The Balanced Body-Spring 2026 Edition

May 2

The Balanced Body

Spring 2026 Edition

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh energy. And that spirit is alive throughout our AMTA Pennsylvania Chapter. As we step into this season, I find myself reflecting on the strength of our community and the meaningful connections that continue to shape who we are.

This is an especially exciting time for our chapter, as we enter election month. I am truly looking forward to welcoming new volunteers who are ready to share their talents, ideas, and passion for our profession. Serving this chapter is a rewarding experience, and I encourage anyone considering getting involved to take that next step.

I also want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our incredible volunteer team. Over the past year, their dedication has helped us grow in meaningful ways. From hosting virtual meetups that keep us connected across distances to launching our new website, amtapa.org, Our volunteer committees are energized and ready to do even more. All of these accomplishments are a direct reflection of their commitment to this community. I am so proud of what we are building together.

As we look ahead, I am especially excited for our Annual Meeting in May. It will be a wonderful opportunity to come together, connect in person, and continue strengthening the relationships that make our chapter so special. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Thank you for being part of this growing, supportive community. The future of our chapter is bright, and it is because of each of you.

With appreciation,

Tanya Seiler, LMT

President, AMTA PA Chapter 

2026 AMTA-PA Annual Conference and Meeting

The Central Hotel and Conference Center Harrisburg, PA

May 29 - 31, 2026

Join us for the 2026 AMTA Pennsylvania Annual Conference and Meeting! Get ready for 3 inspiring days of education, connection, and fun at the Best Western Premier Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg, PA

The potential to earn all of your CEs in one weekend with early registration.

Lunch is included for attendees on Sunday.

Dessert Social on Friday evening.

Registration Rates

$375 – Professional AMTA Member

$300 – Graduate AMTA Member*

$100 - Student Member**

$495 – Non-Member

*A Graduate AMTA Member is a newly licensed massage therapist within their first year as an LMT who holds an active AMTA Graduate Membership.

**Per the PA State Board of Massage Therapy, Student Members are not permitted to participate in hands-on continuing education classes unless those classes are conducted under the umbrella of their massage school. Student Members are welcome and encouraged to attend lecture-based classes, the Friday evening Dessert Social, and the Sunday Annual Meeting and Lunch. If you’re unsure of your membership status, please reach out. We’re happy to assist.

Deadline to register is May 10, 2026. Click Here to Register Now

Educational Offerings

Friday, May 29, 2026

Morning Session Options

8:30 am - 10:30 am

2 CE - Injury Prevention and Effective Practices - Self Care for the Massage Professional with Carrie Ann Wiedemann, LMT
2 CE - Certified Mandated Reporter Training with Rhonda Hendrickson. COO

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

4 CE - Getting Comfortable Working with the Shoulder Girdle with Scott Raymond, LMT

Mid Morning Session Options

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

2 CE- Certified Mandated Reporter Training with Rhonda Hendrickson, COO

10:30 am - 12:30 pm [break] 2 pm - 6 pm

6 CE - Ethics for Massage Therapists with Ariel Hubbard, LMT

Afternoon Session Options

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

4 CE - The Iliopsoas Complex with Scott Raymond, LMT
4 CE - Ethics for Massage Therapy: Understanding Issues Between Massage Therapists and Clients with Mark Capriotti, LMT 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Saturday, May 30, 2026

All Day Option

8:30 am - 12:30 pm (break) 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

8 CE - Fundamentals of Neuromuscular Therapy with Mark Capriotti, LMT

Morning Session Options

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

4 CE - Massage for Anxiety with Ariel Hubbard, LMT
4 CE - Massage for Dysfunctional Breathing with Scott Raymond, LMT

Afternoon Session Options

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

4 CE - Massage for Depression with Ariel Hubbard, LMT
4 CE - Getting Comfortable Working the Anterior Neck with Scott Raymond, LMT

Sunday, May 31, 2026

All Day Session Options

8:30 am - 12:30 pm [break] 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

8 CE - Intermediate Neuromuscular Therapy with Mark Capriotti, LMT
8 CE -Reflexology in the Egyptian Method with Ariel Hubbard, LMT
8 CE -Getting Comfortable with TMJ Dysfunction with Scott Raymond, LMT

Click Here to Learn More

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Questions

email: Pennsylvania@amtamassage.org

Phone: (570) 507-5720

Happy Spring fellow therapists!!

The Assembly of Delegates Advisory Committee is currently accepting submissions for 2026 Discussion Topic proposals.

AMTA is not accepting Proposed Ideas for Position Statements (PIPS) this year.

Please submit Discussion Topic proposals by May 20 for consideration for the 2026 Assembly of Delegates meeting agenda. Please visit amtamassage.org for more info.

Kelly Givens, LMT

Happy Spring AMTA PA,

Spring brings with it new beginnings and possibilities and your government relations team is following that seasonal energy. We are in the process of adding more information to our government relations drop down tab on our new AMTA-PA website, which is very exciting. Stay tuned for updates on what is happening in our state, calls to action should the need arise, and upcoming events related to government relations.

I thought I would start with updates from the last Pennsylvania State Massage Board meeting which occurred on 3/31/2026. The next board meeting is 6/16/26 at 10:30, If you go to the resources tab on the amtapa.org web site under state requirements, you will find access to the PA board website and all information about our State licensing board and the zoom link for upcoming meetings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` The biggest news is the proposal to increase all fees in the 2029 cycle. The following

fiscal presentation was presented by Taylor Koch, Division of Fiscal Management

The board is averaging 8,800 licensees
Next renewal period is January 2027
FY22-23 brought in $1.61 million
FY24-25 brought in $1.65 million
87% of revenue comes from renewals
7% of revenue comes from applications
FY22-23 expenditures were $1.62 million
FY24-25 expenditures projected to be between $2.3-$2.9 million
Projection is based on licensee modernization project costs that will hit the board in the next few months.
Board has a continued projected negative revenue balance
Recommends holding off on fee increases until 2029; at that point the new fees would go into effect.

