Massage therapy is an alternative health career with a primary emphasis on health and wellness. It is a great career choice for those who may one day wish to start their own business.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in California
Getting started is not hard. You really just need to get the proper training. See top schools below.
Afterwards, you can start applying for jobs and consider CAMC certification (optional). More on this below.
A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma is typically a requirement for admission to all programs.
Top Massage Therapy Schools in California
- Ontario
- San Francisco, San Jose
- Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton
- Garden Grove, North Hollywood, San Bernardino, San Diego
- Cerritos,
- Paramount
- Clovis, Modesto, Redding
- Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Palm Desert, Visalia, Fairfield, La Quinta
- Emeryville, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, San Jose, Studio City, Santa Ana, Ontario, Modesto, Redding, Clovis
- West Covina, Pomona, Glendale, Riverside, Anaheim, Long Beach, San Diego, Bakersfield
- San Francisco
- Ontario
- Reseda
Arizona College of Nursing (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Aveda Institutes (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Carrington College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
9 month program certificate program that preps students for entry level jobs as a licensed massage therapist.
Concorde Career College (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
Fremont University (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Healthcare Career College (Rating: 3.6 out 5)
Institute of Technology (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
10 month hybrid program that preps students to take the Massage Licensing Exam.
Milan Institute (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
The Massage Therapy program at Milan Institute prepares students to become professional massage therapists in just 34 weeks through a curriculum combining Eastern, Western, and modern techniques. Students gain hands-on experience in anatomy, physiology, deep tissue massage, spa techniques, and business management while working with real clients in the institute’s student spa. Graduates are equipped to sit for the state board licensure exam and pursue careers in diverse settings such as health spas, physicians’ offices, and private practices.
National Holistic Institute (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
A college dedicated to advanced massage therapy with day, night and weekend classes. No high school diploma needed. Accredited by ACCET.
North-West College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork (Rating: 5 out 5)
The San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork offers a 600-hour Massage Therapist Program that can be completed in as little as 6–11 months, with flexible day, evening, and part-time schedules. Students gain hands-on training in a student clinic while mastering a variety of massage modalities, anatomy, and business practices. Graduates are eligible for California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) state certification and meet the core requirements for National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) credentials.
School of Holistic Touch, Inc (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Offers affordable massage education, with a customizable schedule (morning, evening, and weekend options available). 500 hour MT programs.
Southern California Health Institute (Rating: 4 out 5)
SOCHI offers a fast track, 9 month MT program in hybrid format.
How Long Does it Take?
Most massage therapy training programs include about 500 hours of classroom study. This is about 3 months at a full time rate or 6 months part time.
What Do You Study?
Here are 10 things you learn in a massage therapy class:
- Hands-on experience in a supervised clinic, focusing on client assessment, treatment planning, and massage skills.
- The history and foundational principles of massage therapy as a profession.
- Anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the neuro-musculo-skeletal systems.
- Detailed anatomy of muscles and understanding of human movement (kinesiology).
- Practical skills in using massage equipment and performing basic massage strokes.
- Anatomy and physiology of the body’s other systems and related common pathologies.
- Treatment planning for a range of typical and special populations.
- Techniques for addressing common musculoskeletal complaints.
- Strategies for building and marketing a massage therapy practice.
- State law requirements and ethical considerations for massage practitioners.
Training
Most programs will also offer hands-on training that provides students with experience using various massage modalities. Most training programs focus on one or two treatment methods and offer job placement assistant.
California Massage Therapy School Accreditation
Visit the California Council of Massage Therapists (CAMTC) for details regarding specific educational requirements for massage therapists in California and a list of accredited schools.
As per the CAMTC, “massage therapy schools must either be nationally accredited, state approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), or a California community college.”
In most cases, massage therapy training programs are accredited by a State board, as well as an independent accrediting agency.
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is a non-profit independent accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
As per the Web site of the agency, “The mission of COMTA is to advance the quality of education in the field of massage therapy through an accreditation process that recognizes the evolving professional standards of practice.”
As per COMPTA, 38 states (including California) now regulate the training of massage therapists.
Massage Therapist Salary in California
Median earnings of Massage Therapists in select California cities are as follows:
| Area | Hourly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Chico | $38.15 | $79,350.00 |
| Fresno | $29.19 | $60,710.00 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $27.88 | $57,990.00 |
| Napa | $20.11 | $41,830.00 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $25.21 | $52,450.00 |
| Redding | $27.79 | $57,810.00 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $25.19 | $52,400.00 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade | $26.24 | $54,570.00 |
| Salinas | $33.30 | $69,260.00 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $24.55 | $51,070.00 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $30.01 | $62,410.00 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $29.52 | $61,400.00 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $23.39 | $48,650.00 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $31.35 | $65,210.00 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $22.12 | $46,000.00 |
| Santa Rosa | $27.58 | $57,360.00 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $25.27 | $52,560.00 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $26.09 | $54,270.00 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $24.96 | $51,910.00 |
Occupation: Massage Therapists (SOC Code319011)
Licensing Requirements in California
Per the CAMTC Web site prospective massage therapists are no longer required to obtain certification after graduating from an accredited training program. The law in California changed and passing a CAMTC exam will not be a requirement December 31, 2027.
National Licenses
There are two agencies that provide licensure:
1) National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage (NCMTMB)
2) Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy (FSBMT).
In both cases, you’ll need to apply to take their exam, pay their fee (costing between $195 – $225), and pass the exam before gaining licensure.
Job Description
Treatment Methods
While most massage therapists focus on one or two treatment modalities, there are over 80 treatment methods that make the practice of massage therapy. The most widely known are Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and reflexology.
Therapy Sessions
A massage therapy session may be as short as 15 minutes or last up to 2 hours depending on the extent of injury and procedure used. For example, a massage therapist would utilize different techniques for a patient with a sports injury than with a patient suffering from migraine headaches.
In many cases, treatment involves massaging oils, lotions and creams into the affected tissue or muscles. Massage therapists may work in a variety of setting including health spas, chiropractic offices, massage clinics, as well as private practice.
Massage therapists who wish to set-up their own office will need to purchase such supplies as a massage table, pillows, oils, lotions, linens, towels, and loose-fitting clothing.
Client Interaction
For new patients, the massage therapist will record medical history and reason for seeking massage treatment. This initial consultation will enable the massage therapist to discuss client expectations with regard to outcomes and review those techniques that may prove most effective in light of their presenting condition.
Because massage therapists focus on only one or two areas, they may refer clients to colleagues who offer the type of treatment recommended.
Massage therapists should have good relationship-building skills to develop client rapport and a consistent following, which is especially important for those who wish to start and grow their own massage therapy practice.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the growth rate of massage therapists is anticipated to be 19 percent which represents a faster than average rate than for most other occupations. This growth rate may be due to the fact that more people believe that massage therapy helps improve overall health.
Demand also arises from the growing number of new health spas that have opened in recent years, along with the quick rise in the number of massage therapy franchises that typically offer services at lower cost than most spas and massage clinics.
The field is also gaining greater respect due to the many states that have now implemented more stringent regulatory requirements for the practice of massage therapy.
Residents of nursing homes and assisted living faculties are also finding that massage therapy increases their energy level and reduces unpleasant side effects of various chronic conditions, such as arthritis. The Baby Boomer demographic, who are leading active lives well into their 60s, will also find massage therapy useful to relive sore muscles and tissues.