Are you looking for information on how to become certified or receive a massage license in California?
California is unique among all other states in how it regulates massage therapy employment. Sorting through rules can be difficult and time-consuming, regardless of whether you are an existing massage therapist migrating to California or a local looking for a massage program.
I'll go over the laws in effect in California today and break them down into manageable chunks. You will soon be aware of all the requirements you must meet in order to practice massage therapy in the state.
Licensing vs Certification
The first topic we must discuss is...
In California, skilled massage therapists are certified rather than licensed.
What's the distinction?
Licenses and certifications are two distinct concepts. It is crucial to understand the distinctions between the two before beginning the certification procedure.
Licensing
A non-voluntary or required requirement is licensing. A board or department of government regulates the profession. If a legislation or act requiring licenses for massage therapists is passed, it is against the law for anybody to practice that job without one. More than 40 states grant licenses for massage therapy.
Certification
The American Massage Therapy Association claims:
“Professional certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental professional organization grants recognition to an individual who has met certain qualifications.”
In California, certification is optional, just like with NCTMB/BCTMB certification. I'll talk about how this accreditation can help the California massage industry and the general public in a moment.
California's CAMTC, or California Massage Therapy Council, offers certification.
What is CAMTC?
Not a state board, CAMTC. But it was established by the California government, and in 2009, it started accepting applications for massage certification. A privately owned nonprofit organization, CAMTC.
Like other state massage boards, the CAMTC Board of Directors is made up of volunteers. Cities, counties, police enforcement, massage schools, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and professional massage associations in California nominate each volunteer. Members of state massage boards are frequently chosen by the governor.
What does CAMTC do?
Allows Portability
Prior to the establishment of CAMTC, massage therapists in California frequently had to acquire a city/county license or permit in each city where they worked. Mobile massage licenses may be expensive and difficult to maintain. A fresh license was also necessary for therapists who were employed in one area and then accepted a position in a nearby city.
With CAMTC certification, massage therapists can offer their services for $150 anywhere in the state of California. No need to apply for various local permits.
Public Protection
The public is protected by massage laws since receiving a massage from an unskilled therapist could be dangerous. Certified therapists are subject to background checks, as well as criteria for study and exams.
On the CAMTC website, you can look up a qualified massage therapist.
Protects the CMT title
The certifications of Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) and Certified Massage Practitioner are protected by CAMTC (CMP). This title may only be used by therapists who have received CAMTC certification.
What’s the difference between a CMP and CMT?
There used to be two levels of certification: Certified Massage Therapists and Certified Massage Practitioners. CMT's have more exacting standards (500 hours or 250 hours and completion of an approved exam). California only certifies CMTs as of late.
Until they pass the MBLEx and upgrade to CMT, previously certified CMPs may only use the title "CMP" and can continue to recertify as a CMP.
Certifying Schools
In 2016, CAMTC started accrediting massage schools in California.
CAMTC does not:
- Enforce labor laws (Independent Contractor vs Employee)
- Regulate massage establishments
Is Certification Required?
Even after reading all of this, you could still be wondering, “Do I have to get certified in California to practice massage?”
No. Keep in mind that CAMTC certification is optional. Aside from when it isn't.
If you decide not to certify, you must still adhere to any local laws governing massage therapists, which may call for CAMTC certification.
An Example
Let's say you decide against certifying and instead relocate to Los Angeles. You must abide by all applicable local massage laws. According to a Los Angeles city ordinance, massage therapists must be certified by the CAMTC in order to work in massage facilities.
The city of Los Angeles Municipal Code defines a “Massage Therapist” as:
“A person who is certified as a “Massage Therapist” by the California Massage Therapy Council under Chapter 10.5 of the California Business and Professions Code”
San Mateo County Municipal Code
5.44.030 – CAMTC certification and local registration required. (a) Individuals. On and after July 1, 2012, it shall be unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation as a sole proprietorship or employee of a massage business or in any other capacity within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County unless that individual is a certified massage practitioner.
As you can see, certification has actual advantages and is necessary in many state jurisdictions. Let's move on to the procedures for becoming CAMTC certified.
Five Steps to California Massage Certification
- Meet the age requirement.
- Meet the educational requirements in the law.
- Pass a CAMTC approved exam.
- Complete a background check.
- Complete applications and pay fee.
Let's describe each stage in detail.
Step 1: Meet Age Requirement
For certification to be granted, you must be at least 18 years old.
Step 2: Meet Educational Requirements
Each applicant must successfully finish 500 hours of instruction in massage and related fields (or the credit unit equivalent).
