Illinois Code § 25

§ 25.

Exemptions. (a) This Act does not prohibit a person licensed under any other Act in this State from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed. (b) Persons exempted under this Section include, but are not limited to, physicians, podiatric physicians, naprapaths, and physical therapists. (c) Nothing in this Act prohibits qualified members of other professional groups, including but not limited to nurses, occupational therapists, cosmetologists, and estheticians, from performing massage in a manner consistent with their training and the code of ethics of their respective professions. (d) Nothing in this Act prohibits a student of an approved massage school or program from performing massage, provided that the student does not hold himself or herself out as a licensed massage therapist and does not receive compensation, including tips, for massage therapy services. (e) Nothing in this Act prohibits practitioners that do not involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but not limited to Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Reike, and Therapeutic Touch, from practicing. (f) Practitioners of certain service marked bodywork approaches that do involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but not limited to Rolfing, Trager Approach, Polarity Therapy, and Orthobionomy, are exempt from this Act if they are approved by their governing body based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards. (g) Until January 1, 2024, members of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia are exempt from licensure under this Act. (h) Practitioners of other forms of bodywork who restrict manipulation of soft tissue to the feet, hands, and ears, and who do not have the client disrobe, such as reflexology, are exempt from this Act. (i) Nothing in this Act applies to massage therapists from other states or countries when providing educational programs for a period not exceeding 30 days within a calendar year. (j) Nothing in this Act prohibits a person from treating ailments by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination. (k) Nothing in this Act applies to the practice of massage therapy by a person either actively licensed as a massage therapist in another state or currently certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or other national certifying body if said person's state does not license massage therapists, if he or she is performing his or her duties for a Department-approved educational program for less than 30 days in a calendar year, a Department-approved continuing education program for less than 30 days in a calendar year, a non-Illinois based team or professional organization, or for a national athletic event held in this State, so long as he or she restricts his or her practice to his or her team or organization or to event participants during the course of his or her team's or organization's stay in this State or for the duration of the event. (Source: P.A. 101-421, eff. 8-16-19; 102-20, eff. 1-1-22.)