This blog post discusses the list of accredited massage therapy schools in California, and their fees to prepare aspirants and guide them in massage therapy school selection.
Accredited massage therapy schools in California are those that have been approved by a regularization body such as the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
Now that you are interested in becoming a massage therapist and you are looking for accredited massage therapy schools California, it is very important to ensure that each of your desired schools meets the state board requirements to prepare you to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board (FSMTB).
With that said, there are so many massage therapy schools in California, and the number continues to grow because of the demand for the skill, so to assist you in your journey, this detailed article covers some of the best-accredited massage schools California.
What Are The Requirements To Be A Massage Therapist In California?
These are the minimum education requirements for the accredited massage therapy schools California, they include;
- The student should be at least 18 years of age
- The student should possess High School Diploma, G.E.D or its equivalence
- The student should be a legal resident or citizen of the United States
- The student should receive 500 or more hours of instruction and training at a school that the state board recognizes.
- The student should not be convicted of crimes related to drugs and/or sex.
- A means of identification, such as; a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
- The school’s scheme of work has to include at least 100 hours in some of the following subject areas: anatomy and physiology, health and hygiene, contraindications, and business and ethics.
Upon graduation, a future therapist’s next step is to pass an exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
The agency requires 750 total hours but allows practitioners to begin working in the field when they reach the 500-hour benchmark. The remaining coursework can be done later.
List Of Accredited Massage Therapy Schools In California
The following are the best-accredited massage schools California;
- Abrams College
- American Career College-Ontario
- American Institute of Massage Therapy
- Andaman Institute of Massage
- Bodhi Panya Institute
- CalCopa Massage School
- Carrington College-Stockton
- Diamond Light School of Massage and Healing Arts
- Downey Adult School
- Fair Oaks Massage Institute
- Hollywood Career College
- Monterey Peninsula College
- National Holistic Institute
- North-West College-Riverside
- San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
- Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
- Skyline College
- Somatherapy Institute School of Massage
- Southern California Health Institute
- The Massage Center
- University of Antelope Valley
Abrams College
Abrams College is the first in our list of best massage therapy schools in California, accredited by the National Certification Board For Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
Students looking to apply for this massage therapy school in California will offer a massage therapy program that lasts for a period of 27-weeks.
In total, you will stay 550-hours learning both theoretical and practical aspects of the massage techniques, and as a student.
You will also be required to complete seventy-five (75) hours of internship practice
The massage therapy training program offered by Abrams College has been accredited by the Students will also be.
This time will be scheduled upon passing the Swedish portion of training by all the students.
Graduates from the Abrams College Massage Therapy program are eligible to write the Massage and Body Licensing Exam.
Tuition Fee: $5,050
ALSO, READ 15 BEST MASSAGE THERAPY SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK.
American Career College-Ontario
Next on our list of the best massage therapy programs in California is the American Career College-Ontario.
This massage therapy school has been around for some time and been in operation for more than 70 years, and has campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Costa Mesa.
Students looking to apply for this massage therapy school in California will offer a massage therapy program that lasts for a period of 38-weeks, and you will stay 750 hours in classrooms and 407 hours in practical settings.
Required courses are:
- Swedish Massage
- Massage for Special Needs Population and
- Therapeutic Communication.
Tuition Fee: $12,000
American Institute of Massage Therapy (AIMT)
Check out the American Institute of Massage Therapy, one of the best massage therapy schools California by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
Studying in this school, you will have to spend 624-hours in training, and the course is designed to provide students with the most basic skills and techniques required for a massage therapist to do well.
Some of the subjects covered in the training are;
- Massage therapy fundamentals
- Musculoskeletal systems
- BASIC massage
- Business law & ethics, etc.
Graduates from the AIMT program are eligible to write the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) exam and apply for the State of California Certification.
Tuition Fee: $9,900
Andaman Institute of Massage
The Andaman Institute of Massage is one on the list of accredited massage therapy schools in California that has been accredited by the California Massage Therapy Council.
This school that is located in Oceanside, CA has a program designed to assist graduates who wish to sit for the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) approved exam – MBLEX.
Studying in this school, you will have to spend 520-hours in training, both in-class and clinical settings to brush up your massage techniques, and the course is designed to provide students with the most basic skills and techniques required for a massage therapist to do well.
Tuition Fee: $6,490
Bodhi Panya Institute
The Bodhi Panya Institute is one of the best massage therapy schools in California is located in San Francisco.
As one of the accredited massage therapy schools California, this school meets all requirements to become a professional massage therapist in California.
Studying a program in this school, you will have to spend 500-hours long, and be learning five days a week for six to eight hours each day total of 426 classroom hours and 74 hours of student clinic experience.
Tuition Fee: $7,500
CalCopa Massage School
When you choose to study at CalCopa Massage School, you know you are selecting one of the accredited massage therapy schools in California by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
Studying in this school, you will have to spend 600-hours in training, of which you will need to finish up some clinical work.
