Currently, if a massage therapist  (MT) with an active license in another state moves to Alaska (AK), they have to fulfill one of two pathways to get licensed in AK.

1. Licensure by credentials.  If a MT has an active and unrestricted license in another state, they can apply to be licensed in AK.  However, the MT must still have completed at least 625 hours of approved massage therapy school and have passed a nationally recognized competency examination (like MBLEX).
2. Licensure by examination.  Completion of a 625 hour program at an approved massage therapy school and have passed a nationally recognized competency examination (like MBLEX).

If the MT proceeds with the first pathway, they would have to prove that they have an active and unrestricted license in another state AND have completed 625 hours of approved massage therapy school as well as passed a national competency exam.  However, out of the states that require completion of a Massage Therapy School program for licensure, 29 states have requirements totalling fewer than 625-program hours.

If the MT is moving from a state that has fewer than 625-hours of required massage therapy coursework for licensure, then they would not be able to get licensed in AK (even with an active unrestricted license in their previous state) unless they went back to an approved massage school and completed a 625 hour program. 

It is possible then that an MT actively licensed in another state and who has been actively employed for many years (accruing hands-on experience) would need to go back to massage therapy school and complete a 625-hour program in order to get licensure by credentials in AK.  This is cost-prohibitive, burdensome and does not take into account the professional experience of the MT nor any continuing education credits they may have accrued.  

This petition seeks to amend the pathway of Licensure by Credentials in AK to include professional experience and/or continuing education credits.  If the MT attempting to get licensed in AK through the pathway of Licensure by Credentials: (1) had an active and unrestricted license in another state; (2) completed an approved massage therapy school program of fewer than 625 hours; and (3) passed a national competency exam, they could then also submit their professional experience (for example, length of time with an active license, or proof of consistent employment) or NCBTMB-approved continuing education credits that they have completed for consideration.