You have decided to become a massage therapist and are searching for a HIGH-QUALITY training program to GAIN the necessary knowledge and skills to EXCEL as a massage therapist. As you begin to research the various schools/programs, it is ESSENTIAL to ensure that each of them meets the STATE board requirements to make you ELIGIBLE for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLex). Not only that, but you also want to ensure that the massage therapist program will provide you with the confidence you need to GROW in your career and provide you with the foundation to transition into other progressive job roles.

With that said, the STATE of California has several high-quality programs to choose from, making your final choice overwhelming. To assist you in your journey, we have researched some of the BEST massage therapy programs in California. With that said, all of these programs have also been accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).


Overall BEST Massage Therapy Schools In California

In the table below, you will find the TOP accredited massage therapy programs in California and the schools they are offered at. The schools are listed in ranking order by ratings left by graduates.

You can click “FEATURES” on any of the schools in the table to jump to the appropriate section in this article. There you will find a brief description of the program, admission information, and estimated costs.


1) American Institute of Massage Therapy

Current Rating: 4.9/5

With a rating of 4.9/5, the American Institute of Massage Therapy is considered one of the BEST massage therapy schools in California. The in-depth program consists of 624-hours of training designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to EXCEL as a massage therapist. Some of the subjects covered in the training are massage therapy fundamentals, musculoskeletal systems, BASIC massage, business law & ethics, etc. After graduating, candidates will be ELIGIBLE to SIT for the MBLEx exam and apply for the State of California Certification.

The American Institute of Massage Therapy has been accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) and the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).

Admission Requirements:

Prerequisites for the Massage Therapist and Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapist programs are:

High School Diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, AIMT does not accept Ability-To-Benefit Students),

18 years of age or permission from the Director, and

Current valid government-issued photographic identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport)

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

American Institute of Massage Therapy
1516 Brookhollow Drive, Suite C
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 432-7879


2) San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork

Current Rating: 4.9/5

With a rating of 4.9/5, the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork offers one of the BEST massage therapy programs in California. The complete program is 600-hours and is structured to provide students with flexible schedules to take courses at their PREFERRED times. The San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork is approved by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Some of the core courses covered are Swedish Massage, Body Mechanics, Massage Theory, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, and more! With that said,

The program also satisfies the criteria for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). After successful completion, graduates will be ELIGIBLE to sit for the REGIONAL/STATE examinations.

Admission Requirements:

To apply, STUDENTS MUST must schedule a personal interview.

All qualified students need to be over the age of 18 and must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent

SFSM does not accept Ability to Benefit Students

Acceptance to the school will be determined based on the results of the applicant’s written questionnaire and personal interview with the school’s Admissions Representative.

Have the ability to read, write, and understand English

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

School Campus
475 Valencia Street – 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-474-4600


3) Diamond Light School of Massage and Healing Arts

Current Rating: 4.9/5

The Diamond Light Massage Therapist program is highly regarded as one of the BEST massage therapy schools in California. You can start with the entry-level massage therapist course consisting of 100-hours and then move into the advanced massage therapy program to prepare you for the MBLEx exam. In TOTAL, the advanced massage therapy program is 500-hours long. The Diamond Light Massage Therapy program/school has been accredited by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).

To learn more about the training and courses covered, please visit the following – Diamond Light Professional Bodywork Therapist Certification Course

Admission Requirements:

Understand English

Short interview (if required)

High School Diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, AIMT does not accept Ability-To-Benefit Students),

18 years of age or permission from the Director, and

A current valid government-issued photographic identification (e.g., drivers license, passport)

Program Tuition and Cost:

TOTAL Tuition: $2025 ($1925 1-month before class)

Address:

85 Bolinas Road, Suite 3
Fairfax, CA
415-454-6651
diamondlight@earthlink.net


4) Bodhi Panya Institute

Current Rating: 4.8/5

The Bodhi Panya Institute is located in San Francisco and is one of California’s BEST massage therapy schools. This massage training program is approx. 500-hours long, and students will be learning five  (5) days a week for six (6) to eight (8) hours each day. In TOTAL, the program consists of 426 classroom hours and 74 hours of student clinic experience. The program has been designed to prepare students to EXCEL in massage therapy, exploring job opportunities in various settings. With that said,

The Bodhi Panya Institute massage therapy program in California meets all the requirements to become professional massage therapists and gain state licensure as a Certified Massage Therapist.

