About the AMTA WA
American Massage Therapy Association – Washington Chapter (AMTA-WA) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit professional massage therapy association in Washington State.
Contact our Board Members and Volunteers by visiting the AMTA National Website and logging in.
Our Mission
To provide a forum for professional exchange, to actively support the growth of our profession, and to enhance public awareness of massage therapy.
Our Chapter is the largest in the country with over 5,000 members and we continue to grow.
As a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, you gain the benefits of a large collective network of massage therapists. AMTA provides the best benefits package in the industry along with excellent discounts, peer support and continuing education. We also are very active politically, protecting our rights as health care providers and protecting the massage profession. We work together with a team of attorneys and a lobbyist to ensure that massage practitioners have the right to practice in WA State.
The Washington Chapter provides additional resources for Chapter members, to help massage therapists in every stage of their career – from student to professional.
Our Government Affairs & External Relations Program works on legislative issues and protects and preserves our right to practice massage.
Our annual Chapter Convention provides many opportunities for networking as well as CE classes for LMT’s.
Our Annual Meeting provides the latest AMTA-WA Board elections results, Reports from the GR Committee, Volunteer Committee and other committees.
By joining the AMTA-WA your benefits grow because you are now part of the largest professional group of medical professionals in our state, you have access to deep member discounts at our state-wide events and you have the opportunity to volunteer with one of the most proactive professional forces in our industry.
Board of Directors
-
Adele, Presedent
-
Ariana Will, Delegate
Description goes here -
Linda Butcher, Board Member,
Buckley, WA
Linda graduated from Alexandar School of Natural Therapeutics in 2005. She continued her education and got her Small Animal Certification from the Northwest School of Animal Massage and her Reflexology license from the International School of Reflexology & Meridian Therapy. She also got her master’s degree in Natural Health Sciences and Aromatherapy from the American College of Health Care Sciences.
Linda has been volunteering her time with the AMTA since 2005. The reason I wanted to volunteer was because of a very special instructor and owner of the Alexandar School, Aleshia Alexandar. She told us what massage therapist went through to bring massage out of prostitution industry and have people look to it as health care.
After hearing about what they did I wanted to continue to help the massage profession grow in the health care industry. So I will continue to volunteer my knowledge and expertise to help promote the benefits of massage to the community.
-
Ngocloan Nguyen, Secertary
Seattle, WA
Legacy of Love Contractor, Completed Massage Therapy Program in 2018 at Renton Technical College (RTC) and practices what she affectionately call “Rhythmic Therapy Connection.” LoAn has also served as AMTA volunteer at Seattle Marathon, Washington Special Olympics, Massage Awareness Day, in Education Committee, as Finance Administrator, now as Secretary. She volunteers with AMTA to serve alongside caring intelligent talented people excited about massage profession advocacy.
Enjoys discovery of wellness approaches and exploring natural wonders of our world. Loves to garden, cook, swim, attend concerts, travel, and spend time with her children and granddaughter.
-
Allison Hanelt, LMT
Allison graduated from the Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College in 2002 and has been working full time in a chiropractic clinic since 2004.
She has been volunteering for the AMTA WA Chapter for the past 15+ years because she loves connecting with people and being a part of the conversation that shapes the future. -
Anne Warjone, LMT
Anne Warjone, LMT graduated from Seattle Massage School in 1994, and went on to complete training in Neuromuscular, CranioSacral, Reiki, and Foeldi Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy in Hinterzarten, DE.
She has volunteered for the AMTA before, and is happy to return to help. She is especially passionate about making sure that massage therapists defend their rights. Anne would like to expand public awareness about the profession to consumers and other professionals, both here in Washington State and in the nation. -
Leslie Emmerik MPA, Lobbyist
Leslie brings 26 years of legislative experience as a former county commissioner, state agencies legislative liaison and health care contract lobbyist. Leslie provides a unique perspective and a broad backdrop of knowledge for our AMTA WA lobbyist position, especially with the state regulatory process around health care professions.
-
Julie Onofrio, LMT, Government Relations Chair
Graduate of Seattle Massage school in 1987 and 38 years as a massage therapist and sole proprietor in Downtown Seattle where she practiced mainly Clinical Massage working with all types of injuries and conditions. Julie has been working for the profession behind the scenes with her many websites and books, one on insurance billing and one on building a practice. She enjoys gardening, taking care of horses and writing.
AMTA WA Chapter Milestones
-
2022
Chapter Membership at 4,654
-
2021
January Legislative Update from Government Relations : Rule Changes
-
2019
WA Massage Alliance for Health (first PAC in the massage profession) was closed.
