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United States Animal Massage: Laws by State:
Before registering for a
US class or if you are a
US resident intending to take a class and use the skills for a business, we request that you read the individual state law pertaining to the state which you intend to work. You may reside in a state and choose to work in a neighboring state which allows you to practice within the parameters of that state law. Once you read the particular law you will be asked to check a box when registering online, stating you have read the information before you are allowed to register for the class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at:
office@equinology.com
.
While every effort has been made to make sure these are correct
, these versions may not be the current law. Court decisions amend them, and a host of other factors come into play when interpreting them. If you read most any practice act, unless it specifically allows massage, most can be interpreted in either direction depending on who is arguing the case.
You will find more details for each state after the short version listed below.
ALABAMA
:
ALLOWED
ALASKA
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
ARIZONA
:
VET ONLY
ARKANSAS
:
VET ONLY
CALIFORNIA
:
ALLOWED
COLORADO
:
GRAY AREA New Feb. 2007 bill in house
CONNECTICUT
:
ALLOWED
DELAWARE
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
FLORIDA
:
ALLOWED
GEORGIA
:
ALLOWED
HAWAII
:
VET OR SUPERVISION
IDAHO
:
ALLOWED
ILLINOIS
:
ALLOWED
INDIANA
:
ALLOWED
IOWA
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
KANSAS
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
KENTUCKY
:
GRAY AREA
LOUISIANA
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
MAINE
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Maryland
:
ALLOWED
Massachusetts
:
VET ONLY
Michigan
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
Minnesota
:
ALLOWED
Mississippi
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Missouri
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Montana
:
ALLOWED
NEBRASKA
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
nevada
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
NEW HAMPSHIRE
:
ALLOWED
New
Jersey:
GRAY AREA
New Mexico
:
Vet Only or direct supervision
New york
:
Vet Only Or Vet Tech with Vet supervision
North Carolina
:
Vet Only or direct supervision
North Dakota
:
allowed
Ohio
:
Vet Only or direct supervision effective OCT 2007
Oklahoma
:
allowed
Oregon
:
ALLOWED WITH VET REFERRAL
Pennsylvania
:
VET ONLY
Puerto Rico
:
gray area
Rhode
Island
:
Vet Only or direct supervision
South Carolina
:
Vet Only or direct supervision
South Dakota
:
allowed
Tennessee
:
allowed
Texas
:
allowed
Utah
:
ALLOWED
Vermont
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
VIRGIN
ISLANDS
:
ALLOWED
Virginia
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Washington
:
still waiting for final details from department of Health: Old law still implemented until fees and examinations are determined
West Virginia
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
Wisconsin
:
GRAY AREA
Wyoming
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
ALABAMA
:
ALLOWED
Must be
first licensed as a human qualified massage therapist: 500 hours prior to 1998, 650 hours after December 31, 1997 but before January 1, 2002. In addition:(10) To permit animal massage by a massage therapist under the direction of prescription of a licensed veterinarian, the applicant must graduate from a nationally approved program and complete a minimum of
100 hours of postgraduate training and education in animal anatomy, pathology, and physiology for the type of animal on which the therapist will perform therapeutic massage.
Current veterinary laws of practice:
“a.To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental condition; including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthesia, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique on any animal including but not limited to acupuncture, dentistry, animal psychology, animal chiropractic, theriogenology, surgery, including cosmetic surgery, any manual, mechanical, biological, or chemical procedure for testing for pregnancy or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render service or recommendations with regard to any of the above.”
ALASKA
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Response from Vet Board:
No specific laws or response from board at this time. Snail mail sent for follow up response July 2003.
Two bills have been attempted.
HB 372 was a pro choice that failed. SB 321 was similar to the AVMA Model, but failed.
A body worker did write to the board and was told only a vet or vet tech directly under the supervision may provide massage.
ARIZONA
:
VET ONLY
Update on law:
From the Arizona Alliance for Animal Owners’ Rights: According to the Arizona Revised Statute covering the definition of veterinary medicine, any non-vet who administers any method, practice, or manipulation for any type of animal condition who is paid for this service is practicing veterinary medicine with-out a license.
