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SB 246NEW MEXICOSession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

New Mexico requires state licenses for massage therapy establishments and photo IDs on practitioner licenses

Original title: MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE CHANGES

Last action · February 18, 2026: HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendationSponsors: Heather Berghmans and 1 other

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

New Mexico requires s to obtain a state license starting January 1, 2027, and mandates that all new or renewed practitioner licenses issued on or after July 1, 2026, include a current photograph. The legislation expands the Massage Therapy Board's enforcement powers, allowing establishment inspections at any time during operation and establishing misdemeanor penalties for operating an unlicensed facility.

Why it matters

Massage facility owners and practitioners face new operational requirements, mandatory licensing fees, regular facility inspections, and potential criminal misdemeanor charges or license revocation for operating without an establishment license.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Massage therapists

Practitioners must include a current photograph on new or renewed licenses issued on or after July 1, 2026, and face professional disciplinary actions for working at unlicensed establishments.

Directly affected

Massage therapy establishment owners and operators

Owners must obtain a state establishment license by January 1, 2027, comply with minimum health and safety standards, submit to unannounced or operational inspections, and face misdemeanor charges for operating without a license.

Directly affected

Massage Therapy Board

The board gains authority to establish establishment licensing procedures, conduct inspections at any time during operation, set health and safety standards, and issue fines or take disciplinary action.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do massage therapy establishments need to be licensed?
On or after January 1, 2027, a person shall not maintain, manage, or operate a unless it is licensed by the board.
Are doctor's offices or hospitals required to obtain a massage therapy establishment license?
No. Exempt facilities include licensed health facilities, federal agency facilities (such as those run by the Department of Defense or Bureau of Indian Affairs), and health care offices managed by licensed practitioners like physicians, chiropractors, nurses, or physical therapists.
What happens if a massage therapist fails to renew their license on time?
A sixty-day grace period is allowed after the end of the renewal period, during which the license may be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee and a late fee. If not renewed after the grace period, the license is placed on for up to two years before automatically expiring.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.

Procedural history

7 actions
  1. Feb 18, 2026House
    HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
  2. Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee
    Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
  3. Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
    Passed in the Senate - Y:22 N:17
  4. Feb 15, 2026Senate
    SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
  5. Feb 12, 2026Senate
    SHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
  6. Feb 4, 2026Senate
    SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
Show 1 earlier action
  1. Feb 3, 2026SenateCommittee
    Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Heather BerghmansSenate · District 15DemocraticPrimary sponsor
Pat WoodsSenate · District 7RepublicanCosponsor

Connected Entities

Pat Woods, Heather Berghmans, State of New Mexico
PersonPat Woods“Introduced Senate Bill 246 in the New Mexico legislature.”Map →
PersonHeather Berghmans“Introduced Senate Bill 246 in the New Mexico legislature.”Map →
locationState of New Mexico“Jurisdiction where the legislation applies.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.nmlegis.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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