Regulation of Massage Therapy in California

Most cities in California have their own laws and regulations on the practice of massage therapy. Here are the laws for a few select cities.

If you have a certification from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), you do not need to obtain additional massage certification for each city.¹Massage Therapy Act, specifically Government Code section 51034 However, even if you are CAMTC certified, cities still may require you to get a special massage operator permit.

In order to use the titles of Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) or Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP) in California, you must have a CAMTC certification.²Business and Professions Code sections 4600 – 4621

Massage therapists who work for themselves also need to know about general business law.

A related page is Law on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

City of Los Angeles

To perform massage therapy services in the city of Los Angeles, you must have a certification from the California Massage Therapy Council, and comply with various rules.

See other professions at our Guide to Business & Professional Licenses.

The full text of the Los Angeles city ordinances on performing massage therapy is at Los Angeles Municipal Code Sections 103.205 and 103.205.1.

City of Santa Clara