| Alaska |
“This chapter does not apply to a ... (11) person using only light touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement or to affect the energy systems…”
Statute: AS 08.61.080
Verified: 7/27/2017 |
| Arizona |
“B. This chapter does not apply to: ... 5. When the customer is fully clothed, the practice of movement educators, such as dance therapists or teachers, yoga teachers, personal trainers, martial arts instructors and movement repatterning practitioners.”
Statute: ARS 32-4221
Verified: 7/27/2017 |
| Colorado |
“…(1) Nothing in this article prohibits or requires a massage therapy license for any of the following:
(e) The person provides alternative methods that employ contact and does not hold himself or herself out as a massage therapist. For the purposes of this paragraph (e), "alternative methods that employ contact" include, but are not limited to:...
(II) Practices using touch, words, and directed movements to deepen a person's awareness of movement patterns in his or her body, such as the Feldenkrais method, the Trager approach, and body-mind centering;...
(2) If there is a continued pattern of criminal behavior with arrests, complaints regarding sexual misconduct, or criminal intent that is related to human trafficking disguised as a legitimate exemption, the director may, at his or her discretion determine that a practice is no longer exempt from licensing pursuant to paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of this section.”
Statute: CRS 12-35.5-110
Verified: 7/27/2017 |
| Delaware |
“d) This chapter shall not apply to…
(2) Actions by any person engaged in an occupation which does not require a certificate or certification, including, but not limited to, physical education teachers, athletic coaches, health or recreation directors, instructors at health clubs or spas, martial arts, water safety and dance instructors, or coaches, who is acting within the scope of activity for which such person is trained…”
Statute: Delaware Code 24-5307
Verified: 7/27/2017 |
| Georgia |
“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect, restrict, or prevent the practice, services, or activities of:… (6) A person who uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that his or her services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy;”
Statute: OCGA § 43-24A-19
Verified: 8/7/2017 |
| Idaho |
“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict any person licensed or regulated by the state of Idaho from engaging in the profession or practice for which they are licensed or regulated. (2) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit, prevent or restrict: (e) The practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession, provided that their services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to, the Feldenkrais method® of somatic education, the Trager approach® to movement education, body-mind centering®, Ortho-Bionomy® and craniosacral therapy.”
Statute: Idaho Statutes §54-4003
Verified: 8/7/2017 |
| Illinois |
“(e) Nothing in this Act prohibits practitioners that do not involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but not limited to Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Reike, and Therapeutic Touch, from practicing.
(f) Practitioners of certain service marked bodywork approaches that do involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but not limited to Rolfing, Trager Approach, Polarity Therapy, and Orthobionomy, are exempt from this Act if they are approved by their governing body based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards.”
Statute: 225 ILCS 57/25
Verified: 8/7/2017 |
| Indiana |
“Sec. 5. This article does not prohibit the following”…
(4) An individual's practice in one (1) or more of the following areas that does not involve intentional soft tissue manipulation:…
(B) Feldenkrais.”
Statute: IC 25-21.8-4-5
Verified: 8/7/2017 |
| Iowa |
“This chapter shall not apply to the following persons:... 6. Persons engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics utilizing touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement, provided that the practices performed or services rendered are not designated or implied to be massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to, the Feldenkrais method, the Trager approach, and mind-body centering.”
Statute: Iowa Code Title IV, Ch. 152C.9
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| Kansas |
Kansas did not license massage therapy as of 8/10/2017. This status is subject to change. |
| Kentucky |
“As used in KRS 309.350 to 309.364 unless the context otherwise requires:…
(4) "Feldenkrais Method" means a system of somatic education in which touch and words are used to eliminate faulty habits, learn new patterns of self-organization and action, and improve a person's own functional movement patterns. The method is based on principles of physics, biomechanics and an understanding of, or learning about, human development. The practice is federally trademarked and requires permission from the Feldenkrais Guild to use the term and methodology;”
“KRS 309.350 to 309.364 shall not preclude:… (5) Persons who use procedures within the scope of practice of their profession, which has established standards and ethics, provided that their services use touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged, but who are not designated or implied to administer massage or to be massage therapists. These practices include, but are not limited to, the Feldenkrais Method and the Trager Approach;”
Statute: KRS 309.350, 309.352
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| Maine |
“…a person may not, unless specifically exempted by this chapter, claim to be a massage therapist or a massage practitioner unless licensed in accordance with this chapter.”
“This chapter does not apply to the activities and services of individuals who practice other forms of tissue work exclusive of massage therapy, such as rolfing, Trager, reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki and polarity, if those practitioners do not use the title "massage therapist" or "massage practitioner," unless they choose to meet the requirements of this chapter."
