Focus on New Laws: New Registration System for Massage Therapists

A new state registration system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists will require cities to phase out individual practitioner licensing by July 1, 2028, while preserving local business licensing authority.

Chapter 115, signed by the governor in May 2026, includes several health occupation changes. Among them, Article 3 establishes a new statewide registration framework for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists.

The law creates a voluntary registration process administered by the Minnesota Department of Health. This new option establishes clearer professional standards and introduces state oversight. The legislative changes feature a phased implementation timeline stretching through 2027 and 2028.

Background on the 2026 law changes

The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) has a long-standing policy supporting statewide regulations, provided they do not impact a city’s ability to regulate massage therapy businesses. Previous legislative attempts to require full state licensure for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists had been unsuccessful.

In 2024, an important law change gave local jurisdictions the authority to conduct federal background checks on massage therapy business license applicants. Several massage therapy trade associations also support establishing a statewide framework that sets clear professional standards, promotes public safety, and creates uniform enforcement measures.  

What the new law does

• Establishes voluntary registration for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists administered by the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Creates a Massage Therapy Advisory Council to advise the commissioner on establishing standards of practice, a code of ethics, and educational requirements.
• Restricts the use of specific titles such as “registered massage therapist,” “RMT,” “registered Asian bodywork therapist,” and “RABT” — strictly to those registered with the state.
• Preempts municipal licensing and regulation of individual massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists.

While the 2026 law stopped short of mandatory licensure, the changes will assist cities in meeting their goals of:

• Establishing stronger legitimacy for providers and businesses.
• Reestablishing the state as the primary domain for the regulation of individual therapists.
• Creating a uniform regulatory structure for therapists that mirrors other state health occupations.
• Helping cities address criminal activity, including prostitution and sex trafficking, associated with massage therapy establishments.
• Allowing cities to continue to regulate such establishments.
• Protecting the public from injury and other conditions that may result in harm.

Implementation timeline

The law follows a phased implementation timeline:

• Jan. 1, 2027: The commissioner of health must make initial appointments to the Massage Therapy Advisory Council.
• May 15, 2027: The Massage Therapy Advisory Council must hold its first meeting by this date.
• Jan. 1, 2028: Voluntary state registration of massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists begins; members of the advisory council must be registered; and only registered therapists may use protected titles and terms like “registered massage therapist,” “RMT,” “registered Asian bodywork therapist,” “RABT,” or any other term or title that may lead the public to believe the person is registered with the state.
• July 1, 2028: Cities may no longer license or regulate individual massage or Asian bodywork therapists.

Impact on cities

Beginning July 1, 2028, this legislation preempts local licensure and regulation of individual massage therapists or Asian bodywork therapists by a municipality. However, cities can continue requiring massage therapy establishments to obtain a business license or permit and may continue conducting background checks on unregistered massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy business owners.

Nothing in the new law precludes a city from requiring registration with the state of all therapists working in a business as a condition of obtaining a municipal business license or permit to operate massage therapy establishments.

Cities should review their current ordinances and policies to ensure alignment with the new law.

Cities currently licensing massage therapists or Asian bodyworks therapists may continue to do so until July 1, 2028.

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