New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB246: MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE CHANGES
Status: Passed one chamber, February 18, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to occupational licensure; amending and enacting sections of the massage therapy practice act; defining "massage therapy establishment"; requiring licensure of massage therapy establishments; providing a penalty.
From the introduced text, February 3, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE ACT; DEFINING "MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENT"; REQUIRING LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS; PROVIDING A PENALTY. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 61-12C-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1991, Chapter 147, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read: "61-12C-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Massage Therapy Practice B. "continuing education" means courses, seminars, workshops and classes in areas related to the practice of massage therapy, such .233629.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ (2) bodywork; (3) health care; (4) psychology; (5) anatomy and physiology; (6) business; (7) insurance; (8) ethics; (9) professional development; (10) movement therapy; (11) stress management; (12) exempt modalities listed in Subsection C of Section 61-12C-5.1 NMSA 1978; (13) cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid; and (14) complementary alternative medicine modalities determined by the board to be related to the practice of massage therapy; C. "continuing education provider" means: (1) an individual who was an active New Mexico registered independent massage therapy instructor on [the effective date of this 2019 act] February 4, 2019; (2) a massage therapy school regulated by the requisite regulatory agency where the massage therapy school is located; (3) a national or international professional .233629.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = …
Sponsors
- Pat Woods (R, SD-007) · primary sponsor
- Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015)
Latest actions
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:22 N:17
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : SHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 22 yea, 17 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES, LICENSURE
Common questions
- What is SB246?
- SB246 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE CHANGES.
- What does SB246 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to occupational licensure; amending and enacting sections of the massage therapy practice act; defining "massage therapy establishment"; requiring licensure of massage therapy establishments; providing a penalty.
- What is the status of SB246?
- Passed one chamber as of February 18, 2026. Latest action: HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation (February 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB246?
- Pat Woods (R, SD-007), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB246?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=246&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.