California

Assembly Bill 1504 seeks to evaluate the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) by assessing its effectiveness—and downfalls—through what's known as a "sunset review process" and implementing any resulting recommendations. ABMP believes California must sunset the CAMTC and join the majority of the country in establishing statewide massage licensure. Voice your opinion on the bill ahead of the April 29 committee hearing.

The California Massage Therapy Council approved a $100 certification fee increase—a 50 percent markup from the previous $200. Now is the time to forward your comments to your legislators to explain how this affects you.

The California Massage Therapy Council voted 5–1 to raise massage therapy certification fees to $300, a 50 percent increase, beginning April 1, 2023.

The California massage therapy community has an opportunity to join 45 other licensed states by instituting professional licensing in place of the current uneven, incomplete voluntary certification process administered by a private organization, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).

After being postponed in 2020, the California Massage Therapy Act is up for sunset review this legislative session. The Committee on Business and Professions is hosting a meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. PST and you can attend virtually. You can also submit comments to the committee if you think CAMTC should continue or licensure should be considered.

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) into law on September 18, 2019. It will become effective on January 1, 2020.