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Government Relations Report:
December 10, 2024
Ann Boone, LMT
Government Relations Chair
As a reminder, the National AMTA has filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Department of Education (DoE) bill that was passed on October 1, 2023, and which was scheduled to go into effect on 7/1/24. It is now on hold due to this and other lawsuits. See details of the bill and lawsuit respectively here:
(GE-24-03) Updates on New Regulatory Provisions Related to Certification Procedures and Ability-to-Benefit
https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/AMTAMassage/Campaigns?
As described in the second link, it is important to support the “Smucker Amendment” as it would allow Title IV schools (i.e. those who offer loans/grants, etc and are regularly audited by an accrediting agency), to teach up to 150% of the state minimum clock hours for a chosen vocation. For Massage Therapy in Kentucky, the current minimum number of clock hours is 600; 150% of this would be up to 900 clock hours. As a profession, we are hearing more of a call to be recognized as Healthcare Practitioners. Decreasing the number of clock hours in entry level Massage Therapy education programs is not the answer. We will continue to watch current and new developments.
At this time, adding Kentucky to the Interstate Massage Compact put forward by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) proposing a bill to promote portability of Massage Therapy has been tabled due to opposition of certain aspects of the proposal. Military families are currently able to take advantage of this portability. AMTA continues to work with the FSMTB, Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and other vested parties to continue to explore the best way forward.
Microcurrent devices have been approved to use within our scope of practice by the Kentucky Board for Licensure in Massage Therapy (KBLMT). We are currently working with a PEMF company (BEMER) to have that device also fully approved as well. These were both approved through the legislature to be within our scope of practice on 3/18/21. However, approval of the CE classes by the KBLMT for each device is necessary in order for them to be fully approved within our scope of practice.
The American Association of Equine Therapists and Technicians (AAETT) will hold their next annual conference from June 25-29, 2025 at the Locust Trace Agriscience Center in Lexington, Kentucky. I attended in 2024 as an individual and not a representative of either the KBLMT or AMTA. I was interested in sitting with equine therapists, veterinarians and others involved in equine therapies to hear their concerns and desires as they find a way forward to regulating animal massage in Kentucky. I have also had discussions with members of the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) to learn about their requirements for certification.
The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) continues to work on a framework for Animal Massage regulation. Board members and licensees with the KBVE would like input into developing a program and certification process. If you are an equine massage therapist currently or are interested in becoming one, please contact them at: kbve.ky.gov and request to be on their mailing list for any developing information or with any questions. Please pass this information along to any interested equine therapists as well. Your input and engagement are encouraged as they are looking at revisiting state certification in 2025. KBLMT has expressed interest in having a seat at the table with regards to regulatory input and has been in regular contact with them.
In health,
Ann E. Boone, LMT, BCTMB, MLD-C
Remember: Please continue to check the KBLMT website for any updates (bmt.ky.gov).
We will share updates as we receive them as well.
If you have any further questions, please contact Ann E. Boone, LMT at grchair@amtaky.org.
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