Changes to Texas' Massage Law Now in Effect

Amendments to Texas' massage law went into effect Sept. 1. Among other changes, the state's massage therapists must now have completed 500 hours of education, up from 300 hours previously.

House Bill 2644 was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry on June 15. The bill amends Texas  Occupations Code, Chapter 455, which is the law that regulates the practice  of massage therapy in Texas.

According to the Web site of the Text Department of State Health Services, "The Texas Massage Therapy Act defines massage therapy, massage therapist, massage school, massage therapy instructor, and massage establishment; sets out licensing requirements for massage therapists; authorizes the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to adopt rules relating to massage therapists, massage therapy instructors, massage schools, and massage establishments; establishes DSHS as the regulatory authority for massage therapy in the state; and prohibits persons from acting as or representing the person as a massage therapist, massage school, massage therapy instructor, or massage establishment without a license unless otherwise exempt from the licensure requirement."

The text of the HB 2644 is available for download at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/massage/mt_laws.shtm.