December 30, 2002
To: All Heath Club Owners/Operator in the State of Maryland
From: Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Re: HOUSE BILL 289- Health Club Exemption Eliminated
Employment of Massage Therapist in Health Clubs
HOUSE BILL 289 became effective October 1, 2001. The new law eliminated the health club exemption which permitted individuals to practice massage therapy in health clubs without certification or registration. The new law makes it mandatory that individuals practicing massage therapy in health clubs must now be certified or registered under the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Please be advised that any practice of massage for compensation in the State of Maryland without a certificate or registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $5,000.00 and up to one-year imprisonment or both. (MD Code Annotated, Health Occupation Article, Section 3-5 A-11 (d))
Any employee that is not certified or registered by the Board must immediately cease and desist from all practice of massage for compensation. To learn more about the Maryland Massage Therapy Regulation, please contact Ms. Emily Jones, Massage Therapy Program Coordinator by calling or visit the web site at mdmassage.org.