Arkansas SB168: TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS

What the bill says

An act to be entitled an act to establish a state examination for licensure of massage therapists; and for other purposes. subtitle to establish a state examination for licensure of massage therapists.

From the introduced text:

An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 86, Subchapter 3, is amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 17-86-315. State examination for licensure. (a)(1) The Department of Health shall administer a state examination for licensure as a massage therapist that shall be administered at the time and place designated by the department. (2) The state examination under this section is an additional option to licensure in this state and does not replace or negate a national examination. (3) The state examination under this section shall be offered as an optional pathway to licensure and shall only be offered to unlicensed graduates of an approved massage therapy school or students enrolled in a massage therapy apprenticeship program in this state who have completed the educational requirements under § 17-86-306(e). (b)(1) The state examination shall be a one hundred (100) question examination and be proportionate to educational requirements and classroom hours based on the Massage Therapy Act, § 17-86-101 et seq. (2) The state examination shall include: *JMB278* 04-09-2025 11:25:21 JMB278 As Engrossed: H4/9/25 SB168 …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Terry Rice (R, 5) · primary sponsor
• Karilyn Brown (R, 67)

Latest actions

1. May 5, 2025: Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment.
2. April 15, 2025: Read the third time and failed.
3. April 9, 2025: REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4. April 9, 2025: Amendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
5. April 9, 2025: Placed on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
6. April 8, 2025: Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
7. February 12, 2025: Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
8. February 12, 2025: RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
9. February 12, 2025: Ordered immediately transmitted to the House.
10. February 12, 2025: EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

Votes

• House Roll Call #1343 (April 15, 2025): 12 yea, 75 nay, failed
• Senate Roll Call #1233 (April 14, 2025): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #933 (April 3, 2025): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #182 (February 12, 2025): 27 yea, 5 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB168?

SB168 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS.

What does SB168 do?

In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to establish a state examination for licensure of massage therapists; and for other purposes. subtitle to establish a state examination for licensure of massage therapists.

What is the status of SB168?

Failed as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. (May 5, 2025).

Who sponsored SB168?

Terry Rice (R, 5), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB168?

On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=SB168