Community News

New Phasing out of CMT’s Legislation

 

Hello everyone,

I hope you are doing well.

For quite a few years now a discussion that keeps coming up on the board is “Why we are still a two-tier system?”. In our research, we learned that Delaware is the last state with two classifications for massage and bodywork professionals. We also learned that Delaware has the LOWEST EDUCATION CREDENTIALS OF ALL 50 STATES FOR A MASSAGE PROFESSIONAL. This led the board to look into the surrounding states and discovered that most states already were or recently transitioned to a one-tier system.

Based on these findings, the AMTA-DE board has determined that a single-tier system is an essential benefit for the industry’s relevance and growth. On behalf of all Delaware massage professionals, we have been working with the Government Relations team from AMTA National, along with our Delaware Lobbyist, as well as school owners to work on change that would do the best for existing certified massage practitioners, students in the program, and the massage industry while raising the industry standard in Delaware. Our first attempt was to have all CMTs grandfathered in as LMTs. Unfortunately, the State of Delaware Massage and Bodywork Board wouldn’t agree to that. Our compromise is that all CMTs and graduates of the CMT program on or before Dec. 31st, 2024 can continue to be CMTs, provided they follow all renewal guidelines already in effect. After Dec.31st, 2024 then the only program offered will be a LMT program.

Our goal is to support CMTs and not negatively affect anyone’s livelihood. A transition to a single-tier system has many benefits for our industry and each professional. A few things to consider:

·         An LMT creates an industry standard and ease with future portability.

·         Credentials that get you a seat at the table with other health care

professionals.

·         Increases your marketability and earning power.

·         Increased education brings a greater ability to treat and help clients. One

of the biggest reasons we get into this profession is to help people.

Knowledge is the power to deliver that help!

There has been talk of a shortage of massage professionals, and that the lack of CMTs will dramatically affect this shortage. For clarification, the shortage of massage professionals is a nationwide problem. Stagnant wages have been a contributing factor. In Delaware, there have been many requests for LMTs from Chiropractor’s offices, PT offices, and by clients who can’t get in with LMTs due to being fully booked. As the massage profession becomes increasingly accepted as complementary and integrated healthcare and more widely known for its overall benefits to health and well-being by the public, we anticipate increased interest in becoming a massage professional. 

 

Senate Bill 277 was introduced on April 23^rd, 2024, and was reported favorably out of the Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee. If you have any questions please email amtadelaware@gmail.com