| Many people are confused about massage | | | | or our 120 hour acupressure certification program |
| therapy licensing in California. Much of this | | | | will satisfy their requirements. Two main |
| confusion comes from massage therapists that | | | | exceptions in our area are the city of Auburn, |
| advertise their state certification. This is simply | | | | which requires 200 hours of training, and the city |
| not true; There is no such thing as state licensing | | | | of Sacramento which requires 250 hours of |
| or state certification for massage therapists in | | | | training, plus 12 hours of continuing education per |
| California. | | | | year. By taking one or both of our certification |
| First of all, some terms: | | | | programs plus some of our continuing education |
| Licensing versus Certification. Students obtain a | | | | classes, graduates are able to get enough hours |
| certificate when they complete a Massage | | | | to satisfy the licensing requirements of Auburn or |
| Training program from a state approved school | | | | Sacramento. |
| and then use the title of "Certified Massage | | | | One strategy some Sacramento students pursue |
| Therapist." Licensed means the massage therapist | | | | is to take our 126 hour massage certification |
| holds a business license in the local entity (city or | | | | program and then get licensed to do massage in |
| county) that they do business in. | | | | Sacramento County (Orangevale, Citrus Heights, |
| Another area of confusion is the different titles | | | | Fair Oaks, etc.). Then they can practice outside |
| and abbreviations used by massage therapists. | | | | Sacramento city limits until they complete enough |
| CMT - Certified Massage Therapist - it means you | | | | training to qualify for a Sacramento city license. |
| have a certificate as a massage therapist | | | | Once they are working in the field any continuing |
| LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist - used in some | | | | education may be tax deductible. |
| states where there is state licensing of massage | | | | Future licensing requirements may change in |
| therapists | | | | California though. Currently there is legislation (SB |
| RMT - Registered Massage Therapist - used in | | | | 412) under discussion that would license massage |
| some Canadian provinces where therapists are | | | | therapists at the state level and require 500 hours |
| registered with the province | | | | of initial education. There is a provision for a 250 |
| All licensing of massage therapists in California is | | | | hour level of certification that will be phased out |
| done by the city or the county due to the fact | | | | by 2013. In another article "Shorter Training Can |
| that California currently has no state certification. | | | | Be Better", I outline why I believe the high initial |
| The majority of cities and/or counties in California | | | | hours aren't necessarily better and have a chilling |
| require that you graduate from an approved | | | | effect on many who are just starting out and |
| program in massage therapy. Hence why some | | | | cannot afford the increased time and cost to |
| therapists advertise being a "state certified | | | | start a new business. The outcome of the |
| massage therapist." | | | | legislation is uncertain and the earliest it would |
| Licensing requirements vary greatly from city to | | | | take effect is Jan. 1, 2009. The legislation also has |
| city and county to county. In Southern California, | | | | grandfathering provisions to protect therapists |
| various communities require 500 hours of training. | | | | that are licensed or certified before the law would |
| Here in Northern California most municipalities | | | | take effect. |
| require a minimum of 100 hours of training so | | | | Now you are an expert on licensing and |
| that our 126 hour massage certification program | | | | certification in the state of California! |