Registrations

V.S.A. tit. 26, ch. 105, subch. 3

in effect

26 V.S.A. § 5421 Application

5421. Application A person who desires to be registered under this chapter shall apply for a registration in the manner specified by the Director, accompanied by payment of the required fee. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.

26 V.S.A. § 5422 Registration by endorsement

5422. Registration by endorsement The Director may issue a registration to an individual under this chapter if the individual holds a license, registration, certification, or other authorization to practice massage therapy or bodywork from a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.

26 V.S.A. § 5423 Establishments; designee and inspection

5423. Establishments; designee and inspection (a) An establishment shall register with the Office of Professional Regulation. The operation of an establishment without registration shall constitute unauthorized practice under 3 V.S.A. § 127. (b) An establishment is responsible for ensuring its lawful operation, regardless of whether the establishment’s owner is on-site or has personal knowledge of its operations. The Office may prosecute an establishment for unprofessional conduct or unauthorized practice occurring at the establishment. (c) The Director may require that an application for establishment registration include: (1) the management and ownership of the business; (2) the name, location, and licensing history of any past or present massage establishment under the same management or ownership; (3) the location and ownership of the establishment’s premises; (4) proof of business registration with the Secretary of State; and (5) other information required by the Director in rule. (d) The Director may deny an establishment registration of a location where unprofessional conduct, as defined in subdivision 5427(2) or (3) of this title, has previously occurred, even if under different ownership or management. A denial on this basis shall follow the same procedures as a denial for unprofessional conduct under 3 V.S.A. § 129. (e) A person authorized by the Director may enter any establishment for the purpose of inspection. The Director may require an establishment to undergo inspection prior to registration. A fee shall not be charged for any inspection under this subsection. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.

26 V.S.A. § 5424 Registration renewal

5424. Registration renewal (a) A registration under this chapter shall be renewed every two years by submission of a new, completed application and shall be accompanied by payment of the required fee. (b) A registration that has lapsed shall be renewed upon payment of the biennial renewal fee and the late renewal penalty. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021.

26 V.S.A. § 5425 Fees

5425. Fees (a) Applicants and persons regulated under this chapter shall pay those fees set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 125(b). (b) An establishment where the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork is provided by only two massage therapists, bodyworkers, or touch professionals shall pay reduced fees set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 125(b). Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.

26 V.S.A. § 5426 Display of registration

5426. Display of registration An establishment must conspicuously display the registrations of: (1) the establishment; and (2) any massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork in the establishment. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.

26 V.S.A. § 5427 Unprofessional conduct

5427. Unprofessional conduct Unprofessional conduct means the conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a and the following: (1) engaging in activities in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2605 (voyeurism); (2) engaging with a client in sexual conduct as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2821: (A) at an establishment; or (B) while engaging in, offering to engage in, or purporting to engage in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork; (3) meeting a client at an establishment for the purpose of sexual conduct; (4) conviction of a crime committed while engaged in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork; (5) performing massage or bodywork that the massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional knows or has reason to know has not been authorized by a client or the client’s legal representative; (6) engaging in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public; and (7) engaging in the practice of massage or the practice of bodywork at an unregistered establishment. Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2025, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. December 1, 2026.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/26/105Fetched: 10/21/2026