National Database Proposed

Representatives of 21 state massage-therapy regulatory agencies met on Nov. 17 to discuss the need for greater public protection from unqualified practitioners. The group called for establishing a national database to maintain licensure and disciplinary information on massage therapists and bodyworkers throughout the country. Meeting delegates sought the cooperation of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) toward their goal. Both groups pledged their assistance.

A steering committee consisting of representatives from several state massage-therapy regulatory agencies, the NCBTMB and the FSMTB will conduct initial investigations and report their findings to the founding group.

Currently, 37 states and the District of Columbia have regulatory requirements for practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork.