TDLR Revokes Massage Therapy School License of ELM Health Institute in Hurst and Massage Therapist, Instructor, Continuing Education Licenses

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has revoked the massage school license of the ELM Health Institute LLC in Hurst and the massage therapist, massage instructor, and continuing education licenses of two people linked to the school.

The school, located at 1212 Melbourne Road in Hurst, and its owners are alleged to have falsified academic and internship records that were submitted to TDLR as part of students’ application for massage therapist licenses. Texas requires students to attend class in person for at least 250 hours of the minimum 500 hours needed for graduation and they must also complete a 50-hour internship class in person. A TDLR investigation found that the school submitted contradictory attendance records indicating students attended classes both in person and via distance learning on the same day. At least one student told investigators that she had attended no classes in person.

TDLR has identified many cases where ELM graduates or students are working at illicit massage businesses and at massage establishments that have been closed by TDLR due to evidence of human trafficking at those establishments. The department also discovered other connections to the illicit massage industry.

TDLR revoked the school license and the massage therapist and massage therapy instructor licenses of:

• Petrus Evers, also known as Bas Evers or Petrus Sebastian Evers
• Jianwen Ma, also known as Jenny Ma or Jian Ma

The two may not work as massage therapists, massage instructors or continuing education providers in Texas, and they may not operate a massage school in Texas.

“Massage schools are expected to uphold rigorous educational standards to ultimately protect the health and safety of Texas consumers,” said TDLR Executive Director Courtney Arbour. “We will take immediate action when we find schools that are not adhering to state law.”