Bill > HB1606

This bill establishes the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Board, replacing the previous State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for overseeing massage therapy regulation in the state. The bill updates and clarifies several key aspects of massage therapy practice, including defining what massage therapy is (a treatment involving touch, pressure, and manipulation of soft body tissues), establishing licensing requirements, and setting professional standards. To obtain a license, massage therapists must be at least 18 years old, complete 500 hours of formal education from a licensed school, pass a nationally recognized competency exam, maintain liability insurance, and disclose any criminal history that might pose a threat to public safety. The bill also specifies what massage therapists cannot do, such as diagnosing illnesses, performing medical procedures, or prescribing medicines. The new board will have the authority to investigate practitioners, issue licenses, set continuing education requirements, and take disciplinary actions like suspending or revoking licenses for unprofessional conduct. License renewal will be biennial, with a 30-day grace period and provisions for reactivating lapsed licenses. The bill aims to protect public safety by ensuring massage therapists meet professional standards and qualifications, and it will go into effect on November 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1606&Session=2600