The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26: Professions and Occupations

Chapter 105: Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers, and Touch Professionals

• Subchapter 001: General Provisions

• § 5401. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (2) “Establishment” means any location:

  (A) where the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork is regularly engaged in; or

  (B) that represents itself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “touch professional,” “bodywork,” “massage,” “massage therapy,” “massage therapist,” “massage practitioner,” “massagist,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” “energy work,” or other words identified by the Director in rules.

  (3) “Practice of massage” and “practice of bodywork” mean offering or engaging in massage or bodywork in exchange for consideration.

  (4)(A) “Massage” and “Bodywork” mean systems of structured touch that are:

  (i)(I) applied to the superficial, soft or deep tissue, muscle, or connective tissue of another person by manual means, including friction, gliding, rocking, tapping, kneading, and nonspecific stretching; or

  (II) designed to affect the energy fields of the body for the purpose of promoting and maintaining health and well-being; and

  (ii) provided to clients in a manner in which the clients have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

  (B) Massage and bodywork may include the use of therapies such as heliotherapy or hydrotherapy; the use of moist, hot, and cold external applications; and the use of oils or other lubricants.

  (C) Neither massage nor bodywork include the diagnosis of illness, disease, impairment, or disability.

  (5) “Massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional” means a person who holds a registration from the Office to practice massage or practice bodywork or both. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)

• § 5402. Prohibitions

  (a) An individual shall not engage in or offer the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork unless the individual is registered with the Office.

  (b) It shall be a violation of this chapter for any individual to engage in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork, or to offer to engage in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork, if the individual’s registration has been suspended or revoked.

  (c) An individual shall not use in connection with the individual’s name any letters, words, titles, or insignia indicating or implying that the individual is offering or engaging in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork, including the terms “massage therapist,” “bodyworker,” or “touch professional,” unless the individual holds a registration in accordance with this chapter. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.)

• § 5403. Unauthorized practice

  Any individual who owns or operates an unregistered establishment or who engages in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork without a registration from the Office shall be subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. Dec. 1, 2026.)

• § 5404. Exemptions

  (a) The following shall not require a registration under this chapter:

  (1) the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork by a student as part of a professional massage or bodywork education program;

  (2) the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork by an apprentice as part of a massage or bodywork apprenticeship; or

  (3) the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork provided to clients in a manner in which the clients do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

  (b) The provisions of this chapter requiring individuals to be registered shall not apply to individuals who engage in or offer the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork in the course of their customary duties as physicians, podiatrists, physician assistants, nurses, including advanced practice registered nurses, osteopaths, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, electrologists, chiropractors, midwives, naturopathic physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or respiratory care practitioners.

  (c) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional from engaging in or offering the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork at a location that is not a registered establishment if:

  (1) the massage therapist and the client agree in advance that the location is acceptable; and

  (2) the location is not an establishment as defined in subdivision 5401(2) of this title.

  (d) Establishment registration is not required for a location where the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork is provided solely by:

  (1) persons exempt from registration; or

  (2) a single massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. Dec. 1, 2026.)

• Subchapter 002: Administration

• § 5411. Duties of the Director

  (a) Generally. The Director shall:

  (1) provide general information to applicants for registration as a massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional;

  (2) receive applications for registration and provide registrations to applicants qualified under this chapter;

  (3) administer fees as established by law;

  (4) refer all disciplinary matters to an administrative law officer;

  (5) explain appeal procedures to applicants and registrants; and

  (6) explain complaint procedures to the public.

  (b) Rules.

  (1) The Director shall adopt rules requiring a massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional to disclose to each new client before the first treatment the following information:

  (A) the professional qualifications and experience of the registrant;

  (B) actions that constitute unprofessional conduct;

  (C) the method for filing a complaint against a registrant; and

  (D) the method for making a consumer inquiry with the Office.

  (2) The Director shall adopt rules regarding the display of:

  (A) the registrations of employed or contracted massage therapists, bodyworkers, or touch professionals at an establishment; and

  (B) information regarding unprofessional conduct and filing complaints with the Office.

