Kansas Massage Therapists – What You Should Know About Licensing Laws
Massage therapy is a specialty just like any other profession. In Kansas, a license to practice as a massage therapist is not required. Recent proposed legislation to require massage therapists to obtain a license has failed. However, many cities in Kansas do require that massage therapists have a license in order to offer massage therapy services to clients. As such, if you are a Kansas massage therapist, you should consider the importance of having a license, regardless of the fact that Kansas does not require you to have one.
Massage therapy may seem like a practice that is not likely to harm a client. Many chiropractors, nurses, and other medical professionals provide some form of massage therapy as part of their treatment of patients. Thus, the state of Kansas does not require massage therapists to be licensed. However, having a massage therapy license is still essential to representing yourself as a legitimate professional for many reasons, including, but certainly not limited to, the following:
- Having a license shows clients that you have received sufficient education and training, and therefore are skilled in your profession;
- Having a license protects you from accusations that you are an unlicensed and unskilled practicing massage therapist; and
- Many cities in the state of Kansas require that you have a massage therapy license.
Even though massage therapy is a career field that does not require extensive education as do other professions, massage therapy is still a service that is offered to individuals, and massage therapists have a responsibility to provide services without harming their clients. Without a massage therapy license or certificate, you put yourself at risk for being held liable for offering services negligently and causing a client to suffer injuries.
While Kansas does not require that massage therapists be licensed, massage therapists are still regulated by the court system, in that injured clients may pursue a cause of action for negligence against a massage therapist who has caused harm. This is not a desirable way for massage therapists to be regulated as lawsuits can be long, stressful and may result in loss of employment. Having licensure requirements would enable the massage therapy profession to expand and become more specialized. If licensure is required, then massage therapists are more likely to receive more intensive education and training, and this makes the profession more reputable throughout the state of Kansas. Until the law changes, there may be massage therapists out there who are providing clients with inadequate and negligent services. As such, obtaining a massage therapy license is a good way to help legitimize your profession to clients.
Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you are a licensed Kansas massage therapist, and you are facing the potential loss of your license from your city’s licensing board, it is important that you discuss your situation with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney right away. While the state of Kansas is not in charge of regulating your license, you still need to ensure you are complying with all rules and regulations required by the city you work in. Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a seasoned Kansas Professional Licensing Defense Lawyer who devotes her career to helping Kansas professionals fight to keep their professional licenses. As a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas, Danielle Sanger has seen your situation from the other side, and can use this unique experience to provide you with the representation you deserve. Danielle Sanger will advocate on your behalf to help you retain your massage therapy license. To schedule your free consultation with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353.