California Certification

Regulations & Lower Costs Established

By Dixie Wall, Contributing Editor

With the passing of Senate Bill 731 enacting the two-tiered, voluntary certification program, grateful California massage therapists are lining up with resumes to apply for their professional certification.

Under the previous system, therapists were often required to get individual city permits to practice on clients who were in different localities. It was like requiring a seperate driver's license for every city you planned to drive in. Now, according to California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Chair Ahmos Netanel, "As a massage professional, certified by CAMTC, you now have the right to work anywhere in California without the need to obtain a police permit from any individual city or county, or to be subject to certain police massage regulations."

In late June, the CAMTC further developed the new regulations incorporating fee, exam and portal requirements into the two-tiered voluntary certification program. Below is a brief summary to help explain the eight routes into the two-tier system. The lower tier has five different portals (listed [under "Massage Practitioner"]) to become certified with the title "massage practitioner." Candidates who have fulfilled any one of these five requirements are eligible for a "massage practitioner" certificate. Similarly, professionals who have fulfilled any of the three portals in the higher tier (listed [under "Massage Therapist"]) are eligible for certification as a "massage therapist."

"Massage Practitioner"

1. 250 education hours at an approved school.
2. A valid permit or license from a CA city or county; and 100 education hours; and three years in practice and has provided 1,000 hours of massage for compensation.
3. 100 education hours; and three years in practice with 1,750 hours of massage for compensation.
4. Be an authorized massage instructor at an approved school; or a massage instructor at a school accredited by an agency recognized by USDE; or a massage instructor at a CA state college or university.
5. A "conditional certificate," available until Jan. 1, 2012, for those who have 100 hours but less than 250 education hours, but has not met the minimum number of practice hours. The condition states that the "massage practitioner" must complete at least 30 education hours a year until they meet the 250-hour requirement.

The entire massage practitioner tier will only be available until Dec. 31, 2015. After which it will be phased out and all new applicants must meet the requirements set by the higher tier.

"Massage Therapist"

The higher tier which entitles a certificate of "massage therapist" can be achieved in three different ways.

1. 500 education hours with 250 of those hours from approved schools.
2. A passing score on either the MBLEx (offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), or one of the two certification exams NCETM or NCETMB (offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork); and documented work history for at least two years.
3. Holds a current license or certification from a U.S. state or Canadian province with greater or equal requirements to CA. (Policies pending regarding massage education in other countries.)

Benefits to Regulation

However confusing these eight portals may seem, many believe the long-term benefits will outweigh the hassles of compliance. According to Beverly May, chair of CAMTC's Public Policy and Local Government Committee, "This is a messy transition period, we have a lot of work to do, and California doesn't like grandfathering. We are doing the best we can to make sure state-certified massage therapists are qualified. The reason for the two-tier system is to recognize that many massage therapists entered the profession through short school programs. Other portals to certification are to ensure fair, entry-level certification to long-time therapists who have no record of their education because the school they went to may no longer be in existence."

CA therapists can also look forward to a huge reduction of costs. The fees are as follows: $150 the first two years; $75 - $90 background check fee; $125 renewal fee every two years thereafter. In cost comparison, Netanel summarizes a study based on data collected from 8,000 therapists in more than 30 municipalities. He explained, "The weighted average amount a massage therapist has to spend for the first two years, assuming they work for an establishment, is close to $500." He continues, "However in the city of Los Angeles where there are over 4,000 therapists, the cost is $800 on average, just for the massage permit."

Under SB 731, the city cannot require a Massage Establishment Permit (MEP), other than a regular business license, if all the massage therapists in the place of business are certified by the CAMTC. This is fantastic news for many therapists and spa owners who have been hassled by a wearisome and expensive MEP process. "In Los Angeles, the Conditional Use Permit, (similar to a MEP), required to open even a one-room establishment, is filed under the adult entertainment zoning sector and can cost thousands over the multiple-step process before gaining approval to even open its doors," explained Netanel.

Certification marks an enormous victory for thousands of CA therapists who have long awaited the convenience and professionalism of statewide certification. The CAMTC is currently accepting applications. Go to www.camtc.org for information on applying for certification, regulations and other important updates.

Editor's note: As of press time, the board expects to issue the first certifications by Sept. 1, 2009.