California Massage Therapy Council.

The Massage Therapy Act, until January 1, 2023, provides for certification of massage practitioners and massage therapists by the California Massage Therapy Council. The act requires the council to take reasonable actions as needed to carry out its responsibilities and duties, including, among others, hiring staff, entering into contracts, and developing policies, procedures, rules, and bylaws to implement the act. The council is composed of 13 members, of which 10 members are appointed by various organizations and associations, as specified. The 10 appointed members, at a duly held board meeting in accordance with the board's bylaws, are required to appoint 3 additional members with specified qualifications, including an attorney licensed by the State Bar of California who has been practicing law for at least 3 years and who at the time of appointment represents a city in the state. This bill would instead permit the council to appoint an attorney licensed by the State Bar of California who has been practicing law for at least 3 years and who at the time of appointment represents a city, county, or city and county in the state. The act requires an applicant, to obtain certification as a massage therapist, to meet certain requirements, including having passed a massage and bodywork competency assessment examination that meets generally recognized psychometric principles and standards and that is approved by the council. The act makes this provision operative on January 1, 2023. This bill would instead make that provision operative on January 1, 2027. The bill would also provide that if an applicant has received education at a school located outside of California or a school located in a country outside of the United States that does not meet the requirements to be an approved school, the council has the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant toward certification. The bill would extend the operation of the Massage Therapy Act until January 1, 2027. This bill would also make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions. Existing law states that it is the intent of the Legislature, in extending the operation of the act to January 1, 2023, that there be subsequent consideration of legislation to create a new state board and a new category of licensed professional, as specified. This bill would remove those provisions.