The AMTA Nevada Chapter has reviewed the proposed legislation and can summarize the effects of the proposed regulation on its professional members [within the jurisdiction of SNHD] – following are some main points of the regulation:

• Affects Reflexologists, [Independent/Outcall] Massage Therapists, Colon Hydrotherapists, and Massage Establishments.
• In addition to all Massage Establishments, requires outcall “licensed massage therapists” and “licensed reflexologists” to hold a “massage establishment Health Permit”
• Attempts to regulate Massage Therapists [and Massage Establishments] in the same manner as is currently legislated through NRS.640c and NSBMT NACs (staff on-site & equipment/safety/cleanliness requirements, fees & fines, and some professional standards)
• States that each day after the first 90 that the regulations are in effect and an outcall massage therapist or massage establishment is not SNHD-permitted is a separate violation.
• Cites “fees” for initial assessment, renewal (every XX year), and fines associated with violations and that non-compliance will predicate a cease-and-desist and/or revocation/re-application for massage/reflexology establishment health permit.
• Requires “20 foot-candles” of light in a therapy room, 300% more light than in the NSBMT NACs of “5 foot-candles” of light in a therapy room.
• Section 8.1.2 makes the “Responsible Person in charge” of a Massage or Reflexology Establishment responsible for undefined “other requirements” in addition to other regulatory body’s requirements for professional and legal practice of massage & reflexology.  Unresolved violations of keeping all permits, licenses, or credentials for everyone at the Establishment gives the SNHD the authority to shut down the Establishment until violations are resolved with each/every “affected agency of jurisdiction”.
• New Build-outs/Construction of Establishments will have another jurisdiction (the SNHD) to apply through, propagating more [undetermined] fees and additional time frames in which initial assessments and inspections are subject to.
• Does not outline a Schedule of Fees and does describe innumerable instances/conditions in which fees will be applied.

The AMTA-NV Chapter supports the current state licensure regulation of massage therapists in Nevada through the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists authorized and empowered by our State Legislature and Governor-appointed state massage board members affecting professionals throughout the state of Nevada AND local business license departments that regulate the taxation and safe practice of massage therapy through its application processes.  It is understood that the nature of the proposed regulation by the additional entity of the SNHD is redundant, provincial, and a duplicate credential that will be required for massage professionals to practice. 

Additionally, any verbiage in the proposed SNHD regulation regarding “Massage Therapy” may be removed to regulate Reflexology and Colon Hydrotherapy, so only one regulatory agency will have the authority to manage a profession/business category regarding massage therapy and the promotion of public health and safety.

For Concerned Individuals:

The AMTA Nevada Chapter strongly encourages its members, massage professionals, and the general public to evaluate the proposed impact of the additional regulation on the profession, practice, or patronage of massage therapy and RESPOND in an appropriate manner and timely fashion to the SNHD.

Responding to this proposed regulation is TIME-SENSITIVE – the last day that written opinions will be accepted for the record is February 2^nd, 2012.

Contact information and a sample opinion letter are below.

The Workshops, at which public opinion will be HEARD, are in Las Vegas (Jan 30 & 31), Laughlin (Feb 1), and Mesquite (Feb 2):  Appear and be ready to speak your opinion according to the Workshop Agenda (below).

Resources for proposed SNHD regulation:

1. PDF – public workshop announcement: http://amta-nv.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/AGENDA-Massage-Therapy-Workshops-01-30-2012.pdf
2. PDF – public notice of proposed regulation:  http://amta-nv.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Public-Notice-Workshop-Massage-Regs-BOH-meeting-02-23-2012.pdf
3. Link to online version of proposed regulatory rules:  http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/eh/Massage-draft-regs-1-13-12.pdf
4. Sample Letter of Opposition: (download)
5. Opinion Letter of the AMTA/Nevada Chapter (download)

Southern Nevada Health District contact:

Glenn D Savage, REHS, Environmental Health Director, PO Box 3902, Las Vegas NV 89127

If you have questions regarding this post, the proposed SNHD regulation, or the AMTA Nevada chapter, please contact Government Relations: David Otto at DavidOtto@amta-nv.org

This morning I drew my usual Oracle card to see what the day would bring.   The quote that follows is a message for us all from the ancients “you are entering into a time of profound quickening and transformation.  You have come to the edge of what you have known yourself to be.  Cauac beckons you to step into a fire that changes every level of your being, even the underlying structures of your life.  Step into the unknown – your metamorphosis has begun!”

So many of us have doubts about the future.  What will life be like in the next few years and how will we continue to be successful in such doubtful times.  And yet the future holds the keys to our success as well.

