Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2025

12 • Massage Therapy Journal

Strategic Advocacy: Moving the Profession Forward Advocacy Advancing the Massage Therapy Profession

A t AMTA, we remain deeply committed to advancing the massage therapy profession through strategic legislative and regulatory efforts. We continue to promote professional standards, protect public safety and expand access to massage therapy across the country. Below, we delve into AMTA’s key advocacy areas of focus and the direction we’re taking to move the profession forward. Elevating Professional Standards Through Licensure in All 50 States AMTA is committed to helping champion licensure for massage therapists in all 50 states across the country. The legal recognition of massage therapy and clearly defined requirements will help advance the profession as well as protect the health and safety of

Reinforcing and Enhancing Existing Regulatory Structures AMTA remains vigilant in protecting the integrity of existing licensure systems. In states like Utah and Alabama , we’ve recently acted swiftly to prevent regulatory rollbacks and confusing tiered systems that would dilute professional standards. In Arizona , we continue to engage in collaborative review processes to ensure regulatory continuity and transparency. Our focus is not only to maintain—but to enhance—licensure structures so they reflect the evolving needs of the profession and public. Ensuring Transparent Oversight of Massage Therapy in California Through our participation in California’s Sunset current proposal extends the California Massage Therapy Council's authority, we remain focused on the broader goal of establishing a clear, consistent, and publicly accountable licensure model. Integrating Massage Therapy Into Health Care and Pain Management As the opioid crisis continues to challenge communities, AMTA is championing massage therapy as a non-pharmacological pain management solution backed by a growing body of research. We’re advocating for insurance Review process , AMTA has reinforced its call for transparent, accountable oversight of massage therapy in the state. While the

massage consumers. In states like Kansas and Minnesota , we continue to build broad-based coalitions, strengthening grassroots efforts and communicating the value of statewide licensure for massage therapists. In the face of

delays, AMTA remains focused—the 2026 legislative season will present renewed opportunities to move these state licensing efforts across the finish line. In Oklahoma , we worked quickly to

sustain the oversight of licensure to ensure that massage practitioners in the state remain

properly trained, meet established qualifications, and uphold professional standards. Across all these initiatives, AMTA’s guiding principle is clear: licensure protects the public, enhances credibility for massage therapists, and supports a more unified profession.

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