January 2005
The Illinois Massage Licensing Act, signed into law in December 2003, went into effect in January. The act requires massage therapists to complete 500 hours of education, pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and, in an amendment to the act, submit fingerprints for the purpose of a criminal background check. 

The licensing law includes a one-year grandfather period, during which massage therapists may be licensed if they submit fingerprints and meet one of four requirements: being an active member of a national massage association for at least one year; passing the NCETMB; practicing massage at least 10 hours a week for at least one year; or having completed at least 100 hours of formal massage training.

November 2003
On August 16, 2003, Illinois' governor signed an amendment to the state's Massage Licensing Act, which extended the date for meeting the requirements for licensure by one year, to July 2005.

What is the impact of state regulation?                        Back to Laws & Regulations