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Delaware House Bill 277 Aims to Cease New CMT Licenses
Delaware is one of the last states to offer two separate tiers of massage regulation: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT, 500 hours required) and Certified Massage Technician (CMT, 300 hours required). On April 23, Senate Bill 277 (SB 277) was introduced to amend the current Delaware Massage Therapy Practice and cease issuing new CMT licenses after December 31, 2024.
SB 277 Could Elevate the Massage Profession in your State
The passage of SB 277 will ensure that future massage therapy practitioners obtain 500 hours of education and pass a board-approved, psychometrically valid entry-level examination. AMTA fully supports the elimination of a multi-tiered regulatory process. Requiring 500 hours of education for all licensees helps to ensure that massage therapy is practiced safely, ethically, and effectively, benefiting both clients and practitioners alike in a consistent manner. The legislation could help to elevate the massage therapy profession and protect the health and safety of massage consumers in Delaware.
Current CMTs Can Continue to Practice
Current CMTs will be allowed to maintain their certification and right to work under this title, provided they follow all renewal guidelines already in effect. Delaware bill drafters have worked with the massage school that provides the 300 hour CMT program to establish the final date for new CMTs to apply. This final group of CMTs will graduate at the end of August 2024 and will have until December 31, 2024 to obtain a certification from the Board.
We encourage you to reach out to our AMTA Government Relations team with any questions regarding this new legislation. As always, we support our entire massage therapy community.