There are also other related programs this school supports, which would increase your skills and earn you more rewards, some of which includes;
- Kinesiology
- Formula massage
- Pathology
- Deep transverse friction
- Stretching, client assessment, and treatment protocol.
The school has diverse programs that prepare its students for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
Tuition Fee: $8,100
Carrington College-Stockton
This nationwide company offers massage therapy programs in eight California locations: Sacramento, Mission Viejo, Pleasant Hill, San Jose, San Leandro, Citrus Heights, Stockton, and Pomona.
The nine-month certificate curriculum includes classes in Anatomy and Physiology; Terminology; Function and Structure of the Body’s Skeletal, Muscular, and Internal Systems; Ethical, Legal, and Business Concerns; Personal Care, Communication Skills and Practice Management; and Success Skills.
If you attend this massage therapy school, you can expect to learn;
- Swedish massage
- Sports massage
- Deep-tissue applications
- Shiatsu, and chair massage.
They attend a career-development seminar and complete an externship.
An associate of science degree in health studies entails an additional 42 weeks of general education studies.
Tuition Fee: $11,000
Diamond Light School of Massage and Healing Arts
The next on the list of the best massage schools in California is the Diamond Light School of Massage and Healing Arts, which is also one of the CAMTC approved schools.
Studying in this school, you will have to spend 100-hours in training, and then move into the advanced massage therapy program to prepare you for the MBLEx exam. However, the advanced session is 500-hours long.
Tuition Fee: $2,025
Downey Adult School
The Downey Adult School used to be known as the DAS Career and Education Center, offering one of the best massage therapy programs in California, the school has been in operation for more than 70 years.
Studying in this school, you will have to spend 600-hours in training, with no student clinic, some of the courses offered here include;
- Pregnancy Massage
- Infant and Elderly Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Advanced Circulatory Massage
- Myofascial Release
- Stretching and Resisted Stretching
- Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, and Acupressure.
As one of the approved massage therapy schools in California, you can decide to take classes either during the day or later in the evening.
Tuition Fees: $3,999
Fair Oaks Massage Institute
The next on our list of approved massage therapy schools in California is the Fair Oaks Massage Institute. This massage therapy institution has 500 and 620-hours training sessions to obtain a CAMTC certification.
After your graduation, you can use this approved certificate to practice and own a business in California.
Monthly payment plans are offered to reduce the financial burden on students and free introductory classes are occasionally offered.
Tuition Fees: $2000- $8,000 depending on your qualification
Hollywood Career College
The Hollywood Career College is one of the accredited massage therapy schools California, approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
This institution offers two types of massage therapy programs;
- Massage Therapy Part-time
- Massage Therapy Full-time
The program designed in this school helps students become the best in the field, providing different forms of training, such as; instructional videos, lectures, reading guides, and practical lab sessions.
Some of the courses covered here are;
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology
- Professional Ethics
- Business, etc.
When you decide to study here, the programs will help prepare you for the MBLEx examination.
Tuition Fees: $4,500
Monterey Peninsula College
The Monterey Peninsula is next on the list of best massage schools in California.
You can select from the plenty options here and each covers anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic massage (plus a massage lab).
- Massage Practitioner Certificate of Training — up to 357 hours, 12-24 months, with a kinesiology class
- Massage Therapist Certificate of Training — up to 561 hours, nine to 12 months, with sports massage and clinical massage classes
- Massage Therapist Certificate of Achievement — up to 1,173 hours, 12-24 months, with core courses including First Aid, CPR, and Medical Terminology (in addition to many electives)
- Massage Therapy Associate in Science degree
- Massage Therapist Advanced Certificate
Tuition Fees: Ranges from $1,426 – $1,748 (non-California residents will pay about $7,626 – $9,348).
National Holistic Institute
National Holistic Institute is the next on the list of accredited massage therapy schools in California, one of the approved massage therapy schools in California located in Emeryville.
This institution provides a massage therapy training program that prepares you for the MBLEx exam, and this school takes eight months for full-time students and 10-12 months for part-timers.
This school also offers courses such as;
- Myofascial Therapy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Hand and Foot Reflexology
- Acupressure
- Energy Work
- Rocking and Shaking, and Aromatherapy.
There are also classes that cover anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, business, and marketing. Each campus has its own student massage clinic.
The school covers some massage techniques such as;
- Swedish
- Shiatsu
- Deep tissue
- Lymphatic
- Sports
- Prenatal
- Hot stone and Thai.
This is one of the prestigious massage therapy schools because it utilizes several teaching methods, including Audio, Visual and Kinesthetic to support you in learning the material.
Tuition: $15,820
North-West College-Riverside
Another on our list of best massage schools in California is the North-West College.
This school’s massage therapy programs are available on the campuses in West Covina, Pomona Valley, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Riverside.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in a 940-hour curriculum in nine months, some of the courses offered here cover many kinds of massages, including;
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Reflexology
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Spa Services and Wellness Strategies
- Pain and Massage Strategies
- Business Skills
- Computers and Ethics and Professionalism.
