Massage Fall 2024 Newsletter

Board of Massage − 2024 Fall Newsletter

Board of Massage
Chimere

Get to Know Your Board

Meet Chimere Figaire-Correa, LMT, 2024-2026 board chair. Read the Q&A here.

Don't Forget to Renew Your License!

It is against the law to practice on an expired license. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to ensure their license is active if they want to continue to practice.  In accordance with WAC 246-12-030, courtesy renewal notices are mailed to the address on file. Failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice does not relieve or exempt the credential renewal requirement. 

Courtesy renewal notices are mailed to the address on file at least six to eight weeks in advance of the expiration date.  However, a practitioner can renew their license as early as 90 days before the expiration date either online, by mail, or by phone.  To avoid a late fee and the risk of practicing with an expired license, you must renew on time.

Once a massage therapy license goes into expired status, it cannot be renewed online, and a late fee will be assessed. A credential status will automatically go into an expired status if the practitioner does not renew on or before the expiration date.

Find more information on the Department of Health’s License Renewal webpage.

Just for Fun

Spock Massage

Massage by the Numbers: 

Want to know more about where you and your practice fit into the big picture?  Learn more about decision makers, stakeholders, and who-does-what in the wonderful world of massage by clicking here.

Health Enforcement and Licensing Modernization Solution (HELMS) Update

With the successful launch of HELMS Lite, we excitedly announce the next phase of the HELMS project: HELMS Credentialing. This release is set for December 9, 2024, and will include all professional and facility credentials that exist in ILRS today. With this new phase of work, here is what you can expect from the HELMS team in the upcoming months:

1. Enhanced Communications: Communication efforts will increase to ensure everyone is informed and engaged throughout the transition.

2. Direct Engagement: We will continue to engage with impacted partners to ensure alignment and address needs.

3.  Engaging Business Readiness Activities: We will conduct a series of activities to prepare our teams and partners for the upcoming changes.

4.  Comprehensive Training Activities: We will launch a comprehensive training program with online tutorials, workshops, and hands-on simulations. We will share details once we finalize the plan with the training committee.

The transition to HELMS Credentialing is a significant milestone in our journey. We look forward to our continued collaboration with HSQA Offices and Partner Commissions to ensure its success.

For more information, please visit our website, sign-up for Gov Delivery Bulletins (Subscription topic: HELMS) or email us at HELMS@doh.wa.gov.

Know the Rules text over map of Washington state


Click here for a link to the current rules in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Comments or Questions for the Board?

If you have questions or comments for the Board of Massage, please either (1) offer them during the public comment session at a scheduled public business meeting or (2) direct them to board staff at: massage.therapy@doh.wa.gov. Please DO NOT attempt to communicate directly with board members. Individual board members cannot speak on behalf of the Massage Board or Department of Health concerning decisions made regarding the massage profession.

Budget
Massage Therapy
Complaints

Frequently Looked For:

Stay informed

To stay up-to-date and receive email notifications about rulemaking and other board activities, subscribe and encourage others to subscribe to the Health Systems Quality Assurance, Health Professions, Massage List at GovDelivery.

Check Out HEAL-WA

HEAL-WA is a portal to online resources related to the medical professions in Washington state. It is funded by a portion of your license fees and is free to access anytime. HEAL-WA provides online access to journal articles, databases, and other tools needed for evidence-based practice and research.

We'd Love To Hear
From You

Are there any topics or questions you'd like to see addressed in the newsletter?  Let us know at massage.therapy@doh.wa.gov

Board Members

Chair
Chimere Figaire-Correa, LMT

Vice Chair
Lynna Fuller, LMT

 Member
Heidi Williams, LMT

 Member
Whitney Smith

 Massage Educator
 Sherise Gueck, LMT

 

Board Staff and
Support

Executive Director
U. James Chaney

Program Manager
Devin Brooks

Program Associate   Jonathan Chamrad

Administrative Assistant
Alyssa Brazil

 

Department of Health
PO Box 47852
Olympia, WA
98504-7852

Customer Service
360-236-4700

Board Website

Contact the Board

 

Useful Resources

Massage Therapy Website
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
AMTA – Washington Chapter
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Washington State Massage Therapy Association
Look up a healthcare provider
See a list of sanctioned providers

 

     DOH 676-140
(Fall/Winter 2024)