Do you live or work in Greenwood IN or
have a local ordinance regarding registration of massage therapists?
Dear Member,
It has been brought to our attention that Greenwood Indiana has laws on the books that are embarrassing to our profession, a violation of patient confidentiality, and ignorant to what we do as professionals. Over this past weekend a copy of the ordinance was posted on Facebook. Because the chapter does not know who drives to Greenwood to work or maybe you live in a town with similar rules this letter is going to everyone in our chapter.
One of AMTA's Strategic Plan Goals is to help unify our country with fair and consistent regulation of massage therapy, this includes the local government level. I contacted National when I read the Facebook post and saw the actual statute for that city to ask if they can help.
A city/county therapist ordinance cannot supercede IC-25-21.8 The entity that feels regulation is necessary can update their regulations stating that any person doing massage therapy must be licensed under IC 25-21.8.
This is a reminder that in Indiana if you call yourself a massage therapist you have to be certified by the state and use CMT or MT. When rules are promulgated in the next year for the new statute the title will change to LMT. We are still certified by the state and all rules and laws are active.
The business zoning laws help protect our profession and the general public The zoning laws that Greenwood and maybe other cities have should not imply that massage therapy is entertainment and are written within our scope of practice and standards of care. Business zoning laws are not written in our statute but you can go before the board and educate them who a massage therapist is, our training/schooling, our law, the definition, Massage as an integrative -and pain management- therapy, research, plus anything else you can add.
Have your clients use their voice to speak about healing environment, confidentiality, and more. Talk to medical professionals that you network with. MD's, DO's, DC's, PT's, Hospitals, and others. The National office will help local issues but first, we need to find out who is affected by regulations that are obsolete.

Please email indiana@amtamassage.org and we will connect you with the appropriate help.
The Value and Efficacy of Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy in Pain Management
Indiana Code IC 25-21.8, the law that governs massage therapy and the massage therapy PLA board was signed into law in April 2017 and became effective July 1, 2017. Below is the section of Indiana Code that applies to ordinances. The first one, 8-1, refers to the therapist; the second one, 8-2, applies to local businesses:

IC 25-21.8-8 Chapter 8. Preemption of Local Ordinances, Resolutions, Rules, and Policies
25-21.8-8-1 State regulation of massage therapy
25-21.8-8-2 Local regulation of zoning and business licenses pertaining to massage therapy

IC 25-21.8-8-1 State regulation of massage therapy
Sec. 1. This article supersedes any: (1) ordinance; (2) resolution; (3) rule; or (4) policy; that has the force of law adopted by a municipality, county, or other governmental unit relating to the licensure, certification, or registration of massage therapists. As added by P.L.267-2017, SEC.24.

IC 25-21.8-8-2 Local regulation of zoning and business licenses pertaining to massage therapy
Sec. 2. This article does not affect any local ordinance, resolution, rule, or policy that has the force of law relating to: (1) zoning; or (2) business licenses; adopted by a municipality, county, or other governmental unit and pertaining to massage therapists. As added by P.L.267-2017, SEC.24. 
Thank you for your loyalty and for your valuable time. AMTA is the most trusted member organization for massage therapists where the members have a voice.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Pucka
Chapter President