Yes. The practice of massage therapy may be done by any person who is authorized to practice medicine, nursing, physical therapy, podiatry, or chiropractic as a part of the practice of his or her profession.
The massage that is customarily given in barber shops or beauty salons for purposes of beautification may be provided by a licensed barber or appearance enhancement practitioner as long as it is "light massage of the surface tissues solely for purposes of beautification" and is confined to those areas of the body where the licensee is authorized to provide services. This does not include manual lymphatic drainage or any other massage that is not light massage solely of surface tissues.
Persons who are employed by hospitals that are licensed or chartered by the State of New York may provide massage therapy, as long as they are under the on-site supervision of a person licensed to practice massage therapy or a physician, nurse, podiatrist, chiropractor, or physical therapist.
A student who is enrolled in a massage therapy program of a school or institute of massage therapy that is registered by the State Education Department may provide massage therapy as long as the student is under the on-site supervision of a licensed massage therapist, or other authorized person. Registered massage therapy programs must have such practice or internship courses approved by the State Education Department.
A person who is duly employed as a trainer by a professional athletic association, club or team or is employed as a member of the physical education department of an accredited university, college, or high school is also exempt from licensure as a massage therapist.
Massage therapy may also be provided by any person employed by a corporation or association organized exclusively for the moral or mental improvement of men, women or children. This exemption does not apply to churches or religious organizations. It applies only to the YMCA, YWCA, YMHA, and YWHA, or to similar organizations that specify that they are organized exclusively for the moral or mental improvement of men, women or children in their corporation or association's statement of purpose.
No. But if persons practicing these techniques claim that they are diagnosing or treating any human pain, disease, disorder or physical condition, they must be licensed in a profession that is authorized to diagnose or to provide treatment.
Yes. The Department publishes Guidelines for Practice of Massage Therapy and Precautions for Massage/Bodywork Therapy.