Clarksville, Indiana

by Robin Shope L.M.T.
(Clarksville, Indiana)

I have been practicing in Indiana since 2001. When I first moved here I wanted to open my own practice. I soon found out it would have been extremely difficult. There were no state regulations in place. Each county established what they required for a Therapist to practice. One of the many requirements in my county was that I had to eligible for national certification and adhere to AMTA guidelines and standards. It didn't matter that I already had 850 hours of training and had been in practice since 1997. I quickly gave up the fight and went to work at a Salon/Day-Spa. Since they already had passed regulation standards for their county (different than my own)It was easier.
I also went to work in Kentucky and in 2005 they passed state licensing regulations and grandfathered me in.
Now the bill has been passed in Indiana for licensing. I am so glad!It is about time! It looks like the regulations will allow me to be grandfathered in as I was for Kentucky because I have more than the 5oo hour requirement .I also still hold both my Kentucky and New York state licenses. Another Indiana regulation, having a license in good standing in another state.
The Indiana professional Licensing Agency regulates the massage Therapy licensing. It is a Certification rather than a license and is renewed every 4 years. ( I wish it were a license but better than nothing).
Now if you are not licensed in another state you have to prove your training and they also want to see proof that you have worked as a Massage Therapist in Indiana after June 1st. 2004 for at least 3 consecutive years.
there are other requirements for new students and others. it would be wise to visit the web site and read the entire document for your self and see which situation you fit in exactly.
The reason that Gov. Mitch Daniels passed the bill regulating massage Therapy is because of the use of massage as a cover for the prostitution rings. Personally I am happy that we finally agree going to have some regulation in place. I have practiced in both regulated and unregulated states. I feel that having licensing/ Certification gives us more credibility and gives us something to point to in helping educate the public about our profession.