California Alliance of
Massage & Bodywork Schools
CAMBS SB 412 Position Statement
09 December 2005
The Honorable Liz Figueroa
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: SB 412
Dear Senator Figueroa,
CAMBS members are concerned about the possible phasing out of the 250-hour Massage Practitioner tier. While we support realistic educational objectives, and we support the "professionalizing" of our industry, we are concerned about the negative impact this would have on our students in the future.
Around 60% of California massage schools offer programs of less than 500 hours. These schools service the needs of a highly diverse California population, including those transferring from other professions, those learning while meeting family and community responsibilities, and those of ethnic, non-English, or poor backgrounds working hard to fulfill their potential. For these groups, the 250 hour tiers meets an important and continuing economic need for rapid entry to massage practice so that their career dreams can continue.
Low-income students need to begin earning an income as soon as possible, and those who have other responsibilities such as family and job but who want to take advantage of this educational and economic opportunity might not even be able to even enter the field if required to begin with 500 hours. Many don’t qualify for education grants, and student loans simply increase their economic burden. The national trend toward requiring a minimum of 500 hours of training would close the door of opportunity for these disadvantaged people if it became the standard in California.
In a discussion with Bob Benson of ABMP and others, we came up with an alternative idea. Instead of phasing out the 250-hour massage practitioner tier in 2012, add a continuing education requirement. As of 2012 new graduates can still begin to practice with 250 hours, with the proviso that they take at least 50 hours of continuing education a year.
In five years they would reach the level of 500 hours and would be massage therapists. This would leave open the door of opportunity to our low-income students and those who can only go to school part time, while still encouraging a higher level of education.
Senate Bill 412, on the face, creates a voluntary certification. However, where the state leads, the cities and counties will likely follow. Any standard set by the state will be adopted by the cities and counties, which means that a one-size fits all law could be the beginning of the end of the great diversity of massage practice in California. Please don’t let that happen. Adopt our suggestion for retaining the 250-hour massage practitioner tier of certification.
Sincerely,
Teresa Nead
Director, California Alliance of Massage and Bodywork Schools
Cc: Bill Gage
Cc: Robin Hartley
Cc: Kathryn Scott
© California Alliance of Massage & Bodywork Schools
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Eric Grant — The RamblemuseSM
Last modified — 09 December
2005