As of July 1, 2015 licensure is required for all massage therapists practicing in the State of Alaska.
The laws also indicate a transitional provision for those who have worked as massage therapists. The education and exam requirements will be waived for those practitioners applying under the transitional provision who meet specific criteria. The transitional requirements state that an applicant must:
- apply for a license before July 1, 2017 (after this date all applicants must meet the new exam and education requirements).
- prove ownership, operation, or work for a massage business AND prove performance of practicing massage therapy between July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015. This proof may come in the form of the following documents:
- a signed federal income tax return for one of the five years immediately preceding July 1, 2015, listing the occupation as massage therapy in Alaska;
- a signed schedule C federal income tax return for one of the five years immediately preceding July 1, 2015, demonstrating reported income from the practice of massage therapy in Alaska;
- a sworn statement from an Alaskan employer attesting that the applicant has practiced massage therapy within the five years preceding July 1, 2015, a copy of the employer’s business license, and a copy of the applicant’s Form W-2 or Form 1099-MISC from the same employer;
- a copy of a municipal occupational license that was current as of June 30, 2015 from a municipality in Alaska stating the applicant’s occupation as massage therapist;
- documentation that the applicant has, for at least one year preceding July 1, 2015, been an active member as a massage therapist in a national professional massage therapy association that was established before 2000 which offers professional liability insurance as a benefit of membership, and has an established code of professional ethics; OR
- other documentation found satisfactory to the board; AND
- complete the appropriate form supplied by the department.
- pay the established fees.
- be at least 18 years of age.
- complete fingerprinting requirements.
- have a current CPR certification, and
- have not been convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude or who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or not contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude if the board finds that the conviction does not affect the person’s ability to practice safely.
If an applicant does not meet the transitional requirements then you are required to be licensed effective July 1, 2015 under the new education and exam criteria criteria set out by the new law. These requirements include having completed at least 500 hours of in-class supervised instruction and clinical work from a board-approved school or completion of a board-approved apprenticeship program. In addition to the education requirement, applications must also have:
- verification of having passed the national exam (either the MBLEX or NCETMB/NCETM).
- been fingerprinted and passed a national criminal history record check.
- a current CPR certification.
- completed at least 4 hours of safety education in bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions in the 2 years preceding July 1, 2015.
- not been convicted of pled guilty or no contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude or who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or not contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude if the board finds that the conviction does not affect the person’s ability to practice safely.
If one is applying by credentials, then applicants must provide verification of license in good standing in another state or country whereby the licensing requirements are substantially equal to or greater than the requirements in Alaska or verification of certification by a certification entity. In addition to these credential requirements applicants must also have:
- been fingerprinted and passed a national criminal history record check.
- a current CPR certification.
- not been the subject of an unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulating authority.
- never had a license or certificate to practice massage revoked, suspended or voluntarily surrendered in any jurisdiction.
- not been convicted of pled guilty or no contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude or who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or not contest to, a crime involving moral turpitude if the board finds that the conviction does not affect the person’s ability to practice safely.
For more information visit https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofMassageTherapists.aspx.
