Equine Massage Laws by State

This chart is a general summary compiled from state veterinary practice acts and publicly available resources (e.g.,

NBCAAM, AVMA). It is provided for educational purposes only. Laws and regulations change frequently. Always check your state’s veterinaryboard for the most current requirements.

Alabama
Allowed with veterinarian supervision. Must be under veterinarian direction; board filing required.

Alaska
Allowed. Permitted for wellness only; no diagnosis or treatment.

Arizona
Allowed. Animal massage not regulated as veterinary practice.

Arkansas
Allowed. Permitted under state law.

California
Allowed. Massage excluded from “animal physical rehabilitation” restrictions.

Colorado
Allowed. Vet involvement is common; some educational approvals apply.

Connecticut
Allowed. Permitted under state practice act.

Delaware
Allowed. No specific restrictions in practice act.

Florida
Allowed. No explicit prohibition; may require declaratory statement.

Georgia
Allowed. Statute excludes soft tissue massage from veterinary medicine.

Hawaii
Allowed with direct veterinarian supervision.

Idaho
Allowed. Not licensed; permitted if no diagnosis or prescription.

Illinois
Allowed with veterinarian referral.

Indiana
Allowed. Equine massage explicitly excluded from veterinary practice.

Iowa
Allowed. Massage defined and excluded from veterinary medicine for relaxation/hygiene.

Kansas
Allowed with veterinarian referral.

Kentucky
Restricted. Current law limits massage to veterinarians; possible regulatory changes pending.

Louisiana
Allowed with direct veterinarian supervision. Requires vet order/prescription.

Maine
Restricted. Massage listed as veterinary medicine.

Maryland
Allowed. Court cases indicate it’s not restricted to veterinarians.

Massachusetts
Restricted. Complementary therapies require veterinarian oversight.

Michigan
Allowed with veterinarian supervision.

Minnesota
Allowed. Permitted under practice act.

Mississippi
Allowed with indirect veterinarian supervision.

Missouri
Restricted. Massage not allowed for laypersons.

Montana
Allowed.

Nebraska
Allowed.

Nevada
Allowed.

New Hampshire
Allowed, with certain caveats under RSA statutes.

New Jersey
Pending. Veterinary board reviewing; decision not finalized.

New Mexico
Allowed with direct veterinarian supervision.

New York
Restricted. Must be veterinarian or vet tech under supervision.

North Carolina
Allowed. Permitted as long as not presented as veterinary medicine.

North Dakota
Allowed.

Ohio
Allowed.

Oklahoma
Allowed with veterinarian referral.

Oregon
Allowed. Board advisement allows with referral and competence.

Pennsylvania
Allowed with veterinarian supervision.

Rhode Island
Allowed with veterinarian supervision.

South Carolina
Allowed with veterinarian referral.

South Dakota
Allowed. Not veterinary medicine unless presented as treatment.

Tennessee
Allowed. Rules govern use of titles (certified/registered) and training.

Texas
Allowed with veterinarian referral.

Utah
Allowed. 2024 law permits massage with training requirements.

Vermont
Allowed with veterinarian supervision (consultation required).

Virginia
Allowed with veterinarian referral. Delegation permitted to qualified persons.

Washington
Allowed with state license required. Must complete 300-hour program and pass NBCAAM exam.

West Virginia
Allowed with veterinarian supervision.

Wisconsin
Restricted. Currently not allowed for laypersons.

Wyoming
Allowed with veterinarian supervision.