HB 1606 Summary

• Establishes the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Board as an independent regulatory body, replacing oversight by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

• Creates a five-member Advisory Board on Massage Therapy consisting of three licensed massage therapists with 3+ years Oklahoma experience, one massage therapy school administrator/faculty member, and one citizen member, appointed by the Governor for four-year terms.

• Sets licensing requirements including minimum 500 hours of formal education, passage of a nationally recognized competency examination, proof of liability insurance, and criminal background disclosure for applicants after May 1, 2017.

• Establishes license fees of $25.00 between the effective date and May 1, 2017, then $50.00 annually thereafter, with a 30-day grace period for renewal and ability to restore inactive licenses within one year upon completion of continuing education.

• Effective November 1, 2025.