A bill restoring owner’s rights lost by one vote recently. The state alliance is working on resubmitting another bill.
Response from Vet Board:
No specific laws in the response from the vet board.
Vet board stated they were unable to respond to our clarification request
No human massage laws.
Current veterinary laws of practice
:
“
. A person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who, within this state:
Prescribes or administers any drug, medicine, treatment, method or practice, performs any operation or manipulation, or applies any apparatus or appliance for the cure, amelioration, correction or modification of any animal condition, disease, deformity, defect, wound or injury for hire, fee, compensation or reward that is directly or indirectly promised, offered, expected, received or accepted.”
ARKANSAS
:
VET ONLY
Vet Board Response 2003:
The vet board still underlines the word “relief” as the practice of veterinary medicine.
Vet Board Response 2001
:
Massage therapy on non-human animals must be performed by a veterinarian licensed in the State of
Arkansas.
The vet board feels that massage provides “relief”. Relief falls under the definition of the practice of veterinary medicine.
CALIFORNIA
:
ALLOWED
There are no current regulations on animal massage. However, musculoskeletal manipulation in not allowed by layperson.
Bill Introduced:
A bill regarding training and guidelines for equine body workers AB 2042 was introduced in 1999. It passed the first 3 hearings but was not presented for the final hearing.
COLORADO
:
GRAY AREA
New HB 07-1295 currently in house which would allow massage.
Due to conflicting reports, a follow up letter was sent to the board June 13, 2006.
Follow up response June 2006.
“This Board has never formally considered whether or not animal massage is the practice of veterinary medicine, so the question hasn't really been dealt with to date”
No regulation in animal massage.
Vet Board Response 2003:
E-mail message from Stephanie Gowins for the Vet Board dated April 25, 2003, she writes:
“Currently the Colorado State Veterinary Practice Act only addresses the practice of veterinarians. Unlicensed persons practicing veterinary medicine are required to do so only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
The Board looks at each instance individually to determine whether or not something is the practice of vet med and therefore requires veterinary supervision (it depends on what is being done to the animal, if a diagnosis is being made, etc.)”
CONNECTICUT
:
ALLOWED
Myotherapy Bill in Legislature:
House Bill No. 6683.
PASSED.
“This bill only applied to myofascial trigger point therapy on animals, and not any other type of massage. The bill allows for practice of this type of massage if the person had the stipulated education and experience prior to the bill going into effect.
House Bill No. 6683
Public Act No. 03-277
AN ACT CONCERNING MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY ON ANIMALS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 20-197 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2003):
No person shall practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry until he has obtained a license as provided in section 20-199. A person shall be construed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry, within the meaning of this chapter, who holds himself out as being able to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition, or who either offers or undertakes, by any means or methods, to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition. The euthanizing of animals in accordance with applicable state and federal drug laws by the Connecticut Humane Society
,
[and
] the floating of teeth in horses by persons experienced in that practice
and the performance of myofascial trigger point therapy by persons experienced in that practice shall not be deemed to be the practice of veterinary medicine. For the purposes of this section, "floating teeth" means using hand-held rasps to reduce or eliminate sharp or uneven edges on a horse's upper and lower molars to avoid injury to the tongue and cheeks and to improve chewing food, but does not include treating decay, tumors or extracting teeth.
For purposes of this section, "myofascial trigger point therapy" means the use of specific palpation, compression, stretching and corrective exercise for promoting optimum athleticism, and "persons experienced in that practice" means a person who, prior to the effective date of this section, has attended a minimum of two hundred hours of classroom, lecture and hands-on practice in myofascial trigger point therapy, including animal musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics, theory and application of animal myofascial trigger point techniques, factors that habituate a presenting condition and corrective exercise.
Approved July 9, 2003
“This bill only applied to myofascial trigger point therapy on animals, and not any other type of massage. The bill allows for practice of this type of massage if the person had the stipulated education and experience prior to the bill going into effect.
