House Bill 2438 Summary

• Requires massage therapy applicants to submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal background checks for initial licensure.

• Mandates that all massage therapy applicants, licensees, and those seeking license renewal or reinstatement possess a valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the state beginning January 1, 2023.

• Adds the board of massage therapy to the list of agencies authorized to require fingerprint background checks under Arizona's fingerprint clearance card system.

• Modifies the board's powers to require criminal background checks and fingerprinting of licensure applicants to help determine eligibility.

• Exempts the board of massage therapy from standard rulemaking requirements under title 41, chapter 6 for one year after the act's effective date to implement these new fingerprinting provisions.