WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 16 that agency staff-submitted comments to the Tennessee General Assembly supporting a state law exemption for animal massage therapy.
The exemption would allow non-veterinarians to practice animal massage therapy in the state. The FTC recommended the exemption because it would create more competition for professional services. According to the FTC, these services typically benefit consumers.
The exemption is currently in place but only temporarily. It is set to expire July 1, 2018, unless the Tennessee legislature takes action. If no action is taken by that date, the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners can require those who wish to practice animal massage therapy to have a veterinary license or work under veterinary supervision.
The Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Competition and Bureau of Economics at the FTC submitted the comments.
The agency voted 2-0 to issue the staff comment, which was sent to Tennessee state Sen. Kerry Roberts on Nov. 15.
Ellen Connelly of the office of policy planning and Connor Shively of the Northwest Regional Office are the FTC staff contacts for the case.