BILL NO. 193
(as passed)
2nd Session, 63rd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
68 Elizabeth II, 2019
Government Bill
Massage Therapist Titles Protection Act
CHAPTER 24 OF THE ACTS OF 2019
The Honourable Randy Delorey
Minister of Health and Wellness
First Reading: October 11, 2019 (LINK TO BILL AS INTRODUCED)
Second Reading: October 15, 2019
Third Reading: October 29, 2019
Royal Assent: October 30, 2019
An Act to Protect the Titles
of Massage Therapists
1 This Act may be cited as the Massage Therapist Titles Protection Act.
(a) "association" means an association of massage therapists prescribed by the regulations;
(b) "recognized institution" means an educational institution recognized by an association.
3 No person shall use the title "Massage Therapist", "Registered Massage Therapist" or a similar title, or any word, title or designation, abbreviated or otherwise, to imply that that person is a qualified massage therapist, unless that person
(a) has successfully completed a course of at least 2,200 hours from a recognized institution or has equivalent educational qualifications that are recognized by an association;
(b) has professional liability insurance or another form of malpractice insurance coverage in an amount as determined by the association to which that person belongs;
(c) is a member in good standing of an association;
(d) when applying for membership in an association, submits a criminal record check to the association; and
(e) submits an annual declaration to the association to which that person belongs, attesting to the matters prescribed by the regulations.
4 Every person who contravenes this Act is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to
(a) for a first offence, a fine of not more than $15,000; and
(b) for a second or subsequent offence, a fine of not more than $30,000.
5 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) prescribing associations of massage therapists;
(b) prescribing matters to be included in an annual declaration;
(c) defining any word or expression used but not defined in this Act;
(d) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to effectively carry out the intent and purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
6 Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2003, the Massage Therapy Act, is repealed.
7 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2019 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created October 29, 2019. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
