A new state registration mandate for massage therapists takes effect in 2028—and most practitioners don't know about it yet.
Most massage therapy business owners in Minnesota have no idea that a new state registration requirement is coming their way. Buried in HF3825, a broad health occupations licensing bill, is a provision that will fundamentally change how massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists operate—and what it costs them to do so.
Effective January 1, 2028, massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota will be required to register with the state. This isn't optional. Any individual or small business operating in this field will need to obtain state registration and comply with a new regulatory framework.
The registration comes with a price tag: initial and biennial fees up to $640.50. Beyond the fee itself, practitioners will need to meet new mandatory requirements including background checks, proof of education, insurance documentation, and submission to a state disciplinary system. These aren't suggestions—they're conditions of legal practice.
The law creates a two-phase rollout. Protected titles (meaning only registered practitioners can use the titles "massage therapist" or "Asian bodywork therapist") become effective January 1, 2028. The actual registration system will be operational by July 1, 2028, giving the state six months to build the infrastructure.
One important note: municipalities will not be able to impose their own separate registration or licensing requirements once the state system is in place. This preemption means statewide rules will apply uniformly, but it also means local flexibility ends.
This applies to anyone operating as a massage therapist or Asian bodywork therapist in Minnesota—whether you're a solo practitioner, a small spa owner, or part of a larger wellness center. If you currently practice without state licensure or registration, you will be required to register. If you're already licensed in another state or country, you'll still need Minnesota registration to legally practice here.
The effective date is more than two years away, but that's not as far off as it sounds. Regulatory systems take time to build, and the state will likely announce detailed requirements, application processes, and fee structures well before 2028. Practitioners should:
The provision is found in Article 3, Section 21 [148.6377], Subdivision 1 of HF3825 (page 40 of the bill text).
This is a significant operational and financial change for the massage therapy industry. Business owners should begin planning now rather than scrambling in late 2027.
Source: HF3825, Minnesota Legislature, 2024 session.