Licensure, scope of practice for some health occupations modified by new law

A new law contains a dozen provisions that will modify licensing and scope of practice for some health-related occupations.

Those affected include acupuncture and herbal medicine practice, athletic training, mortuary science, social work, dentistry practice, marriage and family therapy, pharmacy practice, physical therapists and advanced practice registered nurses. The law also makes it unlawful for a person who is not a natural person to practice medicine, optometry, or psychology.

The law also establishes registration for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists and establishes licensure for music therapists.

Sponsored by Rep. Aaron Repinski (R-Winona) and Sen. Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington), the law mostly takes effect Aug. 1, 2026.

Two provisions requiring licensure of music therapists and a section requiring individuals to be registered as massage therapists or Asian bodywork therapists to use protected titles take effect Jan. 1, 2028. Another provision requires county agency social workers to hold certain qualifications or be employed by a county agency before July 1, 2027, to use certain titles.

In Fiscal Year 2027, the law will appropriate $147,000 from the state government special revenue fund to the Department of Health to administer regulatory requirements for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists and $87,000 to administer licensing requirements for music therapists.

The base for administering regulatory requirements for massage and Asian bodywork therapists is $1.76 million in Fiscal Year 2028 and $1.82 million in Fiscal Year 2029. It is $55,000 each year to administer music therapist licensing requirements.

HF3825*/SF3875/CH115

HF3825* / SF3871 / CH115