5.32.130 Practitioner permit exemption option.
A. The city recognizes that some massage professionals currently practicing in Bakersfield may not meet the current requirements set forth by the CAMTC, even though the person has been in practice for a significant period. The city will allow such persons to bypass the CAMTC requirement of Section 5.32.020 if they show all of the following:
1. Must apply for this exemption with the Bakersfield police department within thirty days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter; and
2. Must show that he or she has had a massage practitioner permit for the past ten consecutive years (April 2008 to April 2018) with no time lapse; and
3. Must show to the satisfaction of the police department that he or she has not been issued any warnings or citations regarding issues with their massage practitioner permit or with their establishment permit.
B. Terms. Persons that are granted an exemption from the CAMTC certification requirement will still be required to meet all other terms of this chapter, including but not limited to being issued a practitioner permit as set forth below and going through a background check. This exemption must be renewed annually with the Bakersfield police department prior to the expiration date of the practitioner’s permit.
C. Practitioner Permit Application. Every person desiring a practitioner’s permit under this section shall complete and submit to the Bakersfield police department a written application in a form approved by the chief of police or designee. In order to qualify for a practitioner permit, a massage professional must satisfy one of the following criteria:
1. If self-employed or employed at a permitted massage establishment, have received a diploma or certificate of completion in a course of study in massage at a recognized school of massage or institution approved pursuant to the California Education Code; or
2. Have received a certificate of completion in a course of study at an institution outside California which, in the opinion of the chief of police or designee, meets or exceeds the criteria for approval for such programs in California; or
3. Have successfully passed an independently prepared and administered national certification examination which is recognized by objective standards to fairly evaluate professional levels of skill, safety and competence, as determined by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. (Ord. 4963 § 1, 2019; Ord. 4931 § 1, 2018)