensed, so we can be taken seriously.  Maybe you're one of those therapist who give the little extra on the side...

You're a moron and should not be working on anyone ever! Go to school, get a real job and LEARN a little something if you can.

 

I completely agree with the new regulations, after all they are meant to help people trust massage therpaists and that's only help therapist have more patients. What about chiropractor therapists? Are they susceptible to the new regulations too?

 Why is the solution ALWAYS more government? Perhaps well intended but the road to socialism is paved with "good intentions."