Minnesota2026Passed Legislature
HF3825
Health Occupations Licensing and Practice Changes
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM
In one sentence
This law updates licensing rules for several health professions, creates a registration system for massage therapists, establishes licensure for music therapists, defines new terms like acupuncture, and sets up advisory councils.
What it does
- Updates the definition of 'acupuncture' to include both modern and traditional medical methods.
- Establishes a license requirement specifically for music therapists.
- Creates a registration system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists instead of full licensure.
- Modifies rules about what unlicensed people can do in health occupations, such as prohibiting them from giving medical diagnoses.
- Sets up advisory councils to help guide these health professions.
Who it affects
- Acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners
- Athletic trainers, mortuary science professionals, social workers, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, advanced practice registered nurses, marriage and family therapy providers
- Massage therapists, Asian bodywork therapists, and music therapists
Limits and unknowns
- Unlicensed complementary and alternative health care practitioners cannot provide a medical diagnosis or recommend stopping medically prescribed treatments.
- Complementary health practices do not include surgery, x-rays, setting fractures, using certain medical devices, dentistry, or chiropractic adjustments.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Acupuncture
- A treatment technique using modern and traditional methods that includes inserting needles through the skin. It may also use heat, massage, or electrical stimulation.
- Complementary and alternative health care practices
- Healing methods like aromatherapy, meditation, herbalism, bodywork, and food-based therapies that do not include surgery, x-rays, setting broken bones, or prescribing controlled drugs.
- NCBAHM
- The organization mentioned in the text whose certification exam study guide lists recognized acupuncture reference texts.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Health occupations; licensing and scope of practice modified for 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; registration established for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists; licensure established for music therapists; unlicensed practice provisions modified; advisory councils established; civil penalties; reports required; fees imposed; and money appropriated.
Official activity
Bill history
- Presented to Governor 05/20/2026House
- Presentment date 05/20/26Senate
- Returned from Senate with amendmentHouse
- Special OrderSenate
- Taken from tableSenate
- Taken from tableSenate
- Received from HouseSenate
- Third readingHouse
- House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, April 20, 2026House
- Committee report, to adoptHouse
- Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil LawHouse
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and PolicyHouse