Massage Therapy Schools in California
Browse our directory of massage therapy schools in California, or skip ahead to learn about the state's massage therapy licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Massage Therapy Schools in California
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75-030 Gerald Ford Drive Suite 203
Palm Desert, CA 92211
American Beauty Institute - San Diego – Accredited
San Diego, CA 92111
American College of Healthcare and Technology - Huntington Park
Huntington Park, CA 90255
American College of Healthcare and Technology - Riverside
Riverside, CA 92505
American Empire College – Accredited
Rosemead, CA 91770
Coastline Beauty College - Fountain Valley – Accredited
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
International School of Beauty - Palm Desert – Accredited
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Victory Career College – Accredited
Torrance, CA 90502
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
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Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Massage Therapy Schools Near Me
Check out the Massage Therapy schools these cities in California have to offer.
Cost of Massage School Across CA
| Metro | Average Tuition |
|---|---|
| Sacramento / Stockton / Modesto | $17,745 |
| San Francisco / Oakland / San Jose | $16,190 |
| Monterey / Salinas | $15,249 |
| Fresno / Visalia | $14,700 |
| Bakersfield | $13,703 |
| San Diego | $11,457 |
| Los Angeles | $11,202 |
How to Become a Masseuse in California
- 500 education hours or 250 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for massage therapists in California is $35,060 ($16.86/hour). This is higher than the national average of $42,820 ($20.59/hour).
- There is a predicted 29% job increase between 2016–2026 for massage therapists. This is higher than the expected national growth of 22%.
One of the most popular career choices across the nation these days is massage therapy. If you like to work with others in an intimate setting and enjoy a flexible schedule, then look into massage schools in California. To become a California massage therapist, successful completion of accredited vocational training program that includes basic theory and hands-on massage techniques are required, along with passing the state exam.
A massage therapist in the Golden State could work for themselves as a mobile business that travels to different locations, or seek employment at a healthcare facility, fitness center or day spa. The opportunities are as diverse as California itself - from Napa Valley to San Francisco Bay to Los Angeles.
State License Requirements
Required to earn a massage therapy license
Becoming a massage therapist in California requires completion of training that includes both the theory of massage and hands on massage techniques. Students also must pass an exam regulated by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) called the NCETMB - National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Unlike some other states, California has two different levels of certification. The first - Certified Massage Practitioner - requires 250 hours of training and education. It will be phased out by 1-1-2015. The other level of certification is the Certified Massage Therapist (CMT). CMTs in California take 500 hours of massage education and training and at least 250 of those hours must be at an approved California massage therapy school. The other 250 hours may be through a school or through a continuing education provider.
Education Details
Massage therapy is a very popular career choice across the country. You might enjoy becoming a massage therapist if you desire a career as an alternative medical professional. Massage therapists expertly apply pressure to the body to promote healing from injuries and relieve stress. Some of the procedures massage therapists in California learn to perform are Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, acupressure and neuromuscular massage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), massage therapists can specialize in over 80 different types of massages, called modalities. Most California massage therapists specialize in several modalities.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
California requires massage therapists take a program with a minimum 500-hours of practical experience. Once you complete your training and obtain your license, you'll need to renew it every two years and pay a $150 fee with your application. California also has requirements for continuing education units. You must take 30 hours between each renewal period to keep your license in good standing. This is why it's critical to speak with massage therapy schools near you to make sure you're on the right track with training and licensure.
California Massage Therapy Careers
Average yearly salary for massage therapy in California
California massage therapists can earn an average annual salary of $35,060 before tips. Most massage therapists earn a combination of wages and tips. Because most California massage therapists work by appointment their schedules and the hours worked each week vary widely. In addition to hours giving massages, massage therapists also spend time writing patient progress notes, scheduling client appointments and other general business tasks.
California massage therapists can either work for themselves by traveling to different locations or they can work at a healthcare facility, fitness center or spa. The opportunities are as diverse as the Golden State itself. California is ranked first in the country by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the highest current employment of massage therapists.
The state also has three of the top ten metropolitan areas with the highest current employment in the country:
Napa, California is rated #1 in the nation by the BLS with the highest concentration of massage therapist jobs and job locations.