Michigan Massage Licensing

Massage Therapists must be licensed with the Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Professions, Board of Massage Therapy; (517) 335-0918.

They define massage as:

“Practice of massage therapy” means the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, andholding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance or restore the health andwell-being of the client. Practice of massage therapy includes complementary methods, including the external applicationof water, heat, cold, lubrication, salt scrubs, body wraps, or other topical preparations; and electromechanical devicesthat mimic or enhance the actions possible by the hands. Practice of massage therapy does not include medical diagnosis;practice of physical therapy; high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust to a joint; electrical stimulation; application ofultrasound; or prescription of medicines.

The following types of therapies are exempt from massage licensing:

The Feldenkrais method.(ii) The Trager approach.(b) The affectation of the human energy system or acupoints or qi meridians of the human body while engagedwithin the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics and as long as those services are notdesignated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. These practices include, but are not limited to, all of thefollowing:(i) Polarity or polarity therapy.(ii) Asian bodywork therapy.(iii) Reiki.(iv) Shiatsu.(c) Reflexology.(d) Structural integration.

Michigan massage licensing PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT)Act 368 of 1978 PART 179A.MASSAGE THERAPY