Massage is a regulated profession in Bulgaria. The use of non-conventional physical methods is regulated under the health law article 166.1.3. and art 167 (58). As the European register for regulated professions refer to the health law we assume that massage is covered by the above regulation. Providers can practise if they are holders of:
- A master’s degree in the professional area of medicine, dental medicine or pharmacology.
- A specialist’s or bachelor’s degree in the professional area of health care.
- A secondary education diploma and a certificate of completed training of at least four semesters at a higher medical school under terms and conditions set out by the Minister of Health and the Minster of Education and Science (58).
Massage is registered in the EU regulated professions database as follows: Masseur/Massage therapist/Spa therapist/Masseur-Aesthetician is a directly related regulated profession with title “Масажист ” (Qualified masseur/masseuse (EN)) recognized under Directive 2005/36/EC (5), ID 7563. General system of recognition- primary application. National legislation: Law on Health. Qualification level: PS3 - Diploma of post-secondary level (3-4 years) , Art. 11 d (7).
5. DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22) Amended up to March 2011, (2005).
7. The European Commission. Regulated professions database. Brussels: EUROPA; 2011 [cited 2012 February 10, ]; Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=regProf.index.
58. Solicitor Bulgaria. Bulgarian Health Act, part 2 Section, Promulgated, SG No. 70/10.08.2004, effective 1.01.2005, Chapter Six, Non-conventional methods for favourable impact on individual health Sofia: Copyright 2011 by SOLICITOR LTD; 2011 [cited 2011 November 2011]; Available from: http://solicitorbulgaria.com/index.php/legislation/health-law:45.
