Massage Therapist Certification Has an Anti-Asian Problem

As Santa Barbara city officials consider a new ordinance that would mandate California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification for all local massage therapists, a wave of opposition is highlighting allegations of discrimination, financial mismanagement, and a lack of transparency within the overseeing body.

The debate forces the city to weigh the intended public safety benefits of stricter permitting against growing concerns from civil rights advocates and industry professionals. In July 2026, the Santa Barbara Independent detailed these tensions, noting that local therapists and advocates are urging the city council to reject the proposed mandate and keep the certification voluntary.

Allegations of Anti-Asian Discrimination

At the core of the local resistance is how the CAMTC treats Asian immigrant workers, who make up a significant portion of the massage therapy industry nationwide. Opponents of the proposed Santa Barbara ordinance argue that funneling workers through a mandatory certification process empowers an organization currently facing serious discrimination accusations.

In 2024, Asian Americans Advancing Justice filed a lawsuit against the private nonprofit CAMTC. According to the Santa Barbara Independent, the suit was brought on behalf of Chinese and Thai massage therapy students who allege they were denied certification due to perceived English-language deficiencies. The plaintiffs claim they were subjected to arbitrary interviews that had little to do with actual massage competency, constituting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or primary language.

Concerns regarding the organization's diversity extend to its leadership. In 2025, Hanley Chan, a veteran and former law enforcement officer, was nominated to serve on the CAMTC board. Chan noted that he possessed the relevant experience and a clear vision for how the council could better serve its diverse workforce. However, despite being the only Asian American nominee, Chan was never interviewed. The board ultimately awarded the seat without public discussion to a white male former board member who reportedly had a spotty attendance record.

Financial Scrutiny and Executive Pay

Beyond the discrimination allegations, the CAMTC has faced intense criticism over its financial practices and executive compensation. Because the CAMTC operates as a private nonprofit rather than a state licensing board, it is not subject to public records laws or standard democratic oversight, yet it retains the power to revoke livelihoods.

In 2022, the CAMTC approved a 50 percent fee increase, raising the cost of certification from $200 to $300 every two years. The Santa Barbara Independent reported that critics, including the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), argued the hike was pushed through in a manner designed to limit public scrutiny. This increase was particularly controversial because the organization had recently described itself as financially healthy, claiming it prioritized customer service and law enforcement support over hoarding excessive cash reserves.

Following the fee increase, those reserves grew significantly, as did executive compensation. In 2025, the CAMTC CEO earned an annual salary of $615,897. By comparison, the highest-paid executive officer of a state regulatory board made $149,000 according to a 2019 study, and the 2025 salary for the Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency was $247,000. For an industry where the national average income for a massage therapist was just $32,015 in 2023, critics argue these fees are exploitative.

Local Impact on the 805 Region

For Santa Barbara residents, the debate touches on broader issues of economic mobility and racial equity. Massage therapy has long served as a vital pathway to the middle class for immigrants. Policies that require certification through an organization accused of discriminatory practices risk reinforcing systemic barriers and racialized suspicion that Asian Americans have historically faced in the workforce.

Furthermore, the board's composition has drawn ire from industry professionals. Currently, several CAMTC board members represent law enforcement, while only two out of 13 seats are specifically designated for massage therapists. Critics argue this has led the organization to prioritize policing and regulatory lobbying over elevating the healing arts, prioritizing punishment over professional advancement.

What Comes Next for Santa Barbara?

Acknowledging these systemic flaws, even therapists who support stronger industry standards argue that relying on the CAMTC is the wrong approach. Major professional associations, including the ABMP and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), advocate for sunsetting the CAMTC entirely and replacing it with a truly public, state-run licensing board.

As Santa Barbara officials deliberate the proposed ordinance, opponents argue the city should maintain the voluntary framework established under California law in 2009. Instead of imposing new barriers through a contested private entity, the city could pursue its legitimate public safety and labor goals through standard business regulations, health code enforcement, and targeted policing of actual crimes—a move advocates say would protect vulnerable immigrant communities while maintaining local oversight.