Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on November 14, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Indiana Government Center-South, 402 West Washington Street, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Room W064, Indianapolis, Indiana, the State Board of Massage Therapy will hold a public hearing to adopt rules establishing definitions; education, examination, and certification requirements; certification renewal requirements; and standards for the competent practice of massage therapy.

The proposed rule will impose costs on small businesses under IC 4-22-2.1-5; however, this rule will result in an insignificant fiscal impact on the regulated entities. IC 25-21.8 (P.L.200-2007) mandates the board to promulgate rules establishing definitions; education, examination, and certification requirements; certification renewal requirements; and standards for the competent practice of massage therapy. The rule requires applicants to pass a board approved examination. Most applicants will be grandfathered into certification and will not be required to take an examination; therefore, the cost to regulated persons is expected to be minimal. The rule also establishes a record keeping requirement for small businesses; however, that cost is expected to be insignificant as well. The rule requires certificate holders to maintain client files and business records for at least four years. The Board considered data obtained from IPLA for the cost of the operation of the Board. The Board also considered data gathered from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the American Medical Massage Association (AMMA), and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), as well as the massage therapy regulatory bodies in the states of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W072 and Legislative Services Agency, One North Capitol, Suite 325, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.