If you live in California or have visited as a tourist, it’s hard not to fall in love with this state. There are loads of excellent massage therapy schools in California to choose from if you’re thinking of studying there too.
Being the most populated state in the US it will come as no surprise that there are also the most registered massage therapists, as well as the most schools.
Don’t be put off by this however. Competition is healthy in the business world, and with a smart gameplan and the dedication to be the best in your field, there is more than enough space for you to enter the market.
The good news is that California also has the largest amount of potential clients. It’s a massage therapist’s gold mine.
So what are you waiting for? Type your ZIP code into the search box below and find the schools nearest to you and start working towards your new career today!
Contents
Massage Therapy Schools in California
Below is a list of some of the top massage therapy schools in California. By entering your ZIP code into the search field above you’ll see an up-to-date list of all the available schools by area.
There are schools in some exciting and interesting cities that would be a joy to work in, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach and more.
National Holistic Institute – Emeryville Massage School
Emeryville, CA, USA
+1 510-547-6442
Website – nhi.edu
National Holistic Institute – Petaluma Massage School
Petaluma, CA, USA
+1 707-789-9235
Website – nhi.edu
Massage Therapy Institute
Davis, CA, USA
+1 530-753-4428
Website – mtidavis.com
a2z health Massage Therapy School CAMTC Approves School
Reseda, CA, USA
+1 818-344-3940
Website – a2zhealth.net
a2z health Massage Therapy School
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
+1 805-241-4194
Website – a2zhealth.net
Southern California Health Institute
Reseda, CA, USA
+1 818-980-8990
Website – scuhs.edu
California Holistic Institute
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
+1 805-786-4808
Website – californiaholisticinstitute.com
National Holistic Institute – Los Angeles Massage School
Studio City, CA, USA
+1 818-788-0824
Website – nhi.edu
American Institute of Massage Therapy Inc
Santa Ana, CA, USA
+1 714-432-7879
Website – aimtinc.com
California Healing Arts College
Carson, CA, USA
+1 310-826-7622
Website – chac.edu
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Whittier, CA, USA
+1 800-221-5222
Website – scuhs.edu
National Holistic Institute – San Jose Massage School
San Jose, CA, USA
+1 408-423-8004
Website – nhi.edu
World School of Massage and Holistic Healing Arts
Pleasanton, CA, USA
+1 925-461-2533
Website – worldschoolmassage.com
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
San Francisco, CA, United States
+1 415-474-4600
Website – sfsm.edu
Loving Hands Institute of Healing Arts
Fortuna, CA, USA
+1 707-725-9627
Website – lovinghandsinstitute.com
Fair Oaks Massage Institute
Fair Oaks, CA, USA
+1 916-965-4063
Website – fairoaksmassageschool.com
California College of Physical Arts Inc
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
+1 714-964-7744
Website – calcopamassageschool.com
California Massage Therapy Council
Sacramento, CA, USA
+1 916-669-5336
Website – camtc.org
Heavenly Touch Massage Therapy Clinic & Learning Center
Hanford, CA, USA
+1 559-584-9234
Website – heavenlytouchhanford.massagetherapy.com
National Holistic Institute
San Francisco, CA, USA
+1 415-861-2045
Website – nhi.edu
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
+1 805-966-5802
Website – sbbti.com
National Holistic Institute – Orange County Massage School
Santa Ana, CA, USA
+1 714-668-9263
Website – nhi.edu
Hands On Healing
Tujunga, CA, USA
+1 818-951-5811
Website – gotohhi.org
Diamond Light Massage Therapy School of Massage and Healing Arts
San Anselmo, CA, USA
+1 415-454-6651
Website – diamondlight.net
IPSB at Life Energy Institute
Culver City, CA, USA
+1 310-342-7130
Website – mylei.org
Holistic Life Institute
Oakdale, CA, USA
+1 209-848-8382
Website – holisticlifeinstitute.com
Somatherapy Institute – School of Massage
Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
+1 760-321-9214
Website – somatherapy.com
Central Valley Massage Institute
Merced, CA, USA
+1 209-384-2164
Website – cvmimassage.com
Julie’s Massage Therapy and School
Yuba City, CA, USA
+1 530-671-6300
Website – juliesmassagetherapyandschool.com
Mc Kinnon Institute
Oakland, CA, USA
+1 510-465-3488
Website – mckinnonbtc.com
Calistoga Massage Therapy School
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
+1 707-542-4577
Website – calistogamts.com