Of the 500 hours, at least 100 hours of training must contain the following:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Contraindications
- Health and Hygiene
- Business and Ethics
A school program that has been approved by CAMTC must account for all 500 hours. Online, remote learning, and correspondence learning are not included toward the 500-hour requirement.
Thinking of going to massage school in California?
Find a CAMTC Approved Program.
CAMTC’s California Closed School Policy
Every day, massage schools close. CAMTC will not recognize any education from a California closed school for applications received after December 30, 2016, provided that institution:
- had CAMTC School Approval at the time of closure and remains in good standing, or
- that school closed and remains in good standing with a CAMTC Approved School as its official Custodian of Records.
Moving to the Golden State?
Domestic and Canadian Education
Education and training obtained outside of California must be "at least" equivalent to the standards that apply to school programs in California, according to CAMTC.
If your program has been approved by the national, regional, or state authority with "responsibility for vocational program approvals," this is a solid sign that it will satisfy CAMTC's requirements. Every state, U.S. territory, and Canadian province that registers or licenses massage therapists has a system of approval determined by CAMTC (Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
In order to determine whether the program satisfies CAMTC minimal standards, CAMTC will request a legally sealed school transcript, straight from your accredited educational institution.
Foreign Diplomas or International Education
The CAMTC website reports that one noteworthy change for 2018 is that CAMTC will no longer accept foreign/out-of-country schooling.
Step 3: Pass a CAMTC Approved Exam
After January 1, 2019, this won't be necessary! If you want to get certified at the end of 2018 but don't want to wait until 2019, you must still present documentation of passing a CAMTC-approved exam. You may learn more about the statute that was enacted, SB 1480.
The following tests are accepted by the CAMTC:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx)
- Board Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB)
- National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)
- National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)
- New York State Massage Therapy Examination
If you have already passed one of the aforementioned tests in another state, you can submit a mobility/score request form from the NCETMB or FSMTB and pay a little charge ($20–$25) to have those results sent to the CAMTC.
To become certified, you must pass one of these tests if you haven't already. In other states, the MBLEx is the most widely used entry-level test.
There is no longer an NCETMB or NCETM. Few other states use the BCETMB as a license test, and it has more time constraints than the MBLEx.
Step 4: Complete a Background Check via Live Scan
My state massage license required live scan fingerprinting in the past (Florida). Here are a few advices:
- You must have your Live Scan print made in California. The fingerprinting requirements in most other states are not the same as this.
- Prints made for prior licenses in other states cannot be reused.
- A background check and fingerprints might cost anywhere between $60 and $100.
- The places where California Live Scan providers are authorized are shown below.
- NOTE from CAMTC: Local Police and Sheriff stations might have better knowledge about obtaining legible fingerprints from massage therapists with thin or worn ridges in the pattern region. The aforementioned issue presented a significant challenge for massage therapists when Florida implemented its fingerprinting mandate. Many people had to finish their prints several times.
Fingerprinting Steps
A Massage Therapist Request for Live Scan Service form must be filled out and submitted by CAMTC candidates.
- After completing the Massage Therapist form, make two (2) copy of it.
- On the DOJ list, pick a local Live Scan Vendor.
- Get prints completed at that location. Bring:
- Completed live scan service forms (all 3 copies)
- 2 forms of ID (Driver’s license)
- Payment for service
The provider of the Live Scan service will complete the form at the bottom of the page and retain the original.
- Send CAMTC one fully filled-out Live Scan Request form. For your records, keep the other duplicate.
- You can fax this information to 916-669-5337, or
- Submit by mail:
CAMTC
1 Capitol Mall
Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814
Results from the DOJ normally arrive to CAMTC after 72 hours.
Step 5: Complete Application and Pay Fees
Here is the link to the CAMTC application. Application and certification fees total $150. In 2019, this will rise by $50.
How long does the certification process take?
According to CAMTC, applications that are comprehensive and have no background or educational concerns take about ninety (90) days to process.
Once I am certified, do I need to recertify?
Yes. The CAMTC accreditation is only valid for two years. Every two years, you need to apply for recertification.
Recertifying does not involve any continuing education (CE) requirements. Recertifying will set you back $150. In 2019, this will rise by $50.
If your certification has been out of date for more than six months, you must reapply as a new applicant and provide new livescan fingerprints in addition to meeting the required educational requirements and passing the exam.
The Future of Massage Regulation in California
It seems like California will continue to use this voluntary paradigm for the foreseeable future.
On September 22, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown renewed the Massage Therapy Act, which includes CAMTC's voluntary certification program, for a further four years (Assembly Bill 2194).
Please leave me a comment if you have any queries on how to become a certified massage therapist in California. Thanks!
