About the IMpact™
How a shared vision for mobility and public protection became a national movement.

Building the IMpact: Milestones, Momentum & the Road Ahead

The Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) is a cooperative agreement among states that enables licensed massage therapists to practice in IMpact member states with one multistate license — while preserving each state’s practice act and initial licensure process. The timeline below shows how this collaborative vision became a reality.
2020-2021
Vision and Foundation
Where It Began

Since inception, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB®) has supported efforts among member boards to establish compatible requirements and cooperative procedures for the legal regulation of massage therapists to facilitate professional mobility and to simplify and standardize the licensing process.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) launched an initiative to support license portability for military families and mobile professionals. The DoD entered into an agreement with the Council of State Governments (CSG) to facilitate the grant application process and the creation of new occupational licensure compacts.

Aligning with long held goals, the FSMTB applied for the grant and was competitively selected to lead development of the massage therapy compact. The FSMTB provided regulatory expertise, stakeholder coordination, and policy guidance throughout the process.
Creating the Compact

The FSMTB worked with CSG’s National Center for Interstate Compacts to convene the Technical Assistance Group (TAG) — a diverse team of state regulators, massage therapists and educators, industry representatives, employers, and policy experts.
  • Dozens of public meetings, open feedback sessions, and legal reviews shaped the draft language.
  • The compact was written through an extensive stakeholder-informed and consensus-based process from the existing regulations across states and responding to the unique characteristics and needs of the massage therapy profession, keeping public protection at the forefront.
  • The group drew on best practices from more than a dozen other professional licensing compacts.
2021-2022
Collaboration and Development
2022
Public Comment and Finalization
Ensuring Transparency and Consensus

Before adoption, the draft IMpact language was released for nationwide public comment. Input from state boards, professional associations, educators, and therapists helped refine key provisions — including education hours, background checks, and uniform eligibility criteria.

In January 2023, the final version of the Interstate Massage Compact Model Legislation was published — marking the completion of the federally funded development phase.
From Vision to Action

After the compact’s release, the FSMTB assumed full stewardship and funded all legislative and administrative activities to advance adoption nationwide. The FSMTB contracted CSG for legislative support while leading education, outreach, and coordination efforts among regulators and stakeholders.

States began introducing the IMpact legislation to join the compact and help launch the Commission that will oversee its operation.
2023–Present
State-Led Implementation
2023
Nevada joined the IMpact
2024
Ohio joined the IMpact
2025
Arkansas joined the IMpact
2025
Virginia joined the IMpact
2025
Montana joined the IMpact
End of 2025
More states are preparing legislation for 2026 sessions, moving toward the seven-state threshold required to stand up the IMpact Commission.
Today
A Profession United in Purpose
Stronger Together

The IMpact represents more than legislation — it’s a movement to modernize massage therapy, support legitimate professionals, and protect the public. By working together, states are building a stronger, safer, and more mobile future for the profession.
What Happens Next

Once seven states have enacted the compact, they will convene the inaugural meeting of the Interstate Massage Compact Commission — the governing body that will administer rules, manage data sharing, and oversee the new multistate license.

The Commission will:
  • Develop the IMpact’s governing documents and rules.
  • Ensure consistent, transparent rulemaking with public participation.
  • Establish application and renewal processes.
  • Finalize the data systems components for multistate license issuance and verification.
  • Coordinate shared disciplinary and enforcement actions.
Therapists are expected to begin applying for multistate licenses as early as 2027 once operational systems are in place.
The Future 2026–2027
The Commission and Multistate License
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