California Massage Therapy Council.

Assembly Member Berman's massage therapy reform legislation restructures California's oversight of the profession while expanding local control over massage establishments. The bill modifies the California Massage Therapy Council's board composition, removing the California Community Colleges Chancellor's appointment authority and requiring the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools' appointee to represent an approved massage school. It adds another certified massage practitioner position selected by qualified professional associations.

The legislation eliminates the requirement for massage therapy certification candidates to pass a competency examination starting in 2026, though schools must inform students this may be required for out-of-state licensure. The council retains discretionary authority to investigate applicants' educational credentials rather than being required to do so. The bill also caps council staff salaries at levels comparable to certain state officers and mandates certificate holders report legal name changes within 30 days.

New disciplinary procedures require decisions based on a preponderance of evidence and allow written statements under penalty of perjury without mandating oral hearings. The council must provide 15 days notice before denying or disciplining certificates and allow appeals to the board of directors for non-criminal revocations. Schools under investigation when students begin instruction must provide opportunities for student interviews if the school was in good standing with state regulators.

The legislation extends the Massage Therapy Act's sunset date to January 1, 2030, and requires council meetings follow either Rosenberg's or Robert's Rules of Order. Policy changes affecting certification or approval require 45 days public notice and comment. The bill also expands mandatory reporting of investigations to include private entities authorized to approve professional certification programs.