Tom Davis has returned as PA massage board counsel and introduced his replacement, Addie Ableson, as new regulatory counsel. The following is the report from Tom Davis:

Regulatory report

Proposed 16a-722 child abuse regulation – final form regulation is complete, but still must go through internal approval, The final form regulation might be published in the next few months.

Fee regulations

The package that the board approved in February was disapproved by the Policy Office as the new fee package that was presented today was in the works.

The new fee package that was presented today:

Current renewal fee is $175, proposing a onetime 40% increase, which would come into effect for the Feb 2029 cycle for an increase from $175 to $245, then in Feb 2031 cycle an increase to $257, and then will cap at $270 in the February 2033 cycle. These fees Account for 87% of revenue.

Application fee is currently $100, propose an increase to $136, then $143, then $150. This is based on what it costs the board to actually process the applications.

Other fees increase in roughly the same amounts:

temporary practice permits going from $65 to $110 to $116 to $122
Reactivation of a license going from $65 up to ultimate $101
Restoration after suspension, from $65 up to ultimate $101
Continuing education program moving from $100 to an ultimate $145.

Applies to all fees listed above, it is a 36% or 40% one-time increase and then 5% for 2 biennium renewals after the initial increase.

Mr. Davis notes that the board is required to increase fees if they are inadequate and that if the board does not increase the fees and approve this package the Bureau will, as it is required, to ensure that the board remains solvent.

A question was raised about was there any other funds available or ways to cover the costs, such as fines and penalties. It was noted that penalties would have to increase astronomically, for reference a $1,000 fine would have to be raised to $25,000 and for transparency, those penalties are not often recouped and if they have to go to the Attorney General’s office, that office takes a cut of whatever they are able to recoup. Raising the fees was the best fiscal option, overall.

The fee package proposal was approved by the board. The next steps are numerous, but what is important for the licensees to know is the final proposal will be published in the Pa Bulletin and there will be a 30 day period for public comment on the fee proposal We will let you know when that proposal is published so you can offer your opinion. The state does take the comments into consideration, so when the opportunity presents itself please take action.

MASSAGE COMPACT

As far as the massage compact. Mr. Davis gave a brief overview of the compact reporting that the Pa legislators will not take any action until the language is finalized and all parties are in agreement.

‘

FSMTB noted they support current compact language. AMTA noted they support the newer version of the language. The PA Massage Board has no position.
This has been an ongoing process and should you want to read the current proposal please go to https://massagecompact.csg.org

MASSAGE IN COSMETOLOGY SALONS

The following has been added to the Cosmetology law and is written as follows:

Section 9.3. Practice of Massage Therapy in Cosmetology Salon or Esthetician Salon.

(a) An individual licensed under the act of October 9, 2008 (P.L.1438, No.118), known as the “Massage Therapy Law,” shall be permitted to practice massage therapy within the approved 13 premises of a licensed cosmetology salon or a licensed esthetician salon if the following conditions are met:

(1) The massage therapy licensee is the owner of or employed by the salon and is not an independent contractor.

(2) The massage therapist practices in accordance with this act and the Massage Therapy Law.

(3) The salon owner provides an appropriate level of privacy for clients in accordance with the following:

(i) No physical barriers separating the areas used for massage therapy from the areas used for cosmetology or esthetics shall be required when a massage therapist performs massage services that a cosmetologist or esthetician is authorized to perform.

(ii) A salon owner shall be required to provide separate massage therapy rooms with permanent walls and doors to ensure privacy for clients receiving massage services from a massage therapist when the services are beyond the practice of cosmetology or esthetics.

(iii) In order to enhance client comfort, esthetician services may be provided to a client in the same room where the client receives massage therapy, provided these services are not performed concurrently.

(b) A licensee under this section is subject to inspection by the board and the State Board of Massage Therapy.

(c) A licensee under this section who violates this act or the Massage Therapy Law shall be subject to discipline by the licensee’s applicable licensing board. (d) Within 18 months of the effective date of this section, the board and the State Board of Massage Therapy shall jointly promulgate final regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. (9.3 added Sept. 24, 2014, P.L.2476, No.136)

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I know, I know, this is a lot of information and I want you to know your government relations team is always available to answer any questions you may have. Look for us at our VERY OWN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TABLE at the Annual conference May 29, 30 and 31. Stop by, say hi and fill out our new questionnaire that will be available soon to help us assess your needs for GR going forward.

Enjoy this leisurely Spring, which is one way to frame it, and we look forward to seeing you in person at the conference or hearing from you in email form.

Sincerely,

Your Government Relations Team

Camille Baughman, MA, LMT (Chair)

Bryan Hixson, LMT and Scott Goldstein, LMT

Membership Committee- Virtual Meetings continue into 2026!

On the 2nd Saturdays, Join Xerlan 12noon - 1pm during lunchtime

Because no matter where we are in Pennsylvania we can be together for a little while for connection, information, support and fun!

meeting ID meet.google.com/akk-zapn-brt

Every 3rd Sunday virtually meet up with Amanda for the weekend end 8-9 pm

meeting ID meet.google.com/atc-nuit-env

Start out the Fourth Monday morning at 9am - 10am Join Gina to sip, savor & elevate your morning coffee experience

meeting ID meet.google.com/xhj-jakc-ugu