Additionally, students can perform a clinical internship and take part in a career seminar.
Tuition Fees: $15,775
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork gives its students a very positive experience and learning condition, it is one of the best massage therapy programs in California.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in 600-hour and is designed to give students what they need to excel as massage therapists.
And as one on the list of best massage schools in California, the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork is one of the CAMTC approved schools.
Some of the core courses covered here include;
- Swedish Massage
- Body Mechanics
- Massage Theory
- Sports Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Anatomy and Physiology and more
Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
Tuition Fees: $9,300
Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
The Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute is one of the accredited massage therapy schools California by the CAMTC, that offers students an advanced technical training program designed to prepare students for the MBLEx exam.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in 550-hour, and is designed to give graduates what they need to excel as massage therapists.
You can complete your program in twelve months if you decide to attend classes twice weekly; morning and evening and on weekends. However, you can complete the class in six months if you attend classes four times weekly; morning and evening and sometimes during the weekend.
Tuition Fees: $7,210
Skyline College
This school is rated highly and offers one of the best massage therapy programs in California, Located in Bruno, Skyline issues certificates of achievement to students who complete 32-38 units (600 contact hours) in two semesters.
Some of the courses required include;
- Massage Theory and Practice
- Holistic Health Science
- Massage Techniques and Clinical Experience
- Pathology and Pharmacology
- Clinical Kinesiology and Applied Biomechanics for Manual Therapy
- Sports Medicine and Manual Therapy
- Asian Bodywork Traditions Theory and Practice
- Introduction to Consciousness,
- Intent and Meditation and
- Conscious Eating: A Sustainable Approach to Health and Healing.
Students may select from among 14 additional classes and then may pursue advanced certificates.
Tuition Fees: $8,136
Somatherapy Institute School of Massage
The Somatherapy Institute is one of the accredited massage therapy schools with programs in California approved by the CAMT Council.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in 545 hours/45 weeks/ 7-10 months and once students have graduated from the Somatherapy Institute massage therapy program, they will be ELIGIBLE to write the National Massage Therapist Written exam the MBLEx.
Tuition Fees: $7,760
Southern California Health Institute
The next on the list of best massage schools in California is the Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi), one of the best massage schools in California.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in nine (9) months and this school has a newly admitted program; Hybrid IDL that allows students to learn online from the safety of their homes.
As an institution dedicated to giving the best massage therapy programs in California, it uses diverse information formats to convey lessons.
The idea of this institution is focused on providing its students with the basics they need to do well in the field of massage therapy and graduates of this school can be eligible to write the MBLEX exam.
Tuition Fees: $16,165
The Massage Center
The Massage Center offers one of the best massage therapy programs in California, located in Thousand Oaks, CA. The program in this school is designed to brush up students on the techniques of massage therapy.
Studying in this school, you will have to put in 550-hour, and is designed to give graduates what they need to excel as massage therapists.
And as one of the accredited massage therapy schools California, this school has been approved by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
Some of the required courses covered here are;
- Anatomy/Physiology
- Health/Hygiene
- Ethics
- Business Practices
- Medical Terminology and more.
Tuition Fees: $8,194
University of Antelope Valley
The University of Antelope Valley is also on the list of accredited massage therapy schools in California, located in Lancaster;
Studying in this school, you will have to put in 9 to 10 months to obtain the 33-credit hour certificate program which is designed to give graduates what they need to excel as massage therapists.
One of the school’s requirements is that you should first take the Message Therapy Prep Course to understand the basics of bodywork, professionalism, legal issues, and medical terminology.
The next classes are Introduction to Bodywork and Spa Modalities, which include facial treatments and aromatherapy.
The final step is to complete an externship to gain experience in the field.
Tuition Fees: $15,375
If you are looking for a school to study massage therapy in New York City, have a look at our list below.
FAQ On Accredited Massage Therapy Schools California
How long is massage therapy school in California?
The proper hours – A total of 500 hours of study and practice are required to get your massage therapist certification in California. Of those 500 hours, 100 of them need to be focused on anatomy, physiology, health, and hygiene. Tuition for the Certificate of Achievement is the same as for the Massage Therapist-Advanced certificate.
How much is a massage therapy school in California?
Tuition for the Massage Therapist-Advanced certificate varies depending on courses and electives completed but will be approximately $1,426 - $1,748 (non-California residents will pay about $7,626 - $9,348).
What are the CAMTC approved schools?
The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) is a non-profit benefit corporation appointed by California cities, law enforcement, the massage schools, and other sectors authorized by law in California business and professions code section 4600 et. seq. to regulate and oversee accredited massage therapy schools California, massage businesses, and education in all of California. This organization approves or accredits massage therapy schools and also gives certifications to students who have completed the massage therapy program so that they can start practicing.
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