ID S1295

Establishes the Idaho State Board of Massage Therapy within the Department of Self-Governing Agencies to regulate and license massage therapists, consisting of five members (four licensed therapists and one public member).

Requires massage therapists to obtain state licensure before practicing for compensation, with applicants needing a high school diploma, minimum 500 hours of supervised classroom and clinic work, and passage of a nationally recognized competency examination.

Exempts certain practitioners from licensure requirements, including students in board-approved programs, federally employed persons, out-of-state consultants, and practitioners using specific methods (Feldenkrais, Trager, acupressure, Reiki, shiatsu, structural integration) who do not advertise as massage therapists.

Prohibits massage therapists from diagnosing injuries or diseases, performing chiropractic adjustments, providing therapeutic exercise, or dispensing pharmaceuticals.

Allows existing practitioners until July 1, 2014 to obtain licensure through alternative pathways based on hours of training and years of practice experience, and preempts local governments from establishing separate licensing requirements effective July 1, 2013.