Licensing Procedures

STATE CERTIFICATION:

As of September 1, 2009 SB 731 initiated massage regulation for California Statewide Voluntary Massage Certification, thereby allowing for work in multiple California locations without the need for multiple permits and fees. SB 731 has also established criteria for the Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) and Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP) professional titles. Massage Therapists currently using ‘Certified’ in their title will have the choice to obtain Certification through CAMTC and maintain that title, or maintain their local permit(s) and delete the term ‘Certified’ in their professional title. Initially there will be some certification provisions for special circumstances such as ‘grandfathering’ long-time practitioners and applicants with out-of-state education, etc.

BTI's 250-hour program satisfies the requirements for state certification as a Massage Practitioner from one approved school. Our program is comprised of the 200-hour massage technician program, which includes 100 hours of anatomy, physiology, business and ethics, plus choice of 50 hours additional Level II or III electives.

In order for a person to call themselves a Massage Practitioner, 250 hours from an approved school are required; 500 hours for Massage Therapists. Costs for the initial application is $150.00, which lasts for two years. The renewal cost is $125.00 (renewed each two years). Since the process is just beginning, this amount may be subject to change.

State certification is advised for practitioners in Goleta, Carpinteria, and various California municipalities that require 250+ hours to practice. State Certification will supercede local requirements.

The following is an overview of pathways to CAMTC Certification:

Available Until December 31, 2015: practitioners need at least 250 massage education hours, of which at least 100 hours are in specified curriculum subjects, all at a single approved school.

For people who have completed hours outside of BTI and Available Until January 1, 2012 for Conditional Certificate: practitioner has at least 100 hours but less than 250 hours of massage education at an approved, registered or out-of-state school, but has not met required minimum number of practice hours. (For example: if you have completed 200 hours elsewhere and want to complete remaining 50 hours at BTI.)

For more information see http://www.camtc.org/

SANTA BARBARA CITY:

Apply at City Hall at De La Guerra Plaza. Their phone number is
805-564-5346, office hours: 8:00am-5:00pm.

What do I need to apply for a license? (All of this information is in the City of Santa Barbara Licensing Application packet, available at the Licensing Dep’t.):

1. A photocopy of your 200hr Certificate of Completion
2. Live Scan with the police department.
3. Two (2) recent color passport photos
4. A photocopy of your driver’s license or birth certificate as proof that you are over 18 years of age.
5. Original written statements of at least five (5) residents of the City of Santa Barbara stating you are of good moral character.
6. A statement of previous massage or business license history, etc. (see City of Santa Barbara application for details).
7. Certification from a medical doctor stating that you have, within thirty (30) days immediately prior thereto, been examined and found to be free of any contagious or communicable disease (TB).
8. Fill out the City of Santa Barbara application.
9. Pay a $52.00 processing fee.

Do I have to do anything else to receive my license? YES!

1. Between the hours of 9-12 and 1-4, Mon-Fri (except holidays), go to the Police Department Records Bureau located at 215 East Figueroa Street to be fingerprinted ($10 charge). Bring I.D.
2. Read City of Santa Barbara Licensing Application packet thoroughly. There is fine print to read, as well as another fee to be aware of (approx $100).

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY:

Apply at the Treasurer/Tax Department, 105 East Anapamu Street, Room 109. Their phone number is 568-2933 and they are open M-F from 8-5. Pay $25 (annual) fee, bring original 200 hour certificate of completion and picture I.D.

GOLETA CITY:

Apply at 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B. Their phone number is 961-7500 and they are open M-F from 8-5. Pay $230 annual fee, bring proof of 500 hours certificate of completion and a picture I.D. Applications can be downloaded at www.cityofgoleta.org.

CARPINTERIA CITY

Contact Sylvia Echeveria, Code Enforcement Supervisor, 805-684-5405 to schedule an appointment to receive an application. A Livescan is required along with a non-refundable deposit of $500. If you have a CAMTC state license the fee is $70 ($45 application and $25 business tax).