Minnesota sets therapist rules and allows pharmacist treatment

The health commissioner registers massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists and enforces rules for their work. The registration rules cover people who use protected massage therapist or Asian bodywork therapist titles in Minnesota. Applicants must meet education and exam requirements, carry required liability insurance, pay fees, and pass a criminal background check. Other complementary health practitioners may continue their work if they do not use protected titles or claim to be registered. Starting January 1, 2028, only registered people may use protected titles such as “registered massage therapist.” Starting July 1, 2028, state rules replace city licensing of these therapists, though cities may still license businesses.

A person must hold a state license to practice music therapy. The rules cover people who practice music therapy or present themselves as licensed music therapists in Minnesota. Applicants generally need a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy, board certification, and a background check. Exceptions cover people using music as part of another licensed profession, students in accredited programs, and people working under a licensed music therapist without being presented as music therapists. The license requirement takes effect January 1, 2028.

A pharmacist may prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs to treat opioid use disorder. This applies to pharmacists treating opioid use disorder with legend drugs and Schedule III through V controlled substances. The pharmacist must decide treatment is medically needed, document care, complete required training, and obtain federal registration when prescribing a controlled drug. Before dispensing, the pharmacist must counsel the patient about proper use and follow-up. The pharmacist cannot delegate prescribing authority.

An athletic trainer must work under a physician's supervision, prescription, and collaboration. The rules cover licensed athletic trainers treating patients, including people who were not previously diagnosed. Trainers may treat patients within their training and experience, and must refer patients whose conditions are outside their scope. A trainer providing a service represented as physical therapy in a clinical, corporate, or physical therapy setting must work under a physical therapist's direct supervision. At the primary work site, trainers may evaluate and treat a patient who has not been diagnosed for up to 30 days from the first evaluation and treatment.

A physical therapist may supervise up to two assistants without being on site. These rules cover physical therapists and the assistants they supervise. At least every six treatment sessions, the therapist must observe part of a session in person or by telehealth and document a discussion with the assistant about whether the care plan remains appropriate. The observation and discussion are required at least every six treatment sessions provided by the assistant.