Bill > HB1217

This bill establishes the Interstate Massage Compact (IMC) in Arkansas, creating a multistate licensing framework for massage therapists that aims to increase mobility, ensure public safety, and streamline professional practice across participating states. The compact creates a comprehensive system for massage therapists to obtain a multistate license, which would allow them to practice in multiple member states, subject to specific requirements. To qualify for a multistate license, therapists must hold an active single-state license, complete at least 625 hours of massage therapy education, pass a national licensing examination, submit to a background check, and meet various criminal background and professional conduct standards. The bill establishes an Interstate Massage Compact Commission to oversee the implementation and administration of the compact, with powers including rulemaking, data system management, and dispute resolution. The commission will create a centralized data system to track licensee information, investigative records, and adverse actions, facilitating information sharing between member states. The compact also includes provisions for protecting active duty military members and their spouses, supporting their professional mobility, and includes robust mechanisms for oversight, enforcement, and potential state withdrawal. Importantly, the compact does not prevent individual states from enforcing their own massage therapy laws and regulations, and it allows states to maintain their existing licensing requirements while providing an additional pathway for interstate practice.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1217&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R