House Bill No. 6683
Public Act No. 03-277
AN ACT CONCERNING MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY ON ANIMALS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 20-197 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2003):
No person shall practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry until he has obtained a license as provided in section 20-199. A person shall be construed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry, within the meaning of this chapter, who holds himself out as being able to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition, or who either offers or undertakes, by any means or methods, to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury, deformity or physical condition. The euthanizing of animals in accordance with applicable state and federal drug laws by the Connecticut Humane Society
,
[and
] the floating of teeth in horses by persons experienced in that practice
and the performance of myofascial trigger point therapy by persons experienced in that practice shall not be deemed to be the practice of veterinary medicine. For the purposes of this section, "floating teeth" means using hand-held rasps to reduce or eliminate sharp or uneven edges on a horse's upper and lower molars to avoid injury to the tongue and cheeks and to improve chewing food, but does not include treating decay, tumors or extracting teeth.
For purposes of this section, "myofascial trigger point therapy" means the use of specific palpation, compression, stretching and corrective exercise for promoting optimum athleticism, and "persons experienced in that practice" means a person who, prior to the effective date of this section, has attended a minimum of two hundred hours of classroom, lecture and hands-on practice in myofascial trigger point therapy, including animal musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics, theory and application of animal myofascial trigger point techniques, factors that habituate a presenting condition and corrective exercise.
Approved July 9, 2003
DELAWARE
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Response from Human Massage Board:
E-mail message dated April 21, 2003 from Susan Miccio, Administrative Specialist, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Examining Board of Physical Therapists, Board of Massage and Bodywork, Board of Veterinary Medicine:
“Massage on animals falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Veterinary Medicine in DE.
Vet practice act available on www.professionallicensing.state.de.us.
Click on Vet Med and then on
DelawareCode.
Massage is not mentioned.
Refer to definition of practice of veterinary medicine.
No plans to address massage for animals at this time.”
Vet Board Response 2001:
In a previous letter from the board, they wrote:
“To the extent that equine massage falls within the definition of “practice of veterinary medicine” in 24 Del. C. §3302 (6), a practitioner of equine massage must be a licensed veterinarian, as defined in 24 Del. C. §3302 (8), unless an exception listed in 24 Del. C. §3303 applies.”
§3303 License requirements and exceptions. (10), No person may practice veterinary medicine in the State who is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the Board. This chapter
shall not be construed to prohibit:
(10) Any person from performing support activities under the direct supervision,
as determined by regulations adopted by the Board, of a Delaware-licensed veterinarian. The support activities shall not include diagnosing, prescribing, inducing anesthesia, performing surgery or other support activities as defined in regulations adopted by the Board.
§3302 (6) "Practice of veterinary medicine" shall mean:
a. To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental conditions, including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, for testing for pregnancy or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render advice or recommendation with regard to any of the above;
FLORIDA
: ALLOWED
June 9, 2006 update:
New law passed and signed June 9, 2006: H641
Animal Service Providers; provides that ch. 474, F.S., re veterinary
medical practice, does not apply to part-time worker or independent
contractor who is hired by owner to provide certain services; provides
for retroactive effect.
Response from Vet Board:
No specific laws or response from board at this time. Snail mail sent for follow up response July 2003.
Vet Board View from their FVB Fall 2000 newsletter:
“A licensed massage therapist is only authorized pursuant to the Section 480.033, F. S. to manipulate the superficial tissues of the human body under the authority of his/her license.
A massage therapist cannot hold himself or herself out to the public as and animal massage therapist, and may not perform massage therapy on an animal independently, but may only do so under the direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian.”
GEORGIA
:
ALLOWED
Excerpt from HB 347
43-50-32. 43-50-44.
