All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 2
UtahH.B. 2782025 General SessionHouseWALLET
Massage Therapy Amendments
Sponsored By: Norman K Thurston (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BusinessCommerce and TradeConsumer ProtectionHealth and Human ServicesHealth Care ProfessionalsCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeSexual OffensesMassage TherapistsOccupational and Professional Licensing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 6 costs, 8 mixed.
Massage workers face licensing and training requirements
Beginning October 1, 2025, Utah requires a license to provide, advertise, or receive payment for massage services, unless exempt. Paid services advertised as massage fall within the rules even without physical contact. Massage therapist applicants must pass an exam and complete approved schooling, equivalent education and training, or an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship requires at least 1,000 supervised hours. Each path also requires the training specified by the law and division rules.
Massage applicants face fingerprint background checks
Massage license applicants must be at least 18, submit fingerprints, consent to state and federal checks, and disclose requested criminal history. Applicants pay fingerprint-processing fees, and new licenses remain conditional until screening is complete. Inaccurate criminal-history disclosure triggers automatic revocation after notice, with a right to a hearing afterward. The licensing division can review specified Utah criminal records, including some dismissed charges and charges without a known outcome. It cannot share the resulting criminal-history information outside the division.
Massage assistant pathways end in 2029
Massage assistant applicants must pass a required exam and qualify through one of three paths. One path requires 300 education and training hours while enrolled in massage school. Another requires 150 directly supervised and 150 indirectly supervised hours as an assistant-in-training, plus required training. The third uses a massage safety permit and an exam covering basic massage subjects and applicable laws. Permit applicants must be at least 18, apply, pay a department-set fee, and complete lessons on boundaries, draping, consent, and medical history. On July 1, 2029, the law repeals assistant and assistant-in-training statuses and their related application provisions.
Massage violations carry substantial administrative fines
Beginning October 1, 2025, specified individual and establishment violations can draw administrative fines and additional or alternative rule-based penalties. Penalties can reach $10,000 per single violation or $2,000 per day for an ongoing violation. The division must issue citations within one year after a violation is reported; recipients have 20 calendar days after service to request a hearing. These penalties require an uncontested citation, settlement, or formal finding of a violation. A person or owner convicted of the same violation cannot also receive an administrative fine for that incident. The division can issue cease-and-desist orders and take license or registration action for ignoring final citations. Collected fines and penalties go to the Commerce Service Account.
Massage clients get clear touching protections
Massage providers must be licensed or exempt and stay within their permitted scope of work. Providers cannot touch a client's genitals or anus, including with an instrument or device. Breast massage for a female client requires her request and written consent before each procedure. A parent or legal guardian must sign the consent form for a minor female client.
Massage businesses face stricter operating rules
Massage establishments cannot operate without valid registration or allow unlicensed, nonexempt providers. They cannot house or shelter people, allow sexual acts or arrangements, or display adult merchandise or sexually oriented advertising. They must immediately report specified disorderly conduct, sexual acts, and other criminal activity to local police. Refusing inspection or identification, concealing people, and trying to evade inspection are unlawful. Establishments must also follow employee and client recordkeeping, health, sanitation, facility, safe-equipment, client-monitoring, and applicable local requirements. Operating without required business registration counts as unprofessional conduct.
Massage businesses must register and renew
Each nonexempt massage establishment needs its own registration, including separate businesses at the same address. Registrations cannot be transferred, and owners are responsible for establishment activities. Businesses must use licensed or exempt providers and keep employment or contract records available for inspection. The owner, lessee, or legal possessor must notify the division within 30 days after a sale, sublease, or possession change. Registrations generally renew every two years, although the division can shift that cycle by up to one year. Renewal requires an approved application and department-set fee; registration otherwise expires on its stated expiration date.
Massage owners face screening and registration bans
Owners must apply, pay a fee, document business and facility compliance and possession rights, and attest against listed illegal activities. Multiple owners must choose one owner to register the establishment; the division can request proof of continuing possession rights. Screening covers people holding at least 10% of stock or more than $25,000 of fair market value. It also covers interests above 10% of profits, proceeds, or capital gains, governing-body members, elected officers, and general managers. Minor trust beneficiaries are exempt from the specified checks and personal-information requirements. Utah must deny registration when an owner has a covered sexual-offense conviction or pending charge, or another crime designated by rule. Denial also applies to locations with registrations revoked or surrendered for cause within two years, owners with chapter licenses or registrations suspended or revoked within two years, and businesses advertising sexual services.
