This chapter applies to people and massage establishments doing massage therapy in Louisiana, with listed exceptions, and it bars certain licensed persons from holding themselves out as licensed massage therapists under this chapter.
§3553. Application of Chapter; exceptions and exemptions A. This Chapter shall apply to any person or massage establishment engaging in the practice of massage therapy within the state of Louisiana. B.(1) This Chapter shall not apply to any services performed in hospitals licensed by the state. (2) This Chapter shall also not apply to any of the following: (a) Persons who are licensed, registered, or certified in another state, territory, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country when incidentally present in the state to teach a course of instruction related to massage and bodywork therapy as a continuing education course. (b) Persons giving massage and bodywork to their immediate family without compensation. (c) Persons incidentally present in the state to provide services as part of an emergency response team working in conjunction with relief officials during a disaster, provided such persons are properly licensed in the state from which they originate. C. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as preventing or restricting the practice of any person licensed or certified in this state under any other law from engaging in the profession or occupation for which he is licensed or certified. However, a person licensed or certified in this state under any other law shall not hold himself out to the public as a licensed massage therapist under the provisions of this Chapter. D. Nothing in this Title shall prohibit the board from adopting rules that are related to preventing fraud, abuse, human trafficking, or other criminal activity. Acts 1992, No. 753, §2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 567, §1, eff. July 3, 1997; Acts 2012, No. 605, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2021, No. 324, §2, eff. June 14, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 453, §1.