ACLU says Nevada agency is wrongfully denying Asian women massage therapy licenses (2024)

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ACLU says Nevada agency is wrongfully denying Asian women massage therapy licenses (1)

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, against the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy alleging discrimination within the agency’s licensing practices. (Las Vegas Review-Journal/File)

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ByDavid Danzis/Las Vegas Review-Journal

August 14, 2024 - 1:43 pm

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint Wednesday against the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy alleging discrimination within the agency’s licensing practices.

The ACLU and ACLU of Nevada filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of Bi Ling Zhu, a Chinese woman whose application was denied because of “an uncorroborated arrest despite the charge being dismissed,” according to a press release.

The Nevada State Board of Message Therapy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The EEOC complaint alleges the state massage therapy board violated federal laws against discrimination when it rejected Zhu’s application in 2023. Zhu worked as a licensed massage therapist from 2016 to 2020 before she was arrested in 2019 on a solicitation charge, to which she pleaded not guilty and was ultimately dismissed.

The ACLU says that between 2020 and 2024, the board routinely denied license applications based on prior criminal charges that were later dropped. An ACLU investigation found 54 other women “faced similar questions about an unproven arrest record,” according to the EEOC complaint. Of those, nine were Caucasian women and six of those applicants were granted temporary or permanent licenses. Forty-one Asian women with similar criminal records submitted applications during the same time with 11 being granted probationary or full licenses, according to the ACLU.

The filing claims the board’s licensing policy is causing an “unjustified disparate impact on the ability of Asian women to obtain employment as massage therapists.”

Chris Peterson, ACLU of Nevada legal director, said the state board was ignoring a “sacred American principle” of innocent until proven guilty.

“Ms. Zhu’s arrest had been dismissed almost four years earlier; no evidence corroborated the allegations, but the licensing board concluded she was guilty as charged. Ms. Zhu and dozens of other Asian women have been barred from practicing the profession for which they have successfully trained and previously practiced, restricting their economic opportunities at a time when so many Nevadans are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Zhu, in a statement issued through the ACLU, urged the board to change its policy, saying it has had a “severe impact on my financial stability and well-being.”

“I once earned a stable income as a licensed massage therapist, but since being barred from practicing due to this discriminatory policy, my ability to support myself and my family has been severely compromised,” she said.

Alejandro Agustin Ortiz, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU Racial Justice Program, said Zhu’s situation “underscores the need for regulatory bodies to ensure their policies do not perpetuate racial or gender discrimination, ensuring all individuals have equal access to economic freedom and professional opportunities.”

Contact David Danzis at ddanzis@reviewjournal.com. Follow AC_Danzis on X.

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ACLU says Nevada agency is wrongfully denying Asian women massage therapy licenses (2024)

FAQs

ACLU says Nevada agency is wrongfully denying Asian women massage therapy licenses? ›

The filing claims the board's licensing policy is causing an “unjustified disparate impact on the ability of Asian women to obtain employment as massage therapists.” Chris Peterson, ACLU of Nevada legal director, said the state board was ignoring a “sacred American principle” of innocent until proven guilty.

Do you need a massage license in Nevada? ›

Massage therapists practicing in Nevada must have a massage therapy license issued by the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy. The Board was started in 2005 and works to protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating the massage therapy profession in the Nevada.

Can I transfer my massage license to Nevada? ›

Nevada Must be licensed in a state with equal or greater requirements (550 hours). The applicant must submit a copy of his/her current massage license. Official transcripts need to be sent directly to the board from the school or submitted in an unopened envelope with the school seal.

How many states in the US do not require massage therapists to have any kind of licensing or certification from the state? ›

Only five states—California, Kansas, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wyoming—have no widespread regulations, though certain cities and counties within those states have their own rules regarding the legal practice of massage.

Do the majority of states that license massage use the massage and bodywork licensing examination MBLEx? ›

In the past, other exams and tests have been accepted. However, the MBLEx has now become the standard in the vast majority of states. If you're looking to become a licensed massage therapist virtually anywhere in the country, the MBLEx is by far your best choice when it comes to a massage licensure exam.

How much does a massage therapist make in Vegas? ›

$44,900 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $87,900 is the 75th percentile.

Are massage parlors legal in Nevada? ›

If you are good, yes. We have lots of legal (non-sexual) massage places, plus lots of people in business for themselves. The therapists who work at the resort spas make more, but those jobs are in great demand. Assuming you are licensed by the state of Nevada, of course.

What state pays the most for massage? ›

Alaska has the highest massage therapist salary of $69,287. Florida has the lowest massage therapist salary of $46,229. The national average salary for massage therapists is $53,935. The national hourly pay for massage therapists is $25.93.

Who are not allowed for a massage treatment? ›

Total contraindications are such things as unstable hypertension or high blood pressure, contagious diseases such as the cold or flu, a significant fever, and/or recent surgery. As a massage therapist, we also learned about endangerment sites.

What states do not require the MBLEx exam? ›

Regulated States
StateRegulatory StatusMBLEx Accepted
CaliforniaVoluntary CertificationNo Exam Required
ColoradoLicenseYes
ConnecticutLicenseYes
DelawareLicenseYes
46 more rows

Does California require massage license? ›

California is one of the handful of states in the U.S. that do not license the massage therapy profession at the state level. That being said, individual counties and municipalities may have their own requirements for massage therapists in addition to a basic business license.

What is the best state for massage parlors? ›

Our research shows that Maine is the best state in the country for massage therapists.

What is the difference between MBLEx and Ncbtmb? ›

The MBLEx is widely recognized and accepted by state regulatory boards across the United States. It is the most commonly required examination for obtaining a massage therapy license in many states. On the other hand, NCBTMB certification is recognized by employers, professional organizations, and industry stakeholders.

How long is massage therapy school in Nevada? ›

How long does it take to become a Massage Therapist in Nevada? To qualify for a Massage Therapist license in Nevada, you must complete a minimum of 500 hours of training from a school approved by the Nevada Commission on Post Secondary Education.

How many times can you take the MBLEx in Nevada? ›

The FSMTB, who administers the MBLEx, does not limit the number of times you can take the MBLEx.

What do I need to start a body massage business? ›

Table of Contents
  1. Get Massage Certifications.
  2. Come Up With a Business Plan for Your Massage Practice.
  3. Set Up Your Finances.
  4. Find Clients and Keep Them.
  5. Decide Where You Will Work.
  6. Build Your Brand.
  7. Check Local Legal Requirements.
  8. Invest in Massage Therapy Software.

Can you practice massage without a license in Colorado? ›

The act removes specific exemptions from the practice of massage therapy and clarifies that other licensed health care professionals may practice massage therapy without a massage therapist license as long as the therapy is within the health care professional's scope of practice.

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