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Press Releases/News
AMTA-NY's Response to NY Post Article on "Scare's the Rub"
Here is the unedited version of our letter to the NY Post:
Dear Editor;
This is in response to your April 11, 2010 article titled “Scare’s the Rub” by Calla Salinger, on “cheap” massage. Ms. Salinger glorifies the advantages of frequenting inexpensive “massage parlors” yet fails to mention the danger of massage by someone who is unlicensed. It is unclear from the article if the women recommended are licensed. Readers also need to know many licensed massage therapists do not charge the “high end spa” prices.
As president of the American Massage Therapy Association - NY Chapter I feel compelled to take this opportunity to help your readers understand health and safety issues concerning massage therapy. Buyer Beware!! Ms. Salinger mentions the licensing of massage therapists. However, it is important for readers to know it is a class E felony in New York to practice massage without a license. A massage therapist must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of comprehensive educational training before they are eligible to take the New York State licensing exam. Members of a professional association such as ours must also abide by a strict code of ethics and stay current in their profession through continuing education.
When choosing a massage therapist, check their credentials before scheduling an appointment by asking to see their massage therapy license and registration. Look for “massage therapist” on the license or it is not valid for providing massage therapy services. By law, the license and registration are required to be prominently displayed in their office, spa or healthcare facility. Licensed professionals do not work in massage “parlors.”
There have been many reports and arrests of people practicing without a license who offer “cheap” massage. People have been injured by therapists who are unlicensed. Choose a licensed professional for your health and safety. If you are injured by a non-licensed person, you most likely will not have any recourse.
If you or someone you know has been injured by an unlicensed “massage therapist,” or if you would like to report unlicensed massage, contact the Office of Professional Discipline at 800-442-8106 or email conduct@mail.nysed.gov
Sincerely,
Pat Collins, LCMT
AMTA-NY Chapter President
SCAM WARNING!
SCAMMERS NOW USING AMTA LOCATOR SERVICE TO APPEAR LEGITIMATE.
November 20, 2009
A SCAM email has been circulating in Connecticut, so be prepared to see it here in New Hampshire, too. AMTA National has been notified, so there's no need to take any action other than being aware! The email follows:
Greetings,
I hereby write to request if you will be available to offer 3days 90Mins Massage Service to me and my wife. My name is Joe and my wife's name is Pamela, we live and work as wine producers/suppliers in Malaysia. The name of our daughter is Debbie,4years 3months old. We are from Belgium by origin and will be relocating to the State of Connecticut in United States on the 24th of November,2009, Could you just spare a few seconds to visit our website at www.whqt.org
I came across your contact information on amtamassage.org. The website was recommended to me by an American friend as a tested and trusted Massage Therapy Site with well qualified Practitioners .
November 25th (Wednesday), November 27th (Friday), November 30th (Monday) are preferred massage dates and morning session between 9am & 12pm will be fine for us but if this is not available, then period from 5pm upward will make a good alternative. Moreover if there is any of the quoted dates/times that is not available,please let me know and possibly furnish me with alternative dates/times.We can on each day do the sessions back to back(i.e one after the other) OR at the same time if you have another therapist working with you OR I can have my own massage in the morning and the one for my wife comes later in the day. We do not have any medical issues whatsoever and we have received massage services several times in the past .
Kindly answer the following questions if you are available for the service required.
What is your address location in Connecticut so as to estimate our proximity to you ?
What qualification(s) do you have?
How many years of experience do you have in this career?
I shall look forward to your prompt response.
Regards,
Joe J Evans
01160173929618
Updates from the Office of the Professions (9/08)
State Budget and Office of the Professions
In August, Governor David Paterson imposed a hiring freeze and ordered New York State agencies, including the Education Department to reduce spending by 7%, in addition to the 3.35% reduction imposed earlier this fiscal year. The Office of the Professions is working to redistribute work assignments and to identify cost-savings that will meet the spending targets while ensuring a timely process for licensure and discipline.
It has been necessary to limit meetings of the State Boards and the Office will be using videoconference technology to reduce travel costs for essential meetings. Other cost savings include the elimination of printed documents, such as laws and regulations, provided to new licensees. Instead, we encourage the use of the Office of the Professions web site (www.op.nysed.gov) to access information about the license, practice and discipline of the 48 professions established under the Education Law.
In order to reduce printing and mailing costs, OP will increase the use of email to correspond with applicants and encourages individuals to print the application forms from our web site. Please encourage your colleagues to sign up for OPNews Online to keep informed about activities in the Office of the Professions. You can sign up at: http://listserv.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=opnews&A=1. You will be prompted to enter your email address and tailor how you wish to receive email alerts.
Physical Therapy & Continuing Education
On July 7, 2008, Chapter 207 of the Laws of 2008, which requires physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to complete thirty-six hours of continuing education during each three-year re-registration period, was signed into law by Governor David A. Paterson. The law takes effect September 1, 2009.
The law cannot be fully implemented until regulations are adopted by the Board of Regents, which is expected to occur early next year. In the coming months, the State Board for Physical Therapy will draft regulations. The proposed regulations will be published in the State Register for public comment and discussed by the Board of Regents before action can be taken. Information about the license and practice of the physical therapy professions can be found at: www.op.nysed.gov/pt.htm.
Changes in Licensee’s Address and Name
The Education Law requires that a licensee notify the Department within 30 days of a change in mailing address or in name. You could be charged with unprofessional conduct for willful failure if you fail to notify the Department within 180 days of an address or name change. Your notification must include your name, profession, license number, social security number, date of birth, and both your old and new addresses. You may notify us in one of three ways:
1) Email your information: oparchiv@mail.nysed.gov
2) Call our automated phone attendant (available 24 hours a days, 7 days a week) at (518) 474-3817. Operators are available to assist you Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., EST.;
3) Write to: Division of Professional Licensing Services, Office of the Professions, State Education Building - 2nd floor, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234-1000
A name change must be submitted in writing with a notarized signature. You can access a form for name and address changes at: http://www.op.nysed.gov/anchange.pdf. You can access a list of frequently asked questions about licensure and registration on our web site: www.op.nysed.gov/faq.htm.
Special Bulletin
State Education Department to actively investigate illegal professional practice!
Read about the latest efforts...CLICK HERE!
In 2003, the Legislature enacted Section 6516 of the Education Law, authorizing the State Education Department to issue cease and desist orders, conduct administrative proceedings, impose civil penalties and order restitution in instances of the unauthorized practice of a profession or the unauthorized use of a professional title. Specifically, this statute permits the Department to issue a cease and desist order when the Department has reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated section 6512 or 6513 of the Education Law.
Although Section 6516 of the Education Law was effective September 30, 2003, the Department was unable to initiate any civil enforcement proceedings or impose any civil penalties at that time because the legislation did not include necessary funding. The Department now has available resources to begin limited implementation of the administrative procedures established in Education Law Section 6516, anticipating legislative approval of a bill that would fund the cost of complete implementation with a surcharge of $10 for each licensed professional’s re-registration.
As you know, our profession and it’s public image is often tarnished by unlicensed practitioners. We believe this action is a step toward controlling this problem. We are calling for member assistance! Please review the letter below, print, sign and send to the Office of Professional Discipline. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated!
You can also directly report unlicensed therapists and illegal practices through our website by clicking here.
Dale Grust, President
AMTA-NY Chapter
Illegal Practice Letter - Word Document
Illegal Practice Letter - PDF Document
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