Along with the majority of the state agencies in Oregon, the Board of Massage Therapists will observe all fixed furlough/agency closure days scheduled in the 2009/2011 biennium.

As such, the Board of Massage Therapists will close at 4:30 pm the Thursday before a furlough/closure and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on the Monday following.

The 2009/2011 fixed furlough/agency closure days are as follows:

Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011

We appreciate your patience and support as the state attempts to navigate the current financial crisis. If you have any questions please contact the office at 503-365-8657.

At the August 2009 Board meeting, in response to the passage of HB 2059 during the 2009 Legislative session, the OBMT reinstated the acceptance of the "Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork" and "Therapeutic Massage" exams administered by the NCBTMB.

All applicants for licensure must have taken and passed the MBLEx, administered by the states via the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, or one of the two exams referenced above.

Effective July 1st, 2009, OBMT began conducting criminal background checks on ALL initial and renewal applications. This process is consistent with the regulatory practices of other health related licensing boards and helps to assure the practice of massage is delivered safely to the public. For routine renewals the OBMT is not holding initial or renewal licenses pending the completion of these checks. As such, if a background check determines a discrepancy or that further information is needed the OBMT staff will contact the applicant/licensee to obtain the additional information. We ask that applicants/licensees cooperate fully and quickly with the board so that any concerns can be addressed in a timely manner. Watch for the OBMT BOARDerline coming out in early September for more information. Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns please email me directly at patty.glenn@state.or.us - Patty Glenn, OBMT Executive Director