MD HB42

Removes the October 31, 2026 deadline that would have required all massage therapy practitioners to be licensed, allowing registered practitioners to continue practicing in non-health care settings indefinitely

Establishes new pathways for out-of-state massage therapy graduates to qualify for licensure, including acceptance of programs approved by other states' higher education commissions and requiring at least 750 contact hours of education

Allows out-of-state applicants who fall short of the 750 contact hour requirement to supplement hours through Board-approved programs, continuing education, or documented evidence of at least 1,000 licensed hands-on massage therapy hours within the preceding 2 years

Requires criminal history records checks for practitioners seeking to reactivate a license or registration from inactive status

Requires registered massage practitioners who fail to reinstate or reactivate their registration within 5 years to meet current licensing requirements rather than registration requirements