MI HB5001

Increases minimum classroom instruction hours for massage therapy programs from 500 to 625 hours for applicants enrolling on or after August 1, 2017, while maintaining the 500-hour requirement for those enrolled before that date.

Requires that classroom instruction for psychomotor domain learning (palpation, hands-on techniques, clinical or lab experiences) be provided in-person or by distance education only, prohibiting other delivery methods for these components.

Permits distance education as a valid form of classroom instruction if it includes regular student-instructor interaction, unique student sign-in identification, timely communication, and grade monitoring systems.

Allows licensure by reciprocity for applicants currently licensed in another state, country, or jurisdiction with substantially equivalent licensing standards, in addition to exam-based licensure pathways.

Effective immediately upon the Governor's approval on December 21, 2016.