This article shall not be construed to prohibit:
(17) A person performing soft tissue animal massage or other forms of soft tissue animal manipulation;
Response from Vet Board:
In response to a snail mail sent for follow up response July 2003. Received July 22, 2003 from Anita O. Martin, executive Director of the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
“…the board does not issue legal advice or opinions, or offer legal interpretation of the Georgia Laws and Rules. You can find the official Laws and Rules on out web site…”
HAWAII
:
VET OR SUPERVISION
Vet Board Response:
“The veterinary medicine licensing regulations do not specifically address equine massage, The definition to the “Practice of Veterinary Medicine” means the diagnosis of treatment for the prevention, cure, or relief of, or giving of advice concerning, a disease, pain, injury, deformity, or other physical condition of an animal, or a characteristic of an animal for cosmetic or utility purposes. It includes medical, surgical and dental care of animals. This definition sufficiently broad to provide only licensed veterinarians the ability to practice on animals
, including massage. However, the veterinary licensing regulation
allows for those under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to be able to provide limited services on animals including massage therapy.”
IDAHO
:
ALLOWED
Response from Vet Board:
In a letter from Sheila Jenson, MA for the Idaho State Board of Veterinary Medicine dated, July 28,2003:
“Massage is not a licensed profession in the state of
Idaho; therefore, equine massage is allowed as long as the individual does not diagnose, prescribe, manipulate or adjust.”
ILLINOIS
:
ALLOWED
As of January 1, 2004, with the legislative indoctrination of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgical Act of 2004, Senate Bill 386, all practitioners dealing with animals who are not licensed professional veterinarians must present their respective clients with a Disclosure Statement, prior to performing any practices.
Veterinary Laws of Practice Amended:
House Amendment No. 3
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 1994 to January 1, 2014. Effective immediately.
Bill SB0386
Replaces the exemption for an owner of a companion animal caring or treating his or her animal with an exemption for an owner of an animal, or an agent of the owner acting with the owner\'s approval, in caring for, training, or treating an animal belonging to the owner, so long as that individual or agent does not represent himself or herself as a veterinarian or use any title associated with the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery or diagnose, prescribe drugs, or perform surgery. Adds an exemption for an individual providing equine dentistry services requested by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this State, an owner, or an owner\'s agent.
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 1994. Changes the short title of the Act to the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions, exemptions from the application of the Act, unlawful practice, qualifications, applicants for licensure from non-approved veterinary schools, temporary permits, expiration and renewal of a license, and disciplinary actions. Changes references to veterinary technicians to certified veterinary technicians. Changes references to approved programs of veterinary medicine and surgery to accredited college of veterinary medicine. Adds failing to report a case of suspected aggravated cruelty, torture, or animal fighting to the grounds for discipline under the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act exempts a licensee from the mandatory reporting requirements regarding suspected acts of aggravated cruelty, torture, and animal fighting. Makes other changes. Amends various other Acts to change references to the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 1994 to the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to provide for the repeal of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 on January 1, 2014. Effective December 31, 2003.
Exemptions to the Practice of Veterinary Medicine:
§115/4 (7): “Members or other licensed professions or any other individuals when called for consultation and assistance by a veterinarian licensed in the State of
Illinois and who act under the supervision, direction and control of the veterinarian, as further defined by rule of the Department.”
INDIANA
:
ALLOWED
Vet Board Response:
In a letter dated March 27, 2000, Cindy Vaught wrote:
“…the statues or rules do not specifically pertain to the practice of equine massage.”
Current veterinary laws of practice:
"Practice of veterinary medicine" means:
(3) diagnosing a specific disease or injury, or identifying and
describing a disease process of animals, or performing any procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility, or infertility upon animals;
(4)
prescribing a drug, medicine, appliance or application, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of bodily injury or disease of animals;
(5) performing a surgical or dental operation upon an animal; or
(6) administering a drug, medicine, appliance, application, or
treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture,
or bodily injury or disease of animals, except where such drug, medicine, appliance, application, or treatment is administered at the direction and under the direct supervision of a veterinarian licensed under this chapter.
"
Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, acupuncture,
and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
IOWA
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
Response from Vet Board:
No specific laws or response from board at this time. Snail mail sent for follow up response July 2003.