Massage workers face supervision and safety rules
Assistant-in-training and apprentice applicants must show they have the required supervision. Assistants-in-training generally need direct supervision, but may complete 150 hours under indirect supervision. Massage assistants can provide limited massage without supervision after 300 indirectly supervised hours; licensed massage therapists can work without supervision. Supervisors need at least 3,000 hours of experience and may oversee six people, including no more than four apprentices or assistants-in-training. Apprentices follow supervision rules set by the division. Professional rules also require proper supervision, safe equipment, client monitoring, required business licenses, and compliance with health codes. Practitioners cannot prescribe or administer medicine or work beyond their skills or permitted scope.
Massage practice locations face limits and exemptions
Providers who are not sole practitioners must work at registered establishments, out-call locations, or locations exempt from registration. Sole practitioners can use out-call locations or property they own, rent, or lease. Home practice is allowed only when the sole practitioner does not employ or contract with another licensed individual. Hospitals, medical clinics, physician offices, physical therapy facilities, and chiropractic offices are exempt from establishment registration. Athletic and school facilities qualify when massage relates to athletic-team employment. A sole practitioner renting or leasing only to another sole practitioner is also exempt when the tenant meets the law's licensing and rental-document requirements; rules can exempt additional facilities.
Massage clients get provider and complaint information
Before first providing massage to a client, the provider must obtain a completed, signed intake form. Before scheduling or agreement, clients must receive the provider's first name, last initial, and license type. During services, providers must display their full name and license type. Providers who reasonably fear for their safety can request that displays use only their first name, last initial, and license type. Establishments must post registration, provider licenses, required resources, license-verification notices, and instructions for requesting provider information and reporting complaints. Establishments using assistants-in-training, assistants, or apprentices must also post a notice that some services are provided by those workers.
Practitioner landlords gain limited liability protection
Beginning October 1, 2025, a sole practitioner renting space to another sole practitioner has protection from liability for the tenant's actions. The tenant must be a Utah-licensed massage therapist in good standing when the rental or lease begins. The landlord must obtain a signed statement that their only business arrangement is the rental or lease. On request, the landlord must give the division the tenant's license, signed statement, and rental agreement.
Massage insurance coverage remains optional
This law does not require insurers or other third-party payors to cover or reimburse massage services. Insurance carriers can still choose to offer coverage. Clients must check their plan's terms to learn whether it pays for massage.
Massage licenses have firm renewal deadlines
Massage licenses generally renew every two years. The division can shorten or extend the cycle by up to one year. Apprentice licenses expire 24 months after issuance; assistant-in-training licenses expire after six months. Those training licenses can be renewed or extended only when hardship or an uncontrollable event prevented completion. Any extension must match the delay and have the supervisor's written consent.
Visiting massage providers get limited exemptions
Qualified visitors can provide massage without a Utah license for up to 30 days for presentations, disaster response, or licensed-provider consultations. They need a valid credential from another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country. Visitors from U.S. jurisdictions without massage regulation can instead use certification from a nationally recognized massage therapy organization. Exempt providers cannot claim Utah massage assistant, apprentice, or licensed massage therapist titles. The state division alone licenses and registers massage providers; local governments can regulate establishment operations. Local rules governing massage practice must be at least as strict as state law and cannot require background checks.
Massage inspections require access and privacy safeguards
Beginning October 1, 2025, Utah inspectors can enter massage establishments and examine or copy relevant records and materials. Owners or managers must provide access to all areas, staff, and requested records. Inspectors must identify themselves, request the establishment registration, and explain the inspection's purpose. They must allow anyone reasonably expected to be undressed time to dress before entering the room. On request, inspectors must provide their legal authority and the penalty for refusing inspection.
Utah can suspend massage operations quickly
Beginning October 1, 2025, Utah can suspend a massage license or establishment registration without prior notice in specified cases. This authority covers a pattern of credible facts showing attempted operation of a prostitution enterprise, or involvement in human trafficking. The trafficking authority applies even without a separate violation of another law, rule, or code. The division must hold a hearing within 15 days after a suspension without notice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Norman K Thurston
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Evan J. Vickers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 75 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
Senate Comm - Motion to Recommend Failed
Yes: 2 • No: 2
House vote • 2/21/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025House/ to Governor
3/13/2025HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2025HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2025HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2025Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2025House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2025HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ substituted
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ circled
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2025SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ substituted
3/4/2025SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2025
Substitute #4
3/4/2025
Substitute #3
3/3/2025
Substitute #2
2/27/2025
Substitute #1
2/13/2025
Introduced
1/20/2025