Licensing is one of the most important compliance responsibilities within Winning Hands. Because our therapists work inside regulated gaming environments and perform professional massage services, it is essential that every therapist is properly licensed, insured, and up-to-date on state requirements. As a supervisor, you play a critical role in helping maintain the integrity of our operation by ensuring all therapists remain compliant at all times.

State Massage Licenses: The Foundation of Compliance

Every therapist contracted with Winning Hands must be a licensed massage therapist (LMT) in the state where they are providing services. Massage licenses are regulated by each state’s individual massage board, which sets its own standards for education, renewal, continuing education, and expiration cycles.

To become licensed, therapists must complete a state-approved massage therapy program, typically consisting of 500–1,000+ hours of formal training depending on the state. This education covers anatomy, physiology, ethics, hands-on technique, and professional standards—ensuring therapists have the foundation needed to deliver safe, effective massage services.

Therapists may hold licenses in more than one state, but they must apply to each state individually, meet that state’s requirements, and maintain each license separately.

Expiration Cycles by State

Winning Hands operates in several states, each with its own licensing rules. Supervisors should be familiar with the expiration patterns to help monitor compliance and support therapists in staying current.

Florida

  • Massage licenses expire August 31st of every odd-numbered year.

  • All therapists, regardless of their personal birthdate, share this same statewide expiration.

Virginia

  • Massage licenses expire on the last day of the therapist’s birth month,

  • Renewal frequency depends on the birth year: odd birth year = odd renewal years, even birth year = even renewal years.

New Jersey

  • Massage licenses expire November 30th of every even-numbered year.

New York

  • Massage licenses expire every three years from the date of initial licensure.

Understanding these timelines helps supervisors anticipate when renewals are approaching and ensure therapists are not working with expired credentials.

Continuing Education Requirements

To maintain a license, therapists must complete continuing education (CE) hours as required by each state. CE requirements vary widely—some states require ethics hours, technique courses, or in-person training, while others accept online coursework. It is the therapist’s responsibility to complete their CE before renewal, but supervisors should be aware of these requirements so they can answer questions and encourage compliance.

Bodywork Liability Insurance

In addition to a valid state license, every therapist contracted with Winning Hands must carry current bodywork liability insurance. This insurance protects both the therapist and the company and is required in every state we operate in. Therapists must submit updated proof of insurance whenever their policy renews.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Although therapists are individually responsible for maintaining their licenses and insurance, supervisors serve as the first line of oversight. Your role includes:

  • Verifying that all therapists on the schedule have active licenses

  • Ensuring licenses and insurance documents are uploaded and up to date

  • Reminding therapists when expiration dates are approaching

  • Notifying management immediately if a therapist’s license or insurance lapses

  • Ensuring no therapist is allowed to work with an expired license

Proper licensing protects therapists, the casino, the players, and Winning Hands. By maintaining high standards of compliance, supervisors help safeguard the company’s reputation and ensure uninterrupted operations in every state we serve.

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