Protecting the Right to Practice and Teach Qigong

The National Qigong Association (NQA) supports responsible training and practice standards in Qigong. We also stand firmly for protecting the accessibility of Qigong across all its forms. Whether practiced individually, taught in community settings, or integrated into clinical care.

Recent legislation in Massachusetts highlights why continued vigilance is essential. Two bills, H.422 and S.261, propose licensing frameworks that may impact Qigong’s future:

• H.422 (House Bill 422) proposes a voluntary licensure pathway for Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT). While the bill includes an exemption for Qigong, its broad regulatory authority and advertising restrictions raise concerns about potential future overreach and confusion among instructors.
• S.261 (Senate Bill 261) is more restrictive, mandating licensure for a wide category called Alternative Healing Therapies, explicitly including Qigong. This bill would require Qigong practitioners to obtain licensure, pay annual fees, carry liability insurance, and complete credentialing through Western-style standards that are misaligned with Qigong’s traditional training models. This could dramatically limit access, especially in underserved communities.

While H.422 may appear limited in scope, and S.261 claims to ensure safety, the real-world effect could be to restrict a low-risk, evidence-supported healing art that is used widely in VA hospitals and health centers across the country without licensure.

What’s at Stake?

• Do you believe you should need a license to teach or practice Qigong?
• Should local massage or acupuncture boards define what qualifies as Qigong?
• Are you concerned that grassroots teachers, elders, or cultural holders could be excluded by new training or insurance mandates?
• Do you want Qigong to be grouped under massage or “bodywork” regulations when it is not the same?

Our Position

The NQA opposes any legislation that would:

• Limit the right to teach, practice, or share Qigong without unnecessary licensing
• Reclassify Qigong under unrelated professional boards
• Exclude traditional, community-based, and mentorship-driven training pathways
• Reduce affordable access to Qigong for veterans, elders, and underserved communities

We believe Qigong should remain self-governed, with its own professional standards, and recognized for its unique roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and spiritual practice.

Stay Informed

Want to see who’s making decisions on these bills?

👉 Visit the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
This committee is currently reviewing both H.422 and S.261.

Take Action with Confidence

We’ve prepared formal letters of opposition that explain why these bills are problematic for Qigong practitioners. Feel free to read them, use them to inform your own outreach, or adapt them when contacting legislators.

📄 Letter of Opposition to H.422 (PDF)
📄 Letter of Opposition to S.261 (PDF)

Get Involved

We need individuals in every state to help:

• Monitor legislation
• Speak to legislators
• Serve as local liaisons for advocacy
• Connect with allied organizations

If you’re ready to help protect the future of Qigong, contact our Legislation Chair at legislation.chair@nqa.org.

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