“ We ’ re still in the development phase , but what we want to be intentional about is engaging with the profession to ensure that the product that we ’ re producing fits the needs of the profession ...”
safety , facilitate multistate practice and preserve state authority over professional licensing . As of June 2022 , 46 U . S . states have adopted at least one compact , while 36 states have adopted at least three compacts . As Shafer explained in plain terms ,“ You have one license in your home state , and then you can practice in other compact member states without having to go through any extra hoops when you cross that state border .” While providing service in California , for example , a massage therapist who is licensed in Arizona would be able to practice , as long as they practiced in accordance with California ’ s laws and rules . Because the compact is a legal agreement between states to reciprocate acknowledgement of licensure , much like a driver ’ s license , that Arizona massage therapist would have no problem practicing in California .
COMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Addressing the ISPA community and others from around the industry , Shafer shared that the group of industry leaders assembled to develop the compacts ’ framework have now completed several critical steps in the process .
“ We started out with a stakeholder group that was made up of members of the profession that we call the ‘ Technical Assistance Group ’. This was a broader group of stakeholders of about 20 folks . We ’ re talking regulatory board members , administrators , licensees , folks in education — everybody had a seat at the table and created a framework for the compact . [ Using ] that framework , a set of recommendations was then handed off to what we call the ‘ Document Team ’, which took the framework and actually put pen to paper on the compact language itself . So that ’ s where we ’ re at now .”
Shafer went on to explain that the initial draft is now undergoing the “ Stakeholder Review Process ” where the draft is publicly available and open for feedback and public comment . CSG will then take that feedback and work
How to obtain a Multi-state License as a massage therapist under the IMpact framework :
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Licensed massage therapist applies for a “ Multi-state License ” through the Compact Commission ( an administrative body established by the compact to administer the contract ) Compact Commission confirms the therapist meets all eligibility requirements ( see below ) Compact Commission notifies the therapist ’ s home state to run a background check State sends background check results back to the Compact Commission On behalf of all compact member states , the Compact Commission then issues the Multi-state License to the licensed massage therapist Licensed massage therapist can begin practicing in all compact member states with no notification involved
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS : l
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Must have an active , unencumbered license in your home state ( home state must be a member of the compact ) Must have completed at least 625 clock hours of massage therapy education Must have passed a national licensing examination ( such as the MBLEx or similar ) Must not have any felonies within five years , misdemeanors related to the profession within two years , adverse actions on the license within two years or have previously had your license revoked Must not have convictions related to kidnapping , trafficking , smuggling , sexual battery or any other offense designated by admissions
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n PULSE 37