Category — California State Massage Therapy Certification

On 1/12/2012, I had the opportunity to attend the Declaration of California Massage Therapy Awareness Day at our State Capitol. The California Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association received the Declaration due to their continued efforts on the massage legislative front. I actually got to do some chair massage at the Capitol and celebrate the recognition with my fellow AMTA volunteers.

I’ve been in the massage field for 10 years since graduating from National Holistic Institute, and in that time, due to the AMTA’s legislative efforts, getting permitted and being able to work anywhere in the State of California has gotten a lot easier. When I first graduated from NHI, I had to get a license or permit in every city or county that I wanted to practice. With the state law creating the California Massage Therapy Council in 2009, I was allowed the freedom to practice statewide.

Even though we now have this CAMTC-certification, it does not allow us to sit back and be lazy on the legislative front. The massage field is constantly changing, and so does the legislative climate. Depending on who is elected and what other groups are interested in the massage profession, laws can change. This is why the AMTA’s Government Relations team constantly works to make things better and educate lawmakers. Of course there is strength in numbers, and the more people that communicate and educate their elected officials, the better off all massage therapists are.

If serving your profession in this way interests you, there is a special AMTA-CA Legislative Day at the Capitol on February 28^th, 2012. You will meet the AMTA-CA’s legislative representatives and learn how to create relationships with your elected officials and even meet them in their offices at the Capitol. The cost is $20, but the knowledge you gain may help all massage therapists in the future.

Click here for more information on the event!

Love massages?  Love holidays?  How awesome would a massage holiday be?

The State Assembly has declared January 12, 2012, “California Massage Therapy Awareness Day!”

Just over two years ago, state-recognized certification began through the California Massage Therapy Council.  With over 27,000 CAMTC-certified massage professionals to date, the California State Assembly is recognizing the strength of the massage therapy profession by naming a whole day in our honor.

California Assemblyman Bill Berryhill, Vice Chairman of the Assembly Business & Professions Committee, is arranging the resolution (Assemblymembers Hayashi, Ma and Butler signed/co-authored). He will present a framed copy of the resolution to Melissa Colburn, California Chapter President of the American Massage Therapy Association, and Patricia Rusert Gillette, AMTA-CA Greater Sacramento Area Unit President, on the Floor of the Assembly on Thursday, January 12^th, during Assembly Session.

Professional members of the AMTA-CA chapter from the area who are CAMTC-certified will be providing complimentary chair massages to the public.  John Lambert, an NHI teacher and graduate, will be among them.

National Holistic Institute is proud to take part and see our profession officially honored by the State of California!

The California Massage Therapy Council has existed for just 2 short years. Within that time over 20,000 massage therapists have reaped the benefits the CAMTC certification has offered. The best benefit in my opinion is the flexibility to work in more than one city or county and not have to get multiple permits to do so.

At one time I would have had to get 3 permits to work in 3 cities that were 5 minutes from my door step. The cost would have been in the thousands, and would cut into my profit margin severely.  Since I’ve been CAMTC certified I have gladly only paid for my certification and business license and been perfectly happy spending the extra money on myself!

So why am I writing about this now? It’s time to recertify! I just received my notice in the mail. In the 2 years since I received my certification over 30,000 therapists have applied for CAMTC certification.

Another reason is that Assembly Bill 619 just passed and was signed into law by the Governor of California. There are several changes implemented with this bill, but one of most importance to CAMTC certified therapists is that you are now required to use the name on your certificate and your certification number on any and all advertisements you use. You must also display your name and certification number at your place of business.

For more information on AB 619 go to www.amta-ca.org and click on the State Legislation tab. If you are interested in recertification or want to get more information on being CAMTC certified; go to www.camtc.org . Now I’m off to fill out my application and continue to utilize the benefits of my CAMTC certification!

John Lambert, CAMTC #278

Our 400 hour Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program has been growing rapidly since Cynthia Ribeiro (AMTA President-Elect) formulated the curriculum with NHI from her own popular Advanced Neuromuscular courses.  The program builds on the skills and knowledge that students who completed a comprehensive massage therapy program have already aquired.  This extra education puts graduates ahead of the competition and prepares them to be confident and knowledgeable in massage positions that require a deeper understanding of the science and anatomy behind massage therapy.

Hear from our graduates and instructors as they give you their personal perspective on how the program can open doors

Graduates of the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program will be able to evaluate and differentiate between myofascial pain or dysfunction, as opposed to injury, and to employ effective techniques to address these issues with significant client results. They will be able to work as Massage Therapists in Pain Management settings such as Hospitals, Doctors’ offices, Physical Therapists’ offices, Rehabilitation Centers, in high-end spas and resorts, with sports teams and Sports Medicine settings, and as private practitioners with independent or referral-based clients.