International College Of Holistic Studies
San Diego, CA, USA
+1 858-581-9460
Website – icohs.edu
Los Angeles Massage School
Reseda, CA, USA
+1 818-485-4611
Website – lamassageschool.us
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health
Escondido, CA, USA
+1 760-746-9364
Website – healinghandsschool.com
Kali Institute For Massage
Ventura, CA, USA
+1 805-648-6204
Website – kaliinstitute.com
Andaman Institute of Massage
Oceanside, CA, USA
+1 760-453-7277
Website – andamaninstitute.com
Chico Therapy Wellness Center
Chico, CA, United States
+1 530-891-4301
Website – chicotherapywellness.com
Andaman Institute of Massage
Oceanside, CA, USA
+1 760-453-7277
Website – andamaninstitute.com
Abrams College
Modesto, CA, USA
+1 209-527-7777
Website – abramscollege.com
Alive Institute-Therapeutic
Port Hueneme, CA, USA
+1 805-985-2600
Website – alivemassage.com
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health
Laguna Hills, CA, USA
+1 949-305-2722
Website – healinghandsschool.com
Kali Institute For Massage
Ventura, CA, USA
+1 805-648-6204
Website – kaliinstitute.com
Milan Institute Visalia, California
Visalia, CA, USA
+1 559-684-3900
Website – milaninstitute.edu
Massage Center ~ Advanced School of Massage
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
+1 805-495-1353
Website – asmt.net
Lincoln Institute of Body Therapy
Orange, CA, USA
+1 714-998-4943
Website – lincolnmassage.com
Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy, Inc.
Encinitas, CA, USA
+1 760-943-8485
Website – nhicollege.net
Napa Valley School of Massage
Napa, CA, USA
+1 707-253-0627
Website – napamassageschool.com
Cypress Health Institute
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
+1 831-476-2115
Website – cypresshealthinstitute.com
Monterey Institute of Touch
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, USA
+1 831-624-1006
Website – montereyinstituteoftouch.com
South Bay Massage College
Manhattan Beach, CA, USA
+1 310-546-8774
Website – southbaymassagecollege.com
Mir Institute
Van Nuys, CA, USA
+1 818-757-7246
Website – massagehypnotherapy.com
Massage Center
Chatsworth, CA, USA
+1 805-791-1561
Website – asmt.net
The BodySong Massage Center and School
Novato, CA, USA
+1 415-408-3930
Website – thebodysong.com
Have I missed any schools? If you want me to add your school to my listing just drop me a mail here.
Schooling and Licensing Requirements in California
There are two different classifications when it comes to being a qualified and practicing massage therapist in the state of California.
These are Certified Massage Practitioners (CMP), and Certified Massage Therapists (CMT). Each has some different requirements, although there is no difference in the scope of practice.
Becoming a Certified Massage Practitioner in California
To become a CMP you are required to have a minimum of 250 hours of education at an approved school.
As well as 100 hours of education in health and hygiene, business and ethics, and anatomy and physiology.
You can find a full list of requirements and the necessary forms to complete on The California Massage Therapy Council website (details below).
Becoming a Certified Massage Therapist in California
When you have a minimum of 500 hours of education under your belt you can apply to become a CMT. There is also an additional exam to pass.
There is no difference to the scope of work you can carry out. Being a CMT is recognition of your ongoing continued education and experience.
The California Massage Therapy Council Contact Details
The massage therapy Council in California are there to answer any questions you have regarding schooling, license requirements, and more.
Their contact details are as follows:
The California Massage Therapy Council
Sacramento, CA, USA
+1 916-669-5336
Website – camtc.org
Why Choose California for Massage Therapy Schooling?
California is the place to be in the states. You have the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the shopping districts and nightlife of Los Angeles, and plenty of quiet, unspoiled outdoors areas if you know where to look.
The climate is usually reason enough for some people to choose a school in Cali. It’s a Mediterranean climate, with sunny weather almost all year round and low humidity.
There is no shortage of working opportunities too, with a seemingly endless flow of tourists, densely populated areas, and a huge student population.
If you want to study somewhere that has it all, pick California. Likewise, if you want to work where there are the most opportunities, as well as competition, this is the place.
I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.
