Massage Therapy Regulations and Laws in Kansas
Overview
Kansas is one of the few U.S. states without statewide licensure or registration for massage therapists. Unlike most states that require practitioners to obtain a state-issued license, Kansas currently imposes no uniform educational, examination, or registration requirements at the state level. However, several municipalities have their own local ordinances, and a new bill introduced in 2025 could change the landscape soon. We oppose statewide massage regulations.
Regulatory Authority
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State Level: No dedicated state board or statutory licensure for massage therapy. The Kansas Board of Healing Arts regulates only professions specifically authorized by statute, and massage therapy is not one of them. ksbha.ks.gov
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Local Level: Cities such as Wichita, Manhattan, Andover, and South Hutchinson enforce municipal licensing for both therapists and establishments. Fees, scopes, and requirements vary by locality.
Who Must Be Licensed or Permitted
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Statewide: Currently, no state-level license or registration is required to practice massage therapy anywhere in Kansas.
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Municipal: If you operate in a city with its own ordinance, you must obtain the local massage therapist permit or establishment license. For example:
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Andover: Two-year therapist permit ($75) and business license ($200) andoverks.citycode.net
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South Hutchinson: Requires both an establishment license and therapist license; strict facility and operational rules apply. southhutchks.citycode.net
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Pending Legislation
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Senate Bill 253 (2025): Introduced February 7, 2025, it would establish statewide licensure under a new Board of Massage Therapy within the Board of Healing Arts. Key points include transitional status for current practitioners, 625 hours of training (or equivalent experience), and biennial renewal. American Massage Therapy Association
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Senate Bill 305 (2023): Earlier effort to create a massage therapy board under the Healing Arts umbrella; did not advance but signaled legislative interest. abmp.com
Exemptions
At the state level, since there is no licensure, exemptions are inapplicable. Locally, some city codes exempt:
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Home-based practitioners under certain zoning/home-occupation permits.
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Students/apprentices working under supervision in accredited programs.
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Other health professionals (e.g., physical therapists, chiropractors) providing massage within their scope.
Scope of Practice & Consumer Choice
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High Flexibility: Without a rigid state-defined scope, practitioners can offer a wide array of modalities—including Raynor Massage—without seeking formal scope expansion.
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Informed Consent: Clients should verify local permits and request clear disclosure of practitioner training and insurance.
Costs & Bureaucracy Comparison
| Level | Requirement | Typical Fees | Bureaucratic Burden |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | None | $0 | Minimal—no state paperwork or CE mandates |
| City (e.g., Andover) | Therapist permit; business license | Permit $75; Business $200; Inspection fees | Moderate—application forms, background checks |
| Pending SB 253 | State license & renewal | Estimated $200–$400 initial; biennial renewal; CE requirements | High—state applications, exam, CE reporting |
How This Impacts Health Freedom
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Consumer Access: Kansans currently enjoy broad access to diverse therapies—no state fees or education mandates limit entry for both practitioners and clients.
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Cost Savings: With no state licensing overhead, session rates can remain lower than in strictly regulated states.
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Potential Shift: If SB 253 or similar bills become law, practitioners and consumers may face new costs (exam fees, CE courses) and administrative steps, potentially raising prices and reducing small-scale or mobile services.
Next Steps for Practitioners and Consumers
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Check Local Requirements: Always verify city or county ordinances where you practice or receive treatments.
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Stay Informed on SB 253: Monitor the Kansas Legislature’s progress to prepare for potential statewide licensure changes.
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Verify Credentials: Ask therapists about their training hours, association memberships, and insurance coverage—particularly when seeking specialized modalities like Raynor Massage.
By understanding Kansas’s unique regulatory landscape—absence of state licensure combined with patchwork municipal rules—both practitioners and clients can better navigate health-freedom opportunities and upcoming changes that may affect costs, access, and choice.
