HURST, Texas -
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has revoked the massage school license of ELM Health Institute LLC in Hurst, along with multiple professional licenses held by two individuals connected to the school, following an investigation into falsified records and ties to illicit massage activity.
According to TDLR, the school, located at 1212 Melbourne Road (across from Northeast Mall), and its owners allegedly submitted false academic and internship documentation as part of students’ applications for massage therapist licenses. Texas law requires massage therapy students to complete at least 500 total training hours, including a minimum of 250 hours in person and a 50-hour in-person internship.
Investigators found contradictory attendance records indicating students were marked present for in-person classes and distance learning on the same day. In at least one case, a student told investigators she did not attend any classes in person.
TDLR officials also reported identifying numerous cases in which ELM graduates or students were employed at illicit massage businesses, including establishments that had been shut down by TDLR due to evidence of human trafficking. Investigators uncovered additional connections between the school and the illicit massage industry.
As a result, TDLR revoked the school’s license and the massage therapist, massage instructor, and continuing education licenses of:
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Petrus Evers, also known as Bas Evers or Petrus Sebastian Evers
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Jianwen Ma, also known as Jenny Ma or Jian Ma
Both individuals are now prohibited from working as massage therapists, massage instructors, or continuing education providers in Texas, and they are barred from operating a massage school in the state.
“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.”
TDLR officials said the investigation highlights the agency’s continued efforts to protect consumers and combat fraud and human trafficking within the massage industry.
