To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Massage Therapy Licensing

Initiator

Finance Department

Recommendation

Adopt an Ordinance to amend Chapter 13A of the Columbus Code of Ordinances \n \n regarding licensure of massage therapists.

Approval

Approved

Background

The code governing licensure of massage therapists originally was enacted in

1962 to stem problems with prostitution that at the time involved the massage

industry in Columbus. The industry has evolved from a shady endeavor to a

health-oriented business in Columbus, as well as nationwide.



Although it has been amended several times, the current Code does not

accurately reflect the changes in the industry and does not recognize other

accrediting organizations in the industry; therefore, the procedure to obtain a

license to conduct a massage therapy business in Columbus, Ga., is still

difficult and cumbersome.



The current Code recognizes only one (1) accrediting organization for massage

schools, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), which has now been

replaced by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).



Currently, there are six (6) accrediting bodies for massage schools which

include:



(1) Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology

(ACCSCT).



(2) Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET).



(3) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).



(4) National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences

(NACCAS).



(5) Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).



(6) Integrative Massage & Somatic Therapies Accreditation (IMSTAC).



Additionally, an applicant must have 600 hours at a school approved by the

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) (the national average is 500

hours); or alternatively a copy of certification issued by the National

Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).



A local group of massage therapists called ?The Massage Therapist of Columbus?

met with the Revenue Division staff to discuss issues pertaining to the present

requirements for massage therapy licensure.



The group proposed several changes that they feel will more accurately reflect

professionalism in the field and provide for easier verification and

licensing. The requested changes to the Ordinance from the ?The Massage

Therapist of Columbus? include:



Reduce the number of hours from 600 to 500 classroom hours at a COMTA certified

school. This reduction in hours would enable more massage therapists who

received their training 10 years ago a better chance to qualify. (Recommended

by Finance Department)



Keep the alternative - the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage

and Bodywork (NCBTMB); which only requires 500 hours to sit for the exam.

(Recommended by Finance Department)



Allow reciprocity between states for licensing of massage therapists. The City

would accept current licenses from other states that license (regulate) Massage

Therapists. The states that license massage therapists have sitting boards

that set the criteria for licensing as well as police the profession in the

state to make sure therapist(s) meet or exceed the requirements. For

verification purposes, the Internet could be a tool to verify the license is in

good standing. (Not recommended by Finance Department)



Create an appeals board consisting of individuals in the professional sector in

the event that an applicant?s application is denied based on the

applicant?s ability to satisfy the criteria for licensure. This board will

replace the current appeals process through the City Council. (Not

recommended by Finance Department)

Analysis

The Finance Department recommends that additional accrediting agencies be

added to allow more applicants for massage therapy to qualify and to promote

properly trained, certified, and professional massage practitioners. The list

includes:



Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

This organization is a private, nonprofit, independent

accrediting agency. ACCSCT is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

as a national accrediting agency for private, post-secondary institutions

offering occupational vocational programs.



Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). This

organization is an accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of

Education, which accredits providers of continuing education.

ACCET is a voluntary group of educational organizations affiliated for the

purpose of improving continuing education and training.



Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). This organization is

an independent accrediting commission of

massage therapy education institutions and programs. COMTA is affiliated

with the American Massage Therapy Association.



Integrative Massage & Somatic Therapies Accreditation (IMSTAC). This

organization is the accrediting arm of the Associated Bodywork and

Massage Professionals.



The Finance Department recommends that the minimum hours be reduced from 600 to

500 to compare with the national average and the alternative of certification

through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

(NCBTMB) should remain.



The Finance Department does not recommend adding a reciprocity provision,

because the State of Georgia does not regulate massage therapy nor does the

Consolidated Government have a qualified governing board or the staff to

monitor and review applications to determine if the requirements from another

state meet the guidelines and/or standards of the Consolidated Government for

massage therapy licensure. There are currently 29 states, the District of

Columbia and two Canadian provinces that regulate massage therapists. Each

regulatory state has its own qualified governing body/board that reviews an

application for reciprocity based on each state?s requirements. Based upon

each state?s discretionary review, reciprocity will not be granted if the

applicant has not met said states requirements. The states that regulate

massage therapists have governing boards that are, at times, appointed by that

state?s Governor or General Assembly.



The Finance Department does not recommend the creation of an appeals board for

massage therapy licensure to circumvent or act on behalf of the Columbus

Council. There are no other business licensing processes in the Consolidated

Government that are governed by an appeals board. The current appeals process

via the Columbus Council is the appropriate manner and most efficient way to

address such issues.

Financial Considerations

The proposed Ordinance requires no additional City funding.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

State law governing local occupation tax systems designates certain

professions, which may not be regulated by localities and must be given certain

considerations in local occupation tax ordinances. Physiotherapists are one

such profession. Physiotherapy is the science of treating disability, injury,

and disease by external physical means, such as electricity, heat, light,

massage, exercise, etc. However, massage therapists have not traditionally

been considered to be physiotherapists for purposes of occupation licensure,

regulation or taxation, either in Columbus or elsewhere throughout the state.

Recommendations/ Actions

Adopt an Ordinance to amend Chapter 13A of the Columbus Code of Ordinances

regarding licensure of massage therapists.

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