Business and Professions Code section 18653

No person shall train a professional boxer or kickboxer or martial arts athlete unless he or she has been licensed by the commission. A professional trainer is someone who is responsible for the day-to-day training of those athletes and possesses a minimum of five years experience in combative sports. Only professional trainers licensed by the commission may make a recommendation to the commission on whether a contestant is prepared for his or her first amateur mixed martial arts bout or to turn professional in boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts. A professional trainer shall be present in the corner of the contestant unless otherwise authorized by the commission or the executive director.

Source: Section 18653, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=18653.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2014; accessed Jun. 25, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 25, 2025

§ 18653's source at ca​.gov