Message from the Director

Message from the Director - Mary McCluskey - 5/8/08

Last night we held our Alumni meeting and we gathered for wine spritzers, snacks, and captivating conversation. A big topic of interest was the new massage therapy licencing law which is being proposed in 2009. I am a member of the AMTA - WI Chapter Massage Licensing Coalition Committee. Here are some highlights of what will be proposed:

The proposed statutes will be turned in by late August, and we hope that the legislature gets it in January and that it passes some time in 2009. This summer the proposal will be published so everyone can see it and respond.
All state certified massage therapists will be automatically converted to licensed massage therapists. Without a license a person will not be able to perform massage therapy for pay in the state of Wisconsin.
The legal definitions of massage therapy will be expanded to include the use of tools and heat/cold.
All current requirements to become licensed will remain, but an additional requirement for continuing education will be added (24 hours every 2 years.)
There will be a grandparenting clause for current practioners who are not certified. There will be several avenues for them to meet the requirements with a 1 year window for doing so.
There will be several categories of exempted professions. Reflexologists, Movement Educators, and Energy Workers will not have to be licensed as massage therapists to continue doing their work as long as they don't do or say they are doing massage therapy.

Overall this new legislation should be a protection for the public and a step forward for our profession. Once we get into the process further everyone who is looking to see this pass into law will need to contact their legislator to ask for their support. We will help you do this by providing links to your legislators. Stay tuned!

Now, after all that legal mental stuff, here is a photo to remind you of the miracles that are happening outside! These are some ostrich ferns in my forest just coming up to enjoy the sun. Ahhhhh...