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California Law (Last Updated: March 4, 2014) |
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Business and Professions Code - BPC |
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Division 2. HEALING ARTS |
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Chapter 10.5. Massage Therapists |
Section 4604.
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(a) Notwithstanding Section 4601, the council may grant a massage practitioner certificate to any person who applies on or before January 1, 2012, with one of the following:
(1) A current valid massage permit or license from a California city, county, or city and county and documentation evidencing that the person has completed at least a 100-hour course in massage at an approved or registered school, or out-of-state school recognized by the council as providing comparable education, has been practicing for at least three years, and has provided at least 1,000 hours of massage to members of the public for compensation.
(2) Documentation evidencing that the person has completed at least a 100-hour course in massage at an approved or registered school, or out-of-state school recognized by the council as providing comparable education, has been practicing for at least three years, and has provided at least 1,750 hours of massage to members of the public for compensation. For purposes of this subdivision, evidence of practice shall include either of the following:
(A) A W-2 form or employer's affidavit containing the dates of the applicant's employment.
(B) Tax returns indicating self-employment as a massage practitioner or massage therapist or any other title that may demonstrate experience in the field of massage.
(3) Documentation evidencing that the person holds a current valid certificate of authorization as an instructor at an approved massage school, or holds the position of a massage instructor at a school accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, or colleges and universities of the state higher education system, as defined in Section 100850 of the Education Code.
(b) (1) After reviewing the information submitted under subdivision (a), the council may require additional information necessary to enable it to determine whether to issue a certificate.
(2) If an applicant under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) has not complied with Section 4601.3, or its equivalent, when obtaining a license or permit from the city, county, or city and county, the council shall require the applicant to comply with Section 4601.3 prior to issuing a certificate pursuant to this section.
(c) (1) A person applying for a massage practitioner certificate on or before January 1, 2012, who meets the educational requirements of either paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a), but who has not completed the required number of practice hours prior to submitting an application pursuant to this section, may apply for a conditional certificate.
(2) An applicant for a conditional certificate shall, within five years of being issued the conditional certificate, be required to complete at least 30 hours of additional education per year from schools or courses described in paragraph (5) until he or she has completed a total of at least 250 hours of education, which may include massage education hours previously completed in a massage course described in either paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a).
(3) Upon successful completion of the requirements of this subdivision, the council shall issue a certificate to the person that is not conditional.
(4) A conditional certificate issued to any person pursuant to this subdivision shall immediately be nullified, without need for further action by the council, if the time period specified in paragraph (2) expires without proof of completion of the requirements having been filed with the council.
(5) Any additional education required by this section may be completed through courses provided by any of the following:
(A) An approved school.
(B) A registered school.
(C) A provider approved by, or registered with, the council or the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(D) A provider that establishes to the satisfaction of the council that its course or courses are appropriate educational programs for this purpose.
(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude the council from exercising any power or authority conferred by this chapter with respect to a conditional certificate holder.