Category — California State Massage Therapy Certification

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 →]

The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) has released the much anticipated application for California state massage therapy certification.  The CAMTC will begin issuing the certifications in September.  As previously announced, the fee is $150 for 2-years (only $75 per year!).

You can download the instructions and application at www.camtc.org.

The application is designed to be filled out on the computer, then printed, signed and mailed in.  However you cannot save the filled out application to your computer – only print.  If you need it, there is a pdf version of the application that you can dowload, print, and fill in by hand.

NOTE: The Livescan form is not ready yet and will need to be submitted at a later date.

NHI Students & Graduates:  Your transcripts need to be mailed directly to the CAMTC by NHI.  The most efficient way to make this happen is to visit our website at http://nhi.edu/alumni/tools/document_request.html.

The California Massage Therapy Council has announced the application fee for the new state-wide massage therapist certification will be $150.

This comparably low fee is made even lower by the fact that it covers the first 2 years.  Subsequent 2-year renewals are expected to be $125.

By meeting the mandated training requirements, all NHI graduates will need to get state certified, in addition to the fee, is (1) a completed application (not yet available), (2) passport photo, (3) livescan background check ($50-$85), and (4) a sealed NHI transcript delivered directly to the CAMTC.

As CAMTC Treasurer, NHI co-owner Mason Myers worked diligently to keep the application fee as affordable as possible.  With his continued participation, we will update you on when applications become available and any other breaking news.

For massage therapists who do not have at least 500 verifiable hours of training, there are 7 other pathways to certification.  Please visit www.camtc.org for more information.

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.

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times Health section ran a cover story discussing the upcoming California state massage certification.  The article also points out some of the medical benefits massage promotes.  Click here to read the complete article.

On Saturday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 731 into law, at long last providing state certification for massage therapy here in California!

Don’t tear up your local permits just yet.  Certifications will not be issued until at least September 1, 2009.  Between now and then, a governing board must be created to develop policies and establish the necessary infrastructure.  The law only defines the general terms; we must wait for this new Massage Therapy Organization (MTO) to flesh out the details.

This is a voluntary certification.  So, if you’re happy with your current local status, then you don’t have to do it.  However, those who do get a state certification can practice anywhere in the state without having to secure massage therapy licenses from individual cities or counties.  But, considering 83% of respondents to a recent ABMP poll were in favor of the state law, it’s likely that many cities and counties eventually will stop issuing their own local licenses in favor of the state certification.

The ABMP’s Bob Benson says, “While highly imperfect, and some distance from the original legislative draft, SB 731 appears to solve a huge problem with the practice of massage within California. This law looks at bona fide massage therapists as professionals, not as suspect providers of illicit services. Those electing to become certified will be able to have their qualifications vetted by a knowledgeable massage organization rather than by local police departments. Discriminatory zoning rules singling out massage therapists could no longer be enforced against individuals certified by this new massage organization.”

The law defines a massage therapist as having 500 hours or more of training, but makes accommodations for those currently working who may have fewer hours of formal education than that.  Some of your heads may be spinning with questions right now.  I recommend holding off until we know more.  As the MTO takes shape and more specifics fall into place, this blog will keep you informed.

Many people have worked years to make this happen.  Among them, we’d like to thank the AMTA, ABMP, Massage Envy, the California Chiropractic Association and State Senator Jenny Oropeza who sponsored the bill.

You can read more at ABMP.com and AMTA-CA.org.

Curious about the California state massage certification bill?  Having fully passed out of the legislature after many years, it is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.  Unfortunately, he has vowed to sign no bills until the state budget has passed.  We’re crossing our fingers that the budget and subsequently the massage bill are signed soon.  Assuming that happens, we could have a state certification as soon as September 1, 2009.

While this bill does not solve all problems, it’s a good start.  Of course, some opposition remains.  Mainly, those opposed prefer little to no regulation and/or training hour requirements below 500 hours.  Without debating the merits of those arguments, that doesn’t seem to be a realistic option.

Let’s look at a couple of examples to demonstrate my point.  I could make a case that there are advantages to driving on the left-hand side of the road as they do in England.  But, since the rest of our country drives on the right-hand side of the road, it would be costly, time-consuming, difficult, and dangerous to convert everyone to my line of thinking.  Similarly, Betamax and VHS once fought it out to be the standard for videotapes.  By all accounts, Betamax was the better technology.  But for better or worse, the people went with VHS.

Thirty-nine states regulate massage, with more doing so each year.  The national standard for training in those states is 500 hours, but that too is increasing.  New York and Nebraska are already at 1,000 hours.  Additionally, the federal government requires a minimum of 600 hours to receive federal student loans and even more training hours to be eligible for federal grants.  So, regardless of whether you like the idea of regulating massage or agree with the 500-hour minimum, that’s where the tide is going.

Massage in California is already regulated, just not uniformly.  Every city or county decides and enforces its own rules.  This practice continues even as we look toward a future with state certification.  Just this week I was interviewed on the subject by a reporter for the San Bernardino County Sun.  He was researching an article about the city of Fontana recently upgrading their massage requirements to 600 hours.  You can read about it below:

http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_10394126

While state regulation may not solve all problems (and may even create a few new ones), the current regulation patchwork is a disaster for the vast majority of massage therapists across the state.  Paying for multiple licenses, meeting different requirements, and increased competition from better trained therapists are just three of the many issues faced now by therapists.  Let’s hope the state bill becomes effective soon for the benefit of all!