-
2017
AMTA-WA wrote and worked to pass SHB 2425 to change our title from licensed massage practitioner to licensed massage therapist.
Chapter 41, Laws of 2016 64th Legislature 2016 Regular Session MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS–RENAMING AS MASSAGE THERAPISTS EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/1/2017
AN ACT Relating to changing the words “massage practitioner” and 2 “animal massage practitioner” to “massage therapist” and “animal 3 massage therapist
AMTA-WA participated in rule making workshops with Board of Massage to clarify massage practitioner rules (Chapter 246-830 WAC)
-
2015
A new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:
The following penalties must be imposed upon an owner of a massage business or
reflexology business where the unlicensed practice of massage therapy or
reflexology has been committed(1) Any person who with knowledge or criminal negligence allows or permits the
unlicensed practice of massage therapy or reflexology to be committed within his or
her massage business or reflexology business by another is guilty of a
misdemeanor for a single violation.(2) Each subsequent violation, whether alleged in the same or in subsequent
prosecutions, is a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20
RCW.
-
2014
Legislative Update from Lobbyist Melanie Stewart
-
2013
AMTA-WA hires Diana Thompson to create document showing how massage will fit into the ACA at request of OIC. The Summary of Evidence: Massage Therapy is an Integral Component in the Affordable Care Act’s Essential Health Benefits. Summary of Evidence download here
-
2012
Certification of Reflexologists ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6103 effective date July 1, 2013.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/07/12 – Except sections 1 through 19, which become effective 07/01/13.
Secretary or (DOH inspectors) given authority to inspect massage/reflexology
businesses during business hours -
2010
Chapter membership at 4,744
Affordable Care Act Passed. AMTA-WA continues to protect the Every Category Law
-
2009
Chapter membership at 4,649.
Health Electronic Resource for WA (HEAL-WA) an evidence-based health sciences information website is launched. Site funded by an additional fee added on to state healthcare providers.
AMTA-WA volunteers provide on-site massage at the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Department of Health issues new rules for continuing education for massage practitioners.
-
2008
Chapter membership at 4,565.
Updated Chapter Website launched.
AMTA-WA wrote and worked to pass SHB 2959 which placed the massage continuing education requirement into law (RCW) and not just in rule (WAC) and created an inactive license category for massage.
Massage Awareness and Involvement Network (MAIN) launched.
-
2007
Chapter membership at 4,425
National Provider Identifier (NPI) required for all healthcare providers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with HIPAA.
AMTA-WA launches legal services program as a free AMTA-WA member benefit.
MERT-WA volunteers provided on-site massage for construction volunteers who were building a family home in Kirkland for the TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
AMTA-WA wrote and worked to pass HB 1397 which expanded scope of practice to include intraoral massage as an endorsement to the massage license.
AMTA-WA wrote and worked to pass HB 1341 which repealed language from the massage practice act that allowed local jurisdictions to charge additional fees for massage businesses that were not required for non-massage businesses.
SB 5403 passed which created a new category of animal massage therapists under the purview of the veterinary board for those who only want to work with animals and not humans
-
2006
Worked with the Association of Washington cities to end discriminatory local massage ordinances.
Online registration available for the first time for Chapter Convention.
Seattle Unit volunteers provide on-site massage at Habitat for Humanity construction site.
Department of Health issues new rules which define professional misconduct for all healthcare providers in Washington.
-
2005
Updated Chapter website launched
Chapter Listserv launched.
MYOPAC is retired and a new political action committee, Washington Massage Alliance for Health, is created.
AMTA-WA volunteers provide massage at the National Conference of State Legislators which was held in Seattle.
-
2004
MYOPAC raises $11,000 to help defeat I-895. This initiative threatened a patient’s right to access the healthcare provider of their choice to deliver covered services in their health insurance policy.
I-895 dies.
Biggest political contribution by the massage profession ($11,000 in donations to MYOPAC).
HB 2460 dismantles much of Washington State healthcare reform, but “Every Category Provider” law still intact.
Chapter membership at 4,000.
-
2002
Salt Lake City Olympic/Paralympic Games – Sports massage was again recognized as a member of medical services. The AMTA petitioned the Internal Olympic Committee to make sports massage a mandated service of the Games.
First Chapter Volunteer Gathering held.
Reflexologists were exempted in RCW. SENATE BILL 6698
-
2001
MERT-WA was established.
9/11
Contracted with bookkeeper Gloria Major.
