4600. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Massage Therapy Act. Whenever a reference is made to the Massage Therapy Act by any statute, it shall be construed to refer to this chapter. (Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 406, Sec. 2. (AB 1147) Effective January 1, 2015. Repealed as of January […]
4600.5. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that this act enable consumers and local governments to more easily identify certified massage professionals, provide for consistent statewide certification and oversight of massage professionals, ensure that schools approved by the council that are teaching massage provide a high level of training, assist local governments and law […]
4601. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) “Approved school” or “approved massage school” means a school approved by the council that meets minimum standards for training and curriculum in massage and related subjects, that meets any of the following requirements, and that has not been otherwise unapproved by […]
4602. (a) The California Massage Therapy Council, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 4601, is hereby established and shall carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter. (b) The council may take any reasonable actions necessary to carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter, including, but not limited to, […]
4603. Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the council in exercising its certification and disciplinary authority, and any other functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount. (Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 406, Sec. 2. […]
4603.1. Local governments shall impose and enforce only reasonable and necessary fees and regulations on massage businesses and massage establishments, in keeping with the requirements of existing law and being mindful of the need to protect legitimate business owners and massage professionals, particularly sole providers. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 411, Sec. 3. (AB 2194) […]
4604. (a) In order to obtain certification as a massage therapist, an applicant shall submit a written application and provide the council with satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets all of the following requirements: (1) The applicant is 18 years of age or older. (2) The applicant has successfully completed the curricula in massage and related subjects totaling […]
4604.1. (a) The council shall not accept applications to issue any new certificates to practice as a certified massage practitioner on or after January 1, 2015. (b) Certificates to practice as a certified massage practitioner for applications accepted prior to January 1, 2015, may be renewed without any additional educational requirements. (c) A massage practitioner certificate and any […]
4604.2. (a) A person who was issued a conditional certificate to practice as a massage practitioner shall, within five years of being issued the conditional certificate by the council, complete and report to the council the completion of, at least 30 hours of additional education per year from approved schools or from continuing education providers approved […]
4605. Except as otherwise provided, a certification issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to renewal every two years in the manner prescribed by the council. A certificate issued by the council shall expire after two years unless renewed as prescribed. The council may provide for the late renewal of a certificate. (Added by […]
4606. (a) Prior to issuing a certificate to an applicant, or designating a custodian of records, the council shall require the applicant or the custodian of records candidate to submit fingerprint images as directed by the council and in a form consistent with the requirements of this section. (b) The council shall submit the fingerprint images and […]
4607. The council may discipline an owner or operator of a massage business or establishment who is certified pursuant to this chapter or is an applicant for certification pursuant to this chapter for the conduct of all individuals providing massage for compensation on the business premises. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 411, Sec. 5. (AB […]
4608. In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, a certificate holder shall: (a) Display his or her original certificate wherever he or she provides massage for compensation. A certificate holder shall have his or her identification card in his or her possession while providing massage services for compensation. (b) Provide his or her full name […]
4609. (a) It is a violation of this chapter for an applicant or a certificate holder to commit any of the following acts, the commission of which is grounds for the council to deny an application for a certificate or to impose discipline on a certificate holder: (1) Unprofessional conduct, including, but not limited to, any of […]
4610. (a) An applicant for a certificate shall not be denied a certificate, and a certificate holder shall not be disciplined pursuant to this chapter except according to procedures that satisfy the requirements of this section. Denial or discipline that is not in accord with this section shall be void and without effect. (b) The council may […]
4611. (a) It is an unfair business practice for a person to do any of the following: (1) To hold himself or herself out or to use the title of “certified massage therapist” or “certified massage practitioner,” or any other term, such as “licensed,” “certified,” “CMT,” or “CMP,” in any manner whatsoever that implies or suggests that […]
4612. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a city, county, or city and county shall not enact or enforce an ordinance that conflicts with this chapter or Section 51034 of the Government Code. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from licensing, regulating, prohibiting, or permitting an individual who provides massage […]
4614. (a) Upon the request of any law enforcement agency or any other representative of a local government agency with responsibility for regulating or administering a local ordinance relating to massage or massage establishments, the council shall provide information concerning an applicant or a certificate holder, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (1) The […]
4615. (a) The council shall have the responsibility to determine whether the school from which an applicant has obtained the education required by this chapter meets the requirements of this chapter. (1) If the council has any reason to question whether or not the applicant received the education that is required by this chapter from the school […]
4615.5. A school offering a professional massage therapy program that has not been approved by the council pursuant to this chapter, before enrolling a student in the school, shall notify the student in writing and obtain a signed confirmation from the student that the student has received written notification of the following: (a) That the school […]
