California Massage Therapy Council.

Assembly Member Berman's massage therapy reform legislation restructures oversight of California's massage profession while extending the Massage Therapy Act through 2030. The bill modifies the California Massage Therapy Council's board composition by removing the California Community Colleges Chancellor's appointment authority and requiring the private postsecondary schools' representative to come from an approved massage program. It adds a second certified massage practitioner selected by professional associations to the board.

The legislation eliminates the requirement for massage therapy certification applicants to pass a competency examination starting in 2026, though schools must inform students this exam may be needed for licensure in other states. It revises the council's investigative authority regarding applicant education credentials from mandatory to discretionary. Applicants from schools placed under investigation after their enrollment may request an interview or educational hearing to maintain certification eligibility if the school was in good standing when they completed the program.

The bill updates disciplinary procedures by specifying when criminal convictions impact certification and adding mental health determinations as grounds for council action. It removes specific dress code restrictions while maintaining the council's authority to define unprofessional attire based on industry standards. Certificate holders must now report legal name changes within 30 days. The legislation also enhances transparency by requiring council meetings to follow parliamentary procedure and mandating public comment periods for policy changes affecting certification requirements or fees.

For educational institutions, the bill expands oversight reporting requirements to include investigations by private entities authorized to approve professional certification programs. The council must make its records publicly accessible in alignment with the California Public Records Act while protecting sensitive information about certificate holders, employees, and potential trafficking victims.