Massage therapists in CA are able to volunarily apply for a certification that shows they are allowed to provide massage in all cities and counties without having to obtain a local permit. Previously, massage therapists were required to apply in each city with costly licensing fees. The State of California does not license the massage profession and is one of only 3 states (Kansas, Wyoming, Minnesota) that do not require formal licensing of massage therapists.
The California Massage Therapy Council oversees this voluntary certification process for massage therapists. CAMTC certification allows a certificate holder to provide massage for compensation in all cities and counties in the State of California without having to obtain a local permit. CAMTC certifies individuals, it does not regulate massage businesses. CAMTC’s voluntary certification program was created in 2009 in part as a way to address the uneven patchwork quilt of local regulations that existed before CAMTC’s inception and to elevate the profession. Massage therapists must attend an approved school and pass their curriculm in order to apply for this certification.
You can verify a massage therapists license on the CAMTC website
The Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) or Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP) titles are used to distiguish those who pass certification which requires 500 hours of training and passing a criminal background check and have to recertify every 2 years.
California Business and Professions Code Section 4608 states: In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, a certificate holder shall:
(a) Display his or her original certificate wherever he or she provides massage for compensation. A certificate holder shall have his or her identification card in his or her possession while providing massage services for compensation.
The CAMTC CERTIFICATE NUMBER must be included in any and all advertising, including business cards and websites.
CMT – Certified Massage Therapist
- 500 hours of approved education or 250 hours of approved education and passage of a CAMTC approved exam; or
CMP – Certified Massage Practitioner - 250 hours of approved education; or CCMP – Conditional Certified Massage Practitioner
- Applied on or before January 1 of 2012, with 100 hours of approved education, and completed a minimum of 30 hours per year of approved continuing education until 250 hours are reached within 5 years.
CA Massage Therapists
CA Massage Therapy Act of 2022 (PDF)
CA has been working toward licensure since about 1967.
