1     
MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE ACT AMENDMENTS

2     
2021 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

5     
House Sponsor: Joel Ferry

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7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies exemptions from licensure provisions in the Massage Therapy
10     Practices Act.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     exempts a licensed occupational therapy assistant from being licensed as a massage
14     therapist;
15          ▸     exempts a brain integration practitioner from being licensed as a massage therapist;
16     and
17          ▸     makes technical changes.
18     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19          None
20     Other Special Clauses:
21          None
22     Utah Code Sections Affected:
23     AMENDS:
24          58-47b-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapters 98 and 349
25     

26     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27          Section 1. Section 58-47b-304 is amended to read:
28          58-47b-304. Exemptions from licensure.
29          (1) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307, the following

30     individuals may engage in the practice of massage therapy as defined under this chapter,
31     subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed, but may not
32     represent themselves as a massage therapist or massage apprentice:
33          (a) a physician or surgeon licensed under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act;
34          (b) a physician assistant licensed under Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant Act;
35          (c) a nurse licensed under Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, or under Chapter 44a,
36     Nurse Midwife Practice Act;
37          (d) a physical therapist licensed under Chapter 24b, Physical Therapy Practice Act;
38          (e) a physical therapist assistant licensed under Chapter 24b, Physical Therapy Practice
39     Act, while under the general supervision of a physical therapist;
40          (f) an osteopathic physician or surgeon licensed under Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic
41     Medical Practice Act;
42          (g) a chiropractic physician licensed under Chapter 73, Chiropractic Physician Practice
43     Act;
44          (h) a hospital staff member employed by a hospital, who practices massage as part of
45     the staff member's responsibilities;
46          (i) an athletic trainer licensed under Chapter 40a, Athletic Trainer Licensing Act;
47          (j) a student in training enrolled in a massage therapy school approved by the division;
48          (k) a naturopathic physician licensed under Chapter 71, Naturopathic Physician
49     Practice Act;
50          (l) (i) an occupational therapist licensed under Chapter 42a, Occupational Therapy
51     Practice Act; and
52          (ii) an occupational therapy assistant licensed under Chapter 42a, Occupational
53     Therapy Practice Act, while under the general supervision of an occupational therapist;
54          (m) an individual performing gratuitous massage; and
55          (n) an individual:
56          (i) certified by or through, and in good standing with, an industry organization that is
57     recognized by the division and that represents a profession with established standards and

58     ethics:
59          (A) who is certified to practice reflexology and whose practice is limited to the scope
60     of practice of reflexology;
61          (B) who is certified to practice a type of zone therapy, including foot zone therapy, and
62     whose practice is limited to the scope of practice for which the individual is certified;
63          (C) who is certified to practice ortho-bionomy and whose practice is limited to the
64     scope of practice of ortho-bionomy; [or]
65          (D) who is certified to practice bowenwork and whose practice is limited to the scope
66     of practice of bowenwork; or
67          (E) who is certified to practice a type of brain integration and whose practice is limited
68     to the scope of practice for which the individual is certified;
69          (ii) whose clients remain fully clothed from the shoulders to the knees; and
70          (iii) whose clients do not receive gratuitous massage from the individual.
71          (2) This chapter may not be construed to authorize any individual licensed under this
72     chapter to engage in any manner in the practice of medicine as defined by the laws of this state.
73          (3) This chapter may not be construed to:
74          (a) require insurance coverage or reimbursement for massage therapy from third party
75     payors; or
76          (b) prevent an insurance carrier from offering coverage for massage therapy.