  (3) The rules described in this subsection shall include provisions relating to the manner in which the information disclosed shall be distributed or displayed and a requirement that a massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional and the client sign an acknowledgement that the information was disclosed.

  (4) The Director may adopt other rules as necessary to perform the Director’s duties under this chapter.

  (5) The Director may adopt rules limiting the applicability of this chapter as applied to establishments operated within private homes. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)

• § 5412. Advisor appointees

  (a) The Secretary of State shall appoint three advisors of suitable qualifications, as described in this section, to advise the Director on matters relating to the practice of massage and the practice of bodywork.

  (b) The Secretary shall appoint the advisors to serve, at the Secretary’s pleasure, for five-year staggered terms. To stagger the advisors’ terms, the Secretary may initially appoint two of the advisors for less than a five-year term.

  (c) Two of the three advisors shall be massage therapists, bodyworkers, or touch professionals registered under this chapter who have been actively engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork, or both, for the three-year period immediately preceding appointment. These two advisors shall maintain their registrations in this State and be actively engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork, or both during their incumbency.

  (d) Director shall seek the advice of the advisors in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.)

• Subchapter 003: Registrations

• § 5421. Application

  A person who desires to be registered under this chapter shall apply for a registration in the manner specified by the Director, accompanied by payment of the required fee. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.)

• § 5422. Registration by endorsement

  The Director may issue a registration to an individual under this chapter if the individual holds a license, registration, certification, or other authorization to practice massage therapy or bodywork from a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.)

• § 5423. Establishments; designee and inspection

  (a) An establishment shall register with the Office of Professional Regulation. The operation of an establishment without registration shall constitute unauthorized practice under 3 V.S.A. § 127.

  (b) An establishment is responsible for ensuring its lawful operation, regardless of whether the establishment’s owner is on-site or has personal knowledge of its operations. The Office may prosecute an establishment for unprofessional conduct or unauthorized practice occurring at the establishment.

  (c) The Director may require that an application for establishment registration include:

  (1) the management and ownership of the business;

  (2) the name, location, and licensing history of any past or present massage establishment under the same management or ownership;

  (3) the location and ownership of the establishment’s premises;

  (4) proof of business registration with the Secretary of State; and

  (5) other information required by the Director in rule.

  (d) The Director may deny an establishment registration of a location where unprofessional conduct, as defined in subdivision 5427(2) or (3) of this title, has previously occurred, even if under different ownership or management. A denial on this basis shall follow the same procedures as a denial for unprofessional conduct under 3 V.S.A. § 129.

  (e) A person authorized by the Director may enter any establishment for the purpose of inspection. The Director may require an establishment to undergo inspection prior to registration. A fee shall not be charged for any inspection under this subsection. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)

• § 5424. Registration renewal

  (a) A registration under this chapter shall be renewed every two years by submission of a new, completed application and shall be accompanied by payment of the required fee.

  (b) A registration that has lapsed shall be renewed upon payment of the biennial renewal fee and the late renewal penalty. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.)

• § 5425. Fees

  (a) Applicants and persons regulated under this chapter shall pay those fees set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 125(b).

  (b) An establishment where the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork is provided by only two massage therapists, bodyworkers, or touch professionals shall pay reduced fees set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 125(b). (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)

• § 5426. Display of registration

  An establishment must conspicuously display the registrations of:

  (1) the establishment; and

  (2) any massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork in the establishment. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)

• § 5427. Unprofessional conduct

  Unprofessional conduct means the conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a and the following:

  (1) engaging in activities in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2605 (voyeurism);

  (2) engaging with a client in sexual conduct as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2821:

  (A) at an establishment; or

  (B) while engaging in, offering to engage in, or purporting to engage in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork;

  (3) meeting a client at an establishment for the purpose of sexual conduct;

  (4) conviction of a crime committed while engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork;

  (5) performing massage or bodywork that the massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional knows or has reason to know has not been authorized by a client or the client’s legal representative;

  (6) engaging in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public; and

  (7) engaging in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork at an unregistered establishment. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.)