In order to find your true path, this card is telling me that you must be willing to look fully at what you are doing right now and what you really want to be doing in the future.  What are you good at?  What do you love to do?  What are your weaknesses?

Take a good look at all of these.  Study them in a way that helps to fulfill your dreams.  Why did you decide to be a massage therapist in the first place?  What type of massage are you uniquely good at?  How can you become that person and how can you market that person?

Interesting thoughts.  Great questions.  What do you think?  How would you proceed to step into the unknown to start your metamorphosis?  Remembering that at the end of your journey a beautiful butterfly is born.

Happy Holidays and many wishes for a successful new year.

Billie Shea, AMTA NV Chapter president

The AMTA NV chapter is morphing.  Yep, that’s right folks: we are taking a good look at what we have done in the past and how we can make it better for our members in the future.  This blog is one step in that direction.  We encourage your participation and look forward to some great ideas coming from our members.

Many of us are business owners and learned how to run our business through a lot of hard work. What you didn’t know about your business, you went out and learned.  No one taught you how to get and keep good clients, or how to budget , or how to market, or how to beat the loneliness of trying to stay current on the 1001 things you need to be successful.

We hope to use this blog as a means to help out and support those efforts.  By coming together as a family of professionals, we grow in strength and get the support and information that we need to be successful.   We learn from each other and develop an information stream that keeps everyone connected to the community and changes that might affect our futures.

And that is not all….this blog will be a great venue to discuss our roles as professionals, promote our members successes and help to educate the public about the benefits of massage.  We have plans to revamp the way we offer education and to promote volunteerism in Nevada from our members…and to develop a stronger sense of community.   Over the next few weeks, you will be reading about some of these plans.  Check back often and consider getting involved.  We could really use the help.

We need you.  All of you and then some.  There are just over 4000 licensees in Nevada and only less than 500 of them are AMTA members.  We would like to see more people finding good reasons to join AMTA. We also know that we have to provide those reasons to join.  As a group, we are discussing how to make this chapter a valuable resource to you and to your success.   That is how we promote membership.    Help us out by mentioning to your friends what this organization means to you.  And if it doesn’t mean anything to you, let us know so we can take steps to improve.  But most of all, please promote membership.  Only through a strong membership can we afford to create opportunities for all of us to grow in our profession.

I look forward to meeting many of you at our next chapter meeting and at the annual meeting in June.

Happy Holidays to you all and our wishes for peace and security for you and your families.

Billie Shea, President

AMTA NV CHAPTER

Get to know the candidates by linking up with them on facebook, linked-in or twitter. Ask them questions or read what someone else asked. Find out what their vision and goals are for the future of AMTA and the massage profession.  If the candidate established any social media sites, you can access the information at the bottom of each candidate’s bio information page found on the AMTA official election website

Your voice counts in this organization. Make a decision to support one of our core values, ‘to be a membership driven organization’ and vote. That is what ‘member driven’ means. Join in, become a more informed voter and cast your vote by December 1.

2011 Election Timeline

November 1-5: A link to the online ballot will be sent via electronic mail to all voting members.

December 1: Completed ballots are due.

January 1: Results will be announced no later than January 1 on the AMTA website.

March 1: New officers assume office.

Please contact Gail Friedman at 877-905-2700 x168 or gfriedman@amtamassage.org if you have questions.

Have you considered participating with fellow members at the National level? You can choose to run for an elected office for the National Board of Directors or Commission on Candidacy. Serving at the national level is a great way to meet some wonderful, dedicated people in the profession.

You may find criteria for Board or Commission on Candidacy positions by visiting our National Elections website.  You may also be interested in knowing that some elected positions involve less of a time commitment than other positions.

You may request a candidate application and must complete the application process by August 1.  The process includes completing three online courses: About Non-Profit Associations, Responsibilities and Communications throughout AMTA and Risk Management for Association.

Once the courses are completed, you will have access to the online application packet. After the Commission on Candidacy has reviewed the application and determined that you meet the requirements of the position you are seeking, your candidate’s profile will be posted live on AMTA’s official election website and your choice of using social media as a candidate can begin.

If you are interested in serving, please contact the Commission on Candidacy via Gail Friedman, AMTA staff liaison to the Commission on Candidacy.

The Commission on Candidacy and Commissioner of Elections welcomes your questions, comments, and ideas.

Chris Rider, Commissioner of Elections

Barb Lis, Commission on Candidacy Chair

2011 Commissioners: Michael Blackmore, Christopher Deery, Jennifer C. Irving, Lucia A. Kaestner, and Shari Mirgon

You can view a PowerPoint Show of the agenda with a brief description of the meeting.  There are a few photos from the meeting, here!