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Senate committee raises minimum massage-therapy education from 500 to 625 hours to match national recommendations
Summary
The committee unanimously advanced a bill increasing the statutory minimum training hours for massage therapists to 625, aligning state requirements with an entry-level analysis and supporting interstate portability and anti-trafficking enforcement goals.
Sen. Steele introduced Senate Bill 221, which raises Georgias statutory minimum education hours for massage therapy from 500 to 625. The sponsor and Patty Glenn of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards told the committee the change aligns Georgia with a national entry-level analysis and improves public safety and professional mobility.
Patty Glenn, director of education and professional mobility for the Federation, warned of a separate federal Department of Education rule change that could eliminate the prior 150% allowance for program hours; raising the state minimum to 625 would preserve Pell Grant eligibility for many school programs and align Georgia with an interstate-compact movement favoring a 625-hour baseline. "This bill would raise Georgia's hours to that 625 hour threshold that aligns with the Entry Level Analysis Project," Glenn said.
Committee members asked about the regulatory and economic impacts, including training costs and workforce mobility. The sponsor said the change supports public safety, raises professional standards, and facilitates interstate practice under a pending compact. After discussion the committee voted by voice to pass the bill unanimously; the measure was reported favorably.