To learn more about the program or contact an Admissions Representative,
Visit  http://nhi.edu/contact/index.html
or
Call  (800) 315-3552

What makes a massage school successful?  National Holistic Institute panelists shared many secrets for success at last week’s American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) School Summit.  San Jose Campus Manager Beth McNeil moderated a spirited discussion among audience members and Vice-President of Education Linda Rikli, Petaluma Campus Manager Tiahna Skye, Vice-President of Admissions Jennifer Jhanda, Admissions Manager Raquel Rodriguez, and Dean of Students Ron Peat.  NHI President Tim Veitzer cheered on from the audience.  Hot topics included student retention methods, admissions policies for special circumstances, faculty training, and maintaining consistency across multiple campuses.

Left to Right: Beth McNeill, Linda Rikli, Tiahna Skye, Jen Jhanda, Raquel Rodriguez and Ron Peat. AMTA Schools Summit NHI Panel

Several audience members expressed difficulties trying to place graduates while dealing with often slow state licensing processes.  NHI representative and California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Board Member Joe Bob Smith explained how this wasn’t a problem in California since [Read more →]

A couple of recent headlines show the growing strength of the massage therapy profession.

First, Massage Today reports the breaking news that Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed AB1822.  Sponsored by the California Police Chiefs Association, this bill originally would have eliminated state-recognized certification.  In its diluted final draft, it would have added two law enforcement officials to the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Board, an unprecedented act for a professional board in the state of California.  The bill will need 2/3 vote to pass now, a bar it’s unlikely to achieve.  The governor’s veto recognizes the size, voice and respectability of the massage therapy profession.  Click Here for the full article.

Also in the news, the Los Angeles Times ran a story about how a single massage can boost the immune system.  This story appeared in several media outlets and highlighted research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.  Click Here for the full article.

Thanks to the many individuals and organizations whose support of research and lobbying help make better working conditions for all massage therapists.

AB 1822, a bill currently before the California Senate, would considerably weaken and potentially jeopardize state certification for massage therapy.

A vote could come any day, so we must ACT NOW!

• An email can be sent to all Senators through this link – http://www.massagetoday.com/bill1822/stop_ab1822.php
• Here is the latest news story about what’s going on – http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14280

 In writing to the Senators, please highlight the following points: 

• Vote NO on AB 1822!
• Legitimate massage therapists have a right to work without being looked upon as criminals.
• State certification protects the public better than the previous patchwork of local ordinances.

Everyone, please write in; tell a hundred of your closest friends to write in; and let’s keep state certification alive and strong!!

On September 1, 2009, California joined 42 other states in providing state-wide regulations for the massage therapy profession.  National Holistic Institute celebrated this tremendous achievement by hosting a series of Grad Nights at all of our campuses.  The purpose of these events was to help our graduates understand and apply for the new California State Certification.  Over 230 grads attended – and we’re only 1 month into State Certification!

Thanks to Placement Manager Allison McLeod Budlong and her amazing Placement Team, attendees were able to [Read more →]

Last Thursday, the National Holistic Institute campus in Encino opened its doors to the California Massage Therapy Council – the organization charged with creating the voluntary statewide massage certification for California.  The board meeting covered such topics as credentialing and the proposed application process.  As the September 1 start approaches, refer to this blog for breaking news.

NHI Co-Owner and CAMTC Treasurer Mason Myers with fellow Board Member Beverly May

CAMTC Chairman Ahmos Netanel with Board Member Roberta Rolnick

CAMTC Board Member Dr. Paul Schwinghammer with Executive Director Cheryl Oliver

NHI Owners Mason Myers & Tim Veitzer

Mason Myers, co-owner of the National Holistic Institute, hopes his new role on the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) will help cut through the governmental red tape that has plagued professional massage therapists in California.

Appointed by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) to voice massage education issues, Mr. Myers was elected treasurer during the Council’s inaugural meeting on February 19, 2009.  He will work alongside appointees from the California chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association, (AMTA-CA); Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP); California counties, cities, colleges, and Department of Consumer Affairs; as well as other affiliated parties.

“State certification will provide California massage therapists a more practical and affordable solution than the current patchwork of local licensing.  Ensuring the same standards for all therapists across the state will further elevate the reputation of the massage profession and improve consumer confidence,” declares Mr. Myers.

The California Massage Therapy Council is a non-profit organization ordained by the State of California to oversee the issuance of state-wide massage therapist certifications.  State certifications will begin being issued sometime after September 1, 2009.  Stay tuned to this blog for more information as that time approaches.