Animal Massage is not regulated by the human massage board.
KANSAS
:
NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD
Response from Vet Board:
No specific laws or response from board at this time. Snail mail sent for follow up response July 2003.
KENTUCKY
:
GRAY AREA
Vet Board Response:
From a letter dated March 13, 2000 written by Joel Neaveill, Deputy Director of the Agriculture department. He says he spoke with the vet board and this was the response.
“Under current law there is no specific regulation of equine massage…
…nothing in the Kentucky Revised Statute that specifically addressed the practice of equine massage. However, the practice could fall under the general provisions of regulations of general practice of Veterinarians.”
Current Laws of Practice:
(5) "Practice of veterinary medicine" means:
(a) To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent: animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions, including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, and the use of any manual or mechanical procedure for testing for pregnancy, or for correcting sterility or infertility, or to render advice or recommendation with regard to any of the above;
(b) To engage in veterinary surgery, obstetrics, embryo transfer, dentistry, acupuncture, manipulation, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine and the prescribing, administering, or dispensing of drugs and medications for veterinary purposes, in accordance with the applicable federal statutes and regulations governing controlled prescription and legend drugs;
LOUISIANA
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Vet Board Response via their lawyer:
In a letter dated August 11, 2003 from Michael Tomino, Jr.:
“You may also inquire as to whether or not the provision of rehabilitation techniques in including sports massage, can lawfully be performed by an employee under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian pursuant to Rule 702. (A2)”
Treatment is being performed on the order of prescription of the licensed, supervising veterinarian,
except that no unlicensed person may perform….diagnosis….
Therefore… the provision of rehabilitation techniques, including sports massage, on an animal is clearly included within the scope of veterinary medicine which is regulated by the Board”….Such a violations would be investigated and prosecuted by the Board of the fullest extent of the law.”
Response from the Massage Board:
E-mail dated: 04/21/03, M. Gunther, LBMT, wrote:
“In
Louisiana a person must have a license for massage therapy in order to practice animal massage. There are no separate laws or sections within our law addressing this practice.”
Current veterinary laws of practice:
“Practice of veterinary medicine” means: to diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions; including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, and the use of any manual or mechanical procedure for testing pregnancy or for correcting sterility, or infertility, or to render advice recommendation with regard to any of the above.
MAINE
:
VET ONLY OR DIRECT SUPERVISION
Vet Board Response (April 24, 2003):
E-mail from Geraldine Betts:
“Your message to Ms. Elaine Thibodeau inquiring about the practice of veterinary medicine was forwarded to me for reply. Please be advised that
the practice of veterinary medicine includes massage therapy - 32 MRSA §4853 (7).
Current veterinary laws of practice:
A. The diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, relief or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury or other physical or mental condition, including the prescription or administration of a drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic or other imaging, therapeutic or diagnostic technique or nutritional substance or technique on, for or to any animal, including, but not limited to, acupuncture, dentistry, homeopathic or chiropractic procedures, physical or
massage therapy, surgery including cosmetic surgery, implanting of microchips or similar devices or any manual, mechanical, biological or chemical procedure used for pregnancy testing or correcting sterility or infertility; [1997, c. 246, §4 (rpr).]
Failed Bill:
HP1145
: An Act Regarding Equine Massage Therapy. Attempted in 1999.
Prior Vet Board Response:
(March 17, 2000):
E-mail from Anne Head:
“Currently there is no license category for an individual who is trained to perform equine massage. Proposed legislature to create such a license category was introduced in the Maine State Legislature in the 118th Legislature but was not passed. For your information, the Board of Veterinary Medicine opposed the legislature because equine massage is viewed by the board as a component of veterinary practice, and thus, can be practiced only by licensed veterinarians or by unlicensed individuals working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.”
Maryland
:
ALLOWED
Response from Vet Board:
In a letter dated September 3, 2003: It stated the Board does not have a problem with the practice of horse massage. There are no revisions planned for the practice act.
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