New Law For Massage Therapists in California
In September SB731 was signed into law, regulating the use of the titles Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Massage Practitioner and any other titles claiming certification, licensing, registration or a credential in the field of massage therapy or bodywork
Beginning September 2009, using the titles Certified Massage Therapist and Certified Massage Practitioner (any combination or inclusion of any of these words) will be state regulated. It will be considered “unlawful business practice for any person to hold oneself as or use the title of”certified massage therapist” or”certified massage practitioner” or any other term, such as “licensed,” “registered,” or “CMT,” that implies or suggests that the person is certified as a massage therapist or practitioner without meeting the requirements of the new law”
To use the title “Certified Massage Practitioner” practitioners will have to obtain certification by the state approved agency ) the requirements will include 250 hours of training from one state approved school.
To use the title “Certified Massage Therapist” practitioners must have 500 hours of training, 250 of which must be from the one state approved school and the other 250 can be from the same school or from another or combination of schools.
Certified Massage Practitioners and Certified Massage Therapists will have the same practical rights and privlidges. The difference is only in which title one uses.
For people who choose not to be certified or use these terms implying certification, local law will still apply. It is believed that all local laws may eventually be eliminated in default to state law.
Grandfathering
For people already certified with more than 100 hours but less than 250 hours before thetakes affect, the following options will be available.
1-Anyone certified with more than 100 but less than 250 hours of training that has been practicing professionally for at least 3 years, and can prove (with tax returns) that they have completed 1000 massages in the last 3 years, can apply for certification without additional hours of training.
2-Massage Therapists who do not have 3 years of experience or 250 hours of training but are certified with 150 hours of training (or will be by September of 2009) can apply for “conditional certification” which will allow them to use the title Certified Massage Practitioner while accumulating 30 hours of additional training per year until they have 250 total hours of training, at which time the conditional certification becomes unconditional (the only condition upon conditional certification is the the certification can be revoked if they fail to complete the necessary 30 additional hours of training per year)
Students who have 250 hours of training by the time the law takes effect will be able to immediately apply for certification.
From now until at least September 2009, local laws will still apply as they have in the past.
To view the law in it’s entirety click here.
Tags: massage law california, Massage Therapy regulation in California. California Ma