World Massage Festival

House bill 662, providing for the state licensing of massage therapists, was signed into law by Governor Schweitzer on May 5, 2009. The new law goes into effect immediately. However, applications for state licenses will not become available until a Board of Massage Therapists is appointed then writes rules and regulations to implement the law.

In order to qualify for licensure, existing practitioners will need to sign an affidavit stating that they have engaged in the practice of massage therapy for at least 100 hours in Montana. Practitioners would be able to qualify under this provision until July 1, 2012.

After July 1, 2012, applicants must have completed a minimum 500-hour massage therapy program and pass an exam approved by the Board.

Once a massage therapist is licensed, he or she will have to complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal.

Practices exempt from massage therapy licensure, as long as practitioners do not practice or advertise that they practice massage therapy, include: movement education, structural integration, and reflexology.