The General Assembly acknowledges that the practice of massage therapy is a therapeutic health care service delivered by health care professionals that affects the public health, safety, and welfare of Georgians. Massage therapists must have a knowledge of anatomy and physiology and an understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of the tissue being treated and the total function of the body. Massage is therapeutic, and regulations are necessary to protect the public from unqualified practitioners. It is in the interest of the public to set standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for those who seek to practice massage therapy; to promote high standards of professional performance for those licensed to practice massage therapy; and to protect the public from unprofessional conduct by persons and entities licensed to practice or teach massage therapy.
History. Code 1981, § 43-24A-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 2005, p. 1251, § 1/SB 110; Ga. L. 2019, p. 591, § 1/HB 242.
The 2019 amendment, effective May 6, 2019, in the first sentence, substituted “is a therapeutic health care service delivered by health care professionals that affects” for “affects” in the middle and added “of Georgians” at the end; inserted a comma near the beginning of the third sentence; and inserted “and entities” and “or teach” near the end of the fourth sentence.
Structure Georgia Code
Title 43 - Professions and Businesses
Chapter 24A - Massage Therapy Practice
Article 1 - General Provisions
§ 43-24A-2. Legislative Findings and Intent
§ 43-24A-4. Georgia Board of Massage Therapy; Creation; Members; Terms; Reimbursement
§ 43-24A-5. Qualifications of Board Members; Removal
§ 43-24A-6. Meetings of the Board; Officers and Committees
§ 43-24A-7. Powers of the Board
§ 43-24A-8. Licensure of Massage Therapists; Application and Requirements
§ 43-24A-9. Provisional Permits
§ 43-24A-10. Applications Under Oath
§ 43-24A-11. Licensing Examinations
§ 43-24A-13. License by Endorsement
§ 43-24A-16. Practice of Massage Therapy Without a License; Injunctions
§ 43-24A-17. Disciplinary Action
§ 43-24A-18. Administrative Procedures
§ 43-24A-20. Continuing Education Requirements
§ 43-24A-21. Proceedings for a Restraining Order, Injunction, or Writ of Mandamus