Statute: Maine Revised Statutes Title 32, Ch. 127 §14306C, §14307
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| Massachusetts |
“(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent or restrict the practice of a person who uses touch, words or directed movement to deepen awareness of patterns of movement in the body, or the affectation of the human energy system or acupoints or Qi meridians of the human body while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, but such services shall not be designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices shall include, but not be limited to, the Feldenkrais Method; Reflexology; The Trager Approach; Ayurvedic Therapies, Rolf Structural Integration, Polarity or Polarity Therapy; Polarity Therapy Bodywork; Asian Bodywork Therapy that does not constitute massage as defined in this chapter; Acupressure; Jin Shin Do; Qi Gong; Tui Na; Shiatsu; Body?Mind Centering and Reiki. These exempt practitioners may use the terms ''bodywork'', ''bodyworker'' and ''bodywork therapist'' in their promotional literature.”
Statute: Massachusetts General Law Title XVI, Ch. 112, Sec. 228(b)
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| Michigan |
“(1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of massage therapy unless licensed under this part. The practices for which a license is not required under this subsection include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) The use of touch, words, or directed movement to deepen awareness of patterns of movement in the body as long as those services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. These practices include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(i) The Feldenkrais method.
(ii) The Trager approach…”
Statute: MCL 333.17957
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| Minnesota |
Minnesota did not license massage therapy as of 8/10/2017. This status is subject to change. |
| Missouri |
“7. The following practitioners are exempt from the provisions of this section upon filing written proof with the board that they meet one or more of the following…(3) Persons who use touch and words to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the human body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement;
Statute: Missouri Revised Statutes 324.265
Verified 8/10/2017 |
| Montana |
“37-33-404. Exemptions -- rules.
(5) (a) The provisions of this chapter do not limit or regulate the practice of any person who uses:
(i) touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body, as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement. Exempt practices under this subsection (5)(a)(i) include but are not limited to the Feldenkrais method of somatic education, the Trager approach to movement education, and body-mind centering…
(b) The exemptions in subsection (5)(a) apply only if:
(i) the person is recognized by or meets the established requirements of either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competence, and adherence to ethical standards; and
(ii) the person's services are not designated as or implied to be massage therapy.”
Statute: MCA 37-33-404
Verified: 8/10/2017 |
| New Hampshire |
“II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement, while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that their services are not designated as or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to the Feldenkrais method of somatic education, the Trager approach to movement education, the Alexander technique, and body-mind centering.”
Statute: Title XXX, RSA 328-B:10
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| New Jersey |
“Nothing in this amendatory and supplementary act shall be construed to prohibit any person from using touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body, or to suggest new possibilities of movement provided that these services are not designated or implied to be massage and bodywork therapy and the client is fully clothed.”
“This chapter does not apply to any person who is: …6) Using touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body, or to suggest new possibilities of movement provided that these services are not designated or implied to be massage and bodywork therapy and the client receiving such services is fully clothed.”
Statute: 45:11-68, 13a; Rule: § 13:37A-1.1(c)(6)
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| New Mexico |
“Nothing in the Massage Therapy Practice Act shall be construed to prevent:… D. sobadores; Hispanic traditional healers; Native American healers; reflexologists whose practices are limited to hands, feet and ears; practitioners of polarity, Trager approach, Feldenkrais method, craniosacral therapy, Rolfing structural integration, reiki, ortho-bionomy or ch'i gung; or practitioners of healing modalities not listed in this subsection who do not manipulate the soft tissues for therapeutic purposes from practicing those skills…”
Statute: 61-12C-5.1
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| New York |
“…a license “in massage therapy, or one of the other professions authorized to include massage therapy within their practices is not necessary for the practice of the Feldenkrais Method as long as the unlicensed practitioner does not advertise or engage in the diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing for any human disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition, which would require a license in a health care profession.”
Source: NY State Dept. of Education letter to FGNA, dated 8/17/2000, and NYSED website.
|
| North Carolina |
“Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prohibit or affect: ...
(6)The practice of movement educators such as dance therapists or teachers, yoga teachers, personal trainers, martial arts instructors, movement repatterning practitioners, and other such professions.”
Statute: NC General Statutes § 90-624
Verified: 2/8/2017 |
| Oklahoma |
“Nothing in the Massage Therapy Practice Act shall be construed to prevent...(6) The practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that the services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Practices shall include but are not limited to the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education, Rolf Movement Integration by the Rolf Institute, the Trager Approach of movement education, and Body-Mind Centering. Practitioners shall be recognized by or meet the established standards of either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimal level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards.”
