Local Massage Therapist Urges Town to Institute Licensing Requirements - Bigfoot 99 Radio

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APRIL 17, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall and Police Department – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

A massage therapist in Saratoga has urged the governing body to institute licensing requirements.

During the April 1st Saratoga town council meeting, Shandiin Talker addressed the governing body. Talker explained that she has been a massage therapist for 23 years and has a large number of clients in town. She said the council should create a way to ensure people are properly licensed before practicing massage therapy in Saratoga.

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Wyoming is one of five states, including California, Kansas, Minnesota, and Vermont, have no widespread massage therapy licensing regulations. Although, certain cities and counties within those states have their own rules regarding the legal practice of massage.

Talker explained that Wyoming lawmakers have considered instituting a state-wide licensing requirement, but the measure has not passed.

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Without a state mandate, Talker said many Wyoming municipalities have developed their own licensing regulations. The massage therapist explained that certification in her field requires a minimum of 500 hours of training.

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Talker said becoming certified is not the same as obtaining a massage therapy license, which requires additional training. A license is necessary to practice massage therapy in most US states.

Talker said people in Saratoga are practicing massage therapy without any formal training and once again urged the town council to establish massage therapy licensing requirements.

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Additionally, certified massage therapists must have professional liability insurance. Talker presented a petition signed by her fellow massage therapists, demanding the creation of minimum certification requirements in Saratoga.

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Councilman Cory Oxford asked which other Wyoming towns have established their own massage therapy licensing requirements. Talker explained that several larger municipalities have already implemented laws or are in the process of developing regulations. Additionally, a grassroots licensing campaign may prompt the state legislature to reevaluate the need for a statewide license.

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Talker volunteered to help the town determine if a person is a certified massage therapist.

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis said he would take Talker’s recommendation into consideration and offered to investigate other towns’ massage therapy licensing requirements. The matter will be discussed again during a future town council meeting.