B.C. massage therapist resigned before he could be suspended, college says

A massage table is seen in this file photo. (Shutterstock.com)

B.C.’s regulatory college for massage therapists has issued a public notification about a former registrant who resigned before he could be suspended for alleged sexual misconduct.

Conan Valyear resigned his registration with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of B.C. on Oct. 14, the college said in a notice published on its website Thursday.

The notice was issued on the direction of a panel of the college’s inquiry committee, which said it would have suspended Valyear’s registration if he had not resigned.

According to the notice, the college received a complaint from one of Valyear’s patients, who alleged that he had stroked her groin and breasts for nontherapeutic purposes without consent and pressed his body against the complainant’s right hand.

“The panel considered the allegations serious and recognized the presence of factors that render the alleged misconduct likely to recur,” the notice reads.

“In a prior disciplinary matter, Mr. Valyear admitted to professional misconduct in the form of non-therapeutic interactions with a patient.”

He is currently a registered massage therapist “in another jurisdiction,” according to the notice. The document does not specify where.

“Had Mr. Valyear not resigned his registration with the college as of Oct. 14, 2025, the panel would have issued an interim order to suspend him from practice, as there was no lesser measure that would adequately address the risk posed to the public,” the notice concludes.

The allegations against Valyear have not been proven. The interim order would have remained in place while the college conducted its investigation and determined whether sanctions were warranted.