Statute: Oklahoma Statutes 59:4300.3(D)(6) per 2016 State Bill 687
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Oregon |
Massage therapy licensure requirements “…do not apply to…(j) Practitioners who:
(A) Do not claim expressly or implicitly to be massage therapists;
(B) Limit their work to one or more of the following practices:
(i) Using touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement and suggest new possibilities of movement;
(ii) Using minimal touch over specific points on the body to facilitate balance in the nervous system; or
(iii) Using touch to affect the energy systems or channels of energy of the body;
(C) Are certified by a professional organization or credentialing agency that:
(i) Requires a minimum level of training, demonstration of competence and adherence to an approved scope of practice and ethical standards; and
(ii) Maintains disciplinary procedures to ensure adherence to the requirements of the organization or agency; and
(D) Provide contact information in the practitioner’s place of business for any organization or agency that has certified the practitioner.
(2) The State Board of Massage Therapists has the authority to verify that a practitioner claiming to be exempt from application of ORS 687.011 to 687.250, 687.895 and 687.991 under subsection (1)(j) of this section is certified by a professional organization or credentialing agency as required by subsection (1)(j)(C) of this section.”
Statute: ORS 687.031(1)(j); ORS 687.031(2)
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Pennsylvania |
“Nothing in this act shall be construed as preventing, restricting or requiring licensure of any of the following activities: (5) The practice of an individual who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body and to suggest new possibilities of movement, while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics.”
Statute: Pennsylvania Massage Therapy Act 118 of 2008 (Amended by Act 45 of 2009); 63 P.S. § 627.13-5
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Rhode Island |
“(6) Nothing in the article shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that his or her services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to, the Feldenkrais Method® or somatic education, the Rolf Institute’s Rolf Movement Integration, the Trager Approach® to movement education, and Body-Mind Centering. Practitioners must be recognized by or meet the established standards of either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimal level of training, demonstration of competency and adherence to ethical standards.”
Statute: RI General Laws § 23-20.8-9
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Vermont |
Vermont did not license massage therapy as of 8/10/2017. This status is subject to change. |
| Virginia |
“This chapter shall not apply to the following: ...18. Any individual who provides stroking of the hands, feet, or ears or the use of touch, words, and directed movement, including healing touch, therapeutic touch, mind-body centering, orthobionomy, traeger therapy, reflexology, polarity therapy, reiki, qigong, muscle activation techniques, or practices with the primary purpose of affecting energy systems of the human body.”
Statute: Code of Virginia § 54.1-3001 (18)
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Washington |
“This chapter does not apply to: …(6)(a) Individuals who have completed a somatic education training program approved by the secretary; (b) For purposes of this subsection (6), "somatic education" means: Using minimal touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement and suggest new possibilities of movement; and using minimal touch over specific points of the body to facilitate balance in the nervous system. It includes: (i) Any somatic education training program approved by the secretary as of the effective date of this section; (ii) the practice of ortho-bionomy; and (iii) the Feldenkrais method of somatic education.”
“(1) The secretary will consider approval for exemption from this chapter any individual who has completed a somatic education program that has a professional organization with a permanent administrative location that oversees the practice of somatic education training and that has the following:
(a) Standards of practice;
(b) A training accreditation process;
(c) An instructor certification process;
(d) A practitioner certification process;
(e) A code of ethics or code of professional conduct.
(2) An authorized representative shall submit a request for approval of a program on forms provided by the secretary.
(3) The secretary or designee will evaluate the training program and grant approval or denial. If denied, applicants will be given the opportunity to appeal through the brief adjudicative hearing process as authorized in chapter 246-10 WAC.
(4) The secretary may request from an approved training program, and the program shall provide, updated information every three years to ensure the program's compliance with this rule. Approval may be withdrawn if the program fails to maintain the requirements of this rule. Where a determination has been made that the program no longer meets the requirements of this rule and a decision is made to withdraw approval, an approved program may appeal through the brief adjudicative proceeding as authorized in chapter 246-10 WAC.
(5) Organizations representing multiple training programs such as the International Alliance of Healthcare Educators, must obtain an exemption for each training program to ensure clarity regarding what is and is not exempt as a somatic education program.”
Statute: WAC 246-830-485; Rule: RCW 18.108.050
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Wisconsin |
“A license under this chapter is not required for any of the following:...(2m)(a) A person who does any of the following and who satisfies the requirements of par. (b):
1. Uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen a client's awareness of his or her existing patterns of movement and to suggest to the client new patterns of movement...
(b) The person is recognized by or meets the established standards of either a professional organization or credentialing association that recognizes a person in a practice after that person demonstrates an adequate level of training and competency and adherence to ethical standards.”
Statute: Wisconsin Statute 460.03
Verified: 8/14/2017 |
| Wyoming |
Wyoming did not license massage therapy as of 8/10/2017. This status is subject to change. |
