Massage Therapists Now Legally Recognized as Health Care Providers: What It Means for Your Care

If you’ve had a massage at Resolve Wellness, you know that our approach to massage goes far beyond simple relaxation. Our team has always focused on clinical results – providing relief for chronic pain, aiding in post-surgical recovery, and enhancing mobility.  

Today, we are pleased to share a major milestone that reflects this commitment: As of January 2026, California law now officially recognizes Certified Massage Therapists (CMTs) as Health Care Providers. This change, ushered in via AB 1504, marks a shift in how the profession is viewed across the state. Instead of being categorized as a “personal service,” massage therapy is now legally acknowledged as an essential healthcare service.  

While many of the changes that will come from this law have yet to be seen, we understand that this change could raise some important questions for our clients. Here are some insights on how this change could impact your massage experience. 

 

Will Massage Therapists Now Need to Comply with HIPAA and CMIA? 

Yes, as legally recognized health care providers, California massage therapists will now be held to both federal law (HIPAA) and state law (CMIA). The California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) is often more strict than HIPAA. Massage therapists who do not comply with these laws could find themselves in legal trouble. 

At Resolve Wellness, our clinics have operated under medical-grade HIPAA and CMIA privacy standards since our founding. We can assure all our clients that the infrastructure to protect your medical data is already in place. Your health records, progress notes, and treatment plans are handled at the same level of professional security that you would expect from a doctor’s office.  

Does This Mean Massage Therapists Will Need More Schooling? 

As of right now, no; the legal standard for certification remains 500 hours of specialized education through an accredited school. However, the “Health Care Provider” designation could cause a shift in the level of medical education provided during schooling and may trigger a requirement for massage therapists to maintain ongoing continuing education after their initial schooling. 

At our clinics, we have always gone above and beyond the minimum required education.  In addition to only hiring the most medically-informed and well-trained massage therapists, we provide our MTs with support for continuing education, meaning most of our massage therapists are trained well beyond the level you would find in a spa setting. Our therapists also receive specialized training to work within the physical therapy environment, meaning they are already trained in clinical reasoning, pathology, contraindications, and integrated care. 

Will Doctors Start Referring for Massage Now? 

We expect that our designation as health care providers will increase the flow of referrals from physicians. At Resolve Wellness, we already have a strong relationship with local doctors; however, this change will likely make it easier to build those relationships. While you don’t need a referral to come see us (since we currently cannot accept insurance, see below for details), we do recommend that if you have an underlying health condition, to consult your doctor before booking an appointment with us. Always inform your massage therapist of any new or ongoing conditions you have that need to be accounted for during your session. 

Is Massage Therapy Covered by Insurance in California? 

Currently, massage therapy is not covered by insurance. The new distinction of massage therapists as health care providers has the potential to lead the way for this to change in the future. While we cannot accept insurance currently, at Resolve Wellness, your HSA or FSA funds can be applied to cover massage services. 

The Bottom Line 

Our belief that “Self-Care is Health Care” is becoming more widely recognized. This shift in legal recognition is a validation of the clinical standards we have always upheld at our clinics. While we are excited to see what this change entails for the future of our industry, for now, we already meet the requirements of the law and will continue to provide you with the excellence of care that we have established as our standard. Thank you, as always, for trusting us with your care.  

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Author: Erynne Hill, MS, ATC, HHP, BFRC, is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nationally Certified Athletic Trainer who has been a part of the healthcare field since 2002. She is the Director of Resolve Wellness, specializing in manual lymphatic drainage and prenatal massage. Erynne has extensive knowledge of both massage therapy and physiology, receiving her Master's degree in Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University.