Eisenburg Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMMA).
-
2000
Animal Massage Endorsement. SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5621 ANIMAL MASSAGE
Chapter contracted with Rial Marketing Communications to produce the Washington Massage Journal member publication.
White House Commission Town Hall Meeting in Seattle (AMTA-WA testimony).
Northwest Integrated Health Care 2000 – King County; AMTA-WA participated.
-
1999
Unit policies developed.
Chapter website launched.
Insurance Committee became the Health Care Integration Committee.
-
1998
National Sports Massage Team dissolved.
AMTA-WA Chapter membership at 2,200.
Chapter hired administrative director Cathy Olson.
AMTA-WA participated in the Clinicians’ Workgroup on the Integration of CAM (CWIC) with Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn from 1998-2000. The workgroup existed fro three full years addressing myths, fears and coverage issues from service that were not understood by insurers. The relationships developed through that workgroup are still supporting the CAM professions today.
-
1997
Chapter contracted with management consultant David Matteson.
Health Care Reform is declared constitutionally legal all the way to the Supreme Court in San Francisco.
Eisenburg Study on low back pain with Dan Cherkin at the Center for Health Studies began.
Somatic Practitioners were exempted in RCW. Somatic Practitioners were exempted in RCW. SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1875 Individuals who have completed a somatic education training program approved by the secretary
-
1996
“Every Category of Provider” law passed creating WAC 284-170-270. Every category of health care providers giving individuals the right to choose the provider they will see for a covered condition as long as it is within a healthcare provider’s scope of practice. It was a law that was created by the insurance commissioner at the time, Deborah Senn. The insuracne companies fought it fiercly, but Senn won. A task force was created that included AMTA- WA chapter leaders. The Report of the Clinician Workgroup on the Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine January 2000 was created to provide guideline for implementation. See the full report and timeline.
Atlanta Olympic/Paralympic Games – First time that sports massage was included as a member of medical service for the games by a local organizer.
-
1995
State dropped practical exam, adopted National Certification Exam.
-
1994
Chapter contracted with lobbyist Melanie Stewart.
-
1993
Health Care Reform Act Passed
First MERT Deployment: Inaugural Day Windstorm.
-
1992
Sales tax added to LMP fees. LMPs organized protest and win. (Entered the era of “Healthcare Provider”)
NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) formed.
-
1990
State Standards for Massage Education set at 500 hours.
-
1980
Washington State began approving massage schools (1988). LMPs began working with auto injury claims.
Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA) defines and governs all providers in WA State. LMPs were included for the first time, which gave us status as healthcare providers. Because of this action, Labor and Industries opened up to us in July the following year-(1984) LMPs began working with L&I. CHAPTER 279 [Substitute House Bill No. 11781 HEALTH ANDHEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES CONSOLIDATION OFDISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
1987 Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 52991 MASSAGE THERAPY – Massage operator to massage practitioner /Massage Examining Board to Board of Massage “massage therapy” health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes.
More massage schools opened: Brenneke School of Massage, Acadia, Spectrum Center School of Massage, Alexandar’s School of Natural Therapeutics, Fairhaven and Brian Utting School of Massage.LMPs began doing Labor and Industry injured worker claims.
1988 – WA Board of Massage begins approval process for Massage Schools
LMPs began doing auto injury insurance treatments.
Washington Sports Massage Team Officially Started (1987).
1989 The Dept. of Health is created as a state agency and the licensing and regulation of all health care providers moves from DOL to DOH.
-
1976
Washington State required passage of State Massage Exam to practice. Ruth Williams was among the first to be licensed; also Heida Brenneke, Cheryl Hockett, Susan Rosen, William Prelle, Daisy and Cohen Kallop, Lucy and Fred Baker, Richard Butt.
-
1960's
Washington State had three massage schools: Atomic School of Massage in Tri-Cities, Broadmoor in Seattle and one school in Spokane.
-
1947
AMTA founded in Washington State by Ruth and Jesse Williams of Tri-Cities, Washington. See Ruth Williams: 25 years: History in the Making (full text/pdf on archive.org)
September 26, 1943, a meeting of Massage Operators was called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Murray in Seattle, Washington. It is not clear from the minutes of the meeting exactly who was present, but those spoken of in the minutes are Hugh Murray, Helen Wallis, David Jolly, Dolla Myers, Robert Cram, Milton Niedfolt, Wilbur Malone, Elsie Miller, Jessie LaBaron, Al Stilloy, Vorn Zeller, Miss Holt and Mrs Gardner.