• New York has some of the strictest massage laws in the nation.Lower body massage as part of a full body Thai massage. image by Deborah Benbrook from Fotolia.com
  
  New York was one of the first states to enact legislation governing the practice of massage therapy. The state demands a higher number of hours for earning a massage therapy license than any other state. While the laws can sometimes seem restrictive, they benefit massage therapists by granting them status and recognition for undergoing serious training. The laws also benefit the public by creating a separation between prostitution and therapeutic massage.
  
  

Legal Definitions

• Even the use of massage devices is governed by New York state law.massage image by Anthony CALVO from Fotolia.com
  
  Article 155 of New York's massage therapy laws defines massage as, "engaging in applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure of the human body by means of stroking, kneading, tapping and vibrating with the hands or vibrators for the purpose of improving muscle tone and circulation." The law goes on to state that anyone using the words massage or massage therapist must be licensed by the state in order to advertise, offer services or conduct massage. The laws are administered and enforced by the New York State board for massage therapy. The board is mainly made up of massage therapists and massage teachers.
  
  

Education and Licensing

• New York massage therapists must be properly dressed on the job.massage und kosmetik image by fuxart from Fotolia.com
  
  New York requires massage therapists to attend 1,000 hours of training in a program approved by the state board (or equivalent) before applying for a license to practice massage. At least 500 of the 1,000 hours must be training in "subjects satisfactory to the department," according to section 7804 of article 155 in New York law. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, permanent residents or citizens of the United States, "be of good moral character as determined by the department," and pay $150 to the department to take the examination required for the license.
  
  

Professional Conduct

• Massage therapists may not use pictures of naked or undraped human forms in their advertising. The law further identifies massage of genitals and massage of undraped clients as "immoral conduct." Massage therapists must also dress conservatively or risk being accused of unprofessional conduct.