01/26/2026
Hello Vermont colleagues, clients & friends
As many of you may know. Maya Devra and I work as massage therapists here in Vermont and we could use your help. In that time, I have been working with our state chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association in hopes to get licensing implemented in state. Currently Vermont only has registration for its massage therapists, which means that anyone who chooses to go into massage therapy may not have the proper education, training, and/or background checks.
The Vermont chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association is working on a bill, H.623https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0623/H-0623%20As%20Introduced.pdf which would license Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy Establishments in Vermont (currently, Massage Therapists are regulated by registration/a registry). We need your help in getting the bill passed this year. Note that, for currently practicing Massage Therapists, H.623 allows for the opportunity to be deemed “licensed” based on practice experience (“grandfathering” or “legacy” clause).
If you live in the towns of the Representatives on the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee (where the bill is assigned), would you be willing to send a quick e-mail?
Please forward to others (colleagues, clients, friends, etc.) who you know who are supportive of licensure of Massage Therapists.
Below are talking points for outreach to Representatives, as well as the list of contact information. In short, our message is – Please take up and pass H.623, Licensure of Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy Establishments
NOTE: THIS IS TIME SENSITVE AND WE ARE TRYING TO CONTACT THE REPRESENTATIVES BY WEDNESDAY MORNING
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Talking points you can use (choose a couple of points and put in your own words)
*45 states license massage therapists – and many states also license establishments. Vermont is the only state that simply requires registration, a very low level of professional regulation which allows for anyone to register – even if they have no education, training, or would not pass a background check.
*Establishing licensure for both individual practitioners and establishments would prevent unlawful and illicit conduct by individual practitioners and establishments, while offering important health safeguards for Vermont consumers.
*Licensure ensures that consumers can confidently receive massage therapy from qualified professionals who meet established standards of education, training, and competency.
*Massage therapy is widely recognized as a beneficial healthcare service and an effective approach to pain management. It should be practiced by trained professionals.
*Licensure would establish a clear scope of practice and require standardized education, training, and continuing education.
*Requiring licensure would expand access to care for Veterans. The Veterans Administration engages licensed massage therapists to provide care for veterans.
*Currently, there is an effort nationwide to develop an interstate massage therapy compact. Without licensure, Vermont cannot participate in the compact.
*Vermont is the only state on the East Coast without licensure. As the only New England state without licensure, it is an open invitation to anyone to come to Vermont to set up illicit businesses or engage in illicit activities..
*Over the past several years, Vermont law enforcement, prosecutors and OPR, have investigated and prosecuted numerous types of serious criminal cases involving massage therapists and establishments that emphasize the need for the highest level of public protection that OPR can provide – licensure.
*Most Vermonters believe massage therapists are licensed, with education, training, and background checks.
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Committee to contact
Rep. Matthew Birong, Chair
Addison-3 (Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Panton, Waltham, New Haven, Addison)
mbirong@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Lisa Hango, Vice Chair
Franklin-5 (Berkshire, Highgate, Franklin, Richford)
LHango@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Chea Waters Evans, Ranking Member
Chittenden-5 (Charlotte, Hinesburg)
cevans@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Lucy Boyden
Lamoille-3 (Cambridge, Waterville)
lboyden@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. VL Coffin IV
Windsor-2 (Cavendish, Baltimore, Weathersfield,
vlcoffin@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Philip Jay Hooper
Orange-Washington-Addison (Randolph, Granville, Roxbury, Brookfield, Raintree)
JHooper@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Robert Hooper
Chittenden-18 (Burlington)
rhooper@leg.state.vt.us
(802) 363-5842
Rep. Michael Morgan
Grand Isle-Chittenden (Milton, Alburgh, Isle La Motte, North Hero, South Hero, Grand Isle)
mmorgan@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Kate Nugent
Chittenden-10 (South Burlington)
knugent@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Sandra "Sandy" Pinsonault
Bennington-Rutland (Dorset, Danby, Mount Tabor, Peru, Landgrove)
spinsonault@leg.state.vt.us
Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone
Chittenden-14 (Burlington)
mstone@leg.state.vt.us
Thank you for your assistance
Maya & Hercules
A Holistic Balance
