California Massage Therapy Council | Providing voluntary certification that enables massage therapists to practice statewide.

California Massage Law

The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) began accepting applications for CAMTC Certification in 2009. On January 1, 2023, new legislative changes became effective. The text of the Massage Therapy Act (Act) can be found at California Business and Professions Code sections 4600-4621. The Act and other relevant sections, including Business and Professions Code section 460, and Government Code section 51034, are included for convenience. These provisions are available here.

Overview of California Law pertaining to CAMTC Certified massage professionals and applicants:

Business and Professions Code section 460(a) generally provides that no city or county shall prohibit a person or group of persons certified by CAMTC from engaging in their business, occupation, or profession, or any portion of that business, occupation, or profession. Business and Professions Code section 460(b) generally provides that no city or county shall prohibit a person certified by CAMTC from “engaging in any act or performing any procedure that falls within the professionally recognized scope of practice.”

Business and Professions Code sections 4600 - 4621 generally provide for the voluntary certification of massage professionals in California by a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), organization. It also provides for CAMTC approval of massage school programs that provide massage education which can be used to obtain CAMTC Certification. CAMTC Certification allows Certified Massage Professionals to provide massage for compensation in all California cities and counties without the need to obtain multiple local permits and pay multiple permit fees. This California Law has also established educational and background criteria for certification as a CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), and limits the use of the title of Certified Massage Therapist, CMT, Certified Massage Practitioner, CMP, and certified to those who are certified by CAMTC.

Government Code section 51034 generally identifies regulations that cities and counties may not impose on massage businesses, including but not limited to defining or regulating massage businesses as adult entertainment. It also generally provides, among other things, that cities and counties may not require a CAMTC Certificate Holder to: take any test, medical exam, background or criminal background check, or comply with educational requirements beyond what is required for CAMTC Certification; obtain any other license, permit, certificate, or other authorization to provide massage for compensation; comply with a dress code requirement beyond what is specified in Business and Professions Code section 4609(a)(10); or prohibit massage of the gluteal muscles or other massage techniques identified by CAMTC as legitimate. Cities and counties cannot require showers or tubs in any massage establishment.

California Massage Therapy Council’s mission is to protect the public by certifying massage professionals in California that meet the requirements in the law and approving massage programs that meet the minimum standards for training and curriculum.

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