How to Become a Massage Therapist in California

Who can apply

• California has no state massage license. CAMTC certification is voluntary under state law, but some cities and counties require it.
• To be a CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) you must be at least 18 years old.
• You must complete at least 500 hours of massage and related subjects at CAMTC-approved schools, including at least 100 hours of anatomy and physiology, contraindications, health and hygiene, and business and ethics.
• You must pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check using CAMTC's form.
• You must not have violated the Massage Therapy Act or CAMTC's rules.

Step by step

1. Check whether the city or county where you want to work requires CAMTC certification or its own local permit.
2. Complete at least 500 hours at one or more CAMTC-approved schools.
3. Register online with CAMTC and submit the certification application with a copy of your driver's license or state ID, a professional passport photo, and the $300 fee.
4. Get a Live Scan fingerprint check using only CAMTC's Request for Live Scan Service form.
5. Have each school email your official transcript directly to transcripts@camtc.org.
6. CAMTC reviews your application and background check and issues a two-year certificate and ID card.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: For CAMTC certification as a massage therapist: at least 500 hours (or the credit-unit equivalent) of massage and related subjects from CAMTC-approved schools, with at least 100 hours in anatomy and physiology, contraindications, health and hygiene, and business and ethics. Hours can come from more than one approved school if each was approved when you took the hours. Out-of-state education must be substantially equivalent to California programs. Without certification, any training rules are set by your city or county.

Exam: CAMTC says passing an exam is not currently required for certification; the statute's exam requirement became inoperative January 1, 2019. Since January 1, 2026, approved schools must tell graduates that the MBLEx is not required for CAMTC certification but may be required to get licensed in other states.

What it costs in California

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

CAMTC says to expect about 90 days for a complete application with no background or education issues; applications with issues can take significantly longer.

Keeping your license

Renewal: CAMTC certification lasts two years. Apply for recertification ($300) between 90 and 60 days before your expiration date. Late fees are $25 (1-10 days), $55 (11-29 days) or $95 (30+ days) and cannot be waived; you must recertify within 18 months of expiration. CAMTC has no continuing education requirement.

Good to know in California

Protected titles: Under Business and Professions Code 4611, only CAMTC certificate holders may call themselves certified massage therapist, CMT, certified massage practitioner, CMP, or use "licensed" or "certified" in a way that suggests certification.

Why certify: CAMTC certification lets you provide massage for compensation in every California city and county without a separate local permit. Cities cannot require certificate holders to take invasive medical exams or get local fingerprinting.

Moving to another state: Because California has no state license, other states may not treat CAMTC certification as a license for reciprocity. For example, Arizona says applicants from California's voluntary program cannot use its reciprocity route.

Law sunset date: The Massage Therapy Act and CAMTC remain in effect until January 1, 2030, unless the Legislature extends them.

Sources

• CAMTC - Requirements to Certify
• CAMTC - Fee Schedule for Applicants & Certificate Holders
• CAMTC - Massage Professionals (exam notice, out-of-state education)
• CAMTC - Frequently Asked Questions
• Massage Therapy Act and related statutes, B&P Code 4600-4621 (2026 compilation)
• Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy - Initial Arizona Massage License (California applicants note)