Admission Requirements:

Fluency in English: conversational, reading, writing

Age Requirement: 18 and older

Education: H.S. diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)

Successfully complete the “Application for Admission form.”

Interview with the Chief Academic Officer

Pay the required program tuition amounts and other relevant program fees (if applicable).

Program Tuition and Cost:

PAYMENT OPTION 1: PAY IN FULL

Total tuition: $6,775 ($7,250 tuition plus $250 registration fee less: ten percent (10%) discount of tuition ($725) for payment in full at the time of enrollment).

PAYMENT OPTION 2: FIVE MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS

Total tuition: $7,500 (7,250 + $250 registration fee) The $250 registration shall be paid at the time of registration. Pay tuition in monthly installments: a total of five (5) months

$250 Registration fee (on enrollment date) $1,450 1st payment (1st day of the class). Thereafter, four (4) monthly installment payments each of $1,450 will be payable on the 1st day of each month. All payments must be made on or before completion of the 500-hour program.

Address:

38 Bryant Street, Suite 2
San Francisco, CA, 94105
415-994-5232
INFO@BODHIPANYA.COM





5) Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute

Current Rating: 4.7/5

The Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute offers students an advanced massage training program structured to prepare students for the MBLEx exam. The entire program is 550-hours and will provide graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to EXCEL in their field. Students who opt to attend classes twice weekly, evenings or mornings, and on weekends can complete the program in twelve (12) months. However, students attending four (4) times weekly, evenings and mornings, and occasional weekends can complete in a six-month time frame.

The Santa Barabara Institute massage therapy program in California has been accredited by the CAMTC.

Admission Requirements:

Students are required to be 18 years of age or have written parental permission to attend.

BASIC understanding of the English language.

Program Tuition and Cost:

 

Address:

516 N. Quarantina St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
805.966.5802
info@sbbti.com


6) The Massage Center

Current Rating: 4.7/5

The Massage Center offers a 550-hour massage training program which will make you ELIGIBLE to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). This massage therapy program in California is structured to provide graduates with the foundation they need to EXCEL in their careers. The school location is in Thousand Oaks, CA, which is approx. 1-hour away from Los Angeles, CA. Not to mention, this 550-hour massage program does MEET the California State Massage Therapist license from CAMTC (California Massage Therapy Council) requirements. Some of the core courses covered are – Anatomy/Physiology, Health/Hygiene, Ethics, Business Practices, Medical Terminology, and more.

Admission Requirements:

High School Diploma or equivalent, or pass the ATB (Ability to Benefit) test

18 years of age

A current valid government-issued photographic identification (e.g., drivers license, passport)

Program Tuition and Cost:

TOTAL Tuition: $4,500.00

Address:

171 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd # 206
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Phone: 805-495-1353


7) Andaman Institute of Massage

Current Rating: 4.6/5

The Andaman Institute of Massage is located in Oceanside, CA. The program structure prepares graduates to SIT and PASS the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) approved exam – MBLEX. Students will be learning in both an in-class and clinical setting to develop the skills and knowledge to EXCEL as a massage therapist. The TOTAL program is 520-hours long and has been accredited by the CAMTC. With that said,

The Andaman Institute massage therapist program in California develops a student’s knowledge and skillset through challenging coursework, examinations, and continuous instructor feedback.

Admission Requirements:

Must be 18 years or older

Must be physically capable of giving a massage.

Must have High School Diploma, GED, or State Equivalency

Must comprehend and speak English at a high school level.

Background Check.  A background check is not required for admission into the program; however, graduates seeking a State Certification must pass a background check.

Program Tuition and Cost:

Enrollment Fee (non-refundable: $135.00

Tuition: $6190.00

Books + Handouts: $165.00

STRF  $0.00

Total charges for the current period of attendance: $6490.00

ESTIMATED TOTAL CHARGES FOR THE ENTIRE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: $6490.00

Address:

AIM – Andaman Institute Of Massage
3108  San  Luis  Rey Rd.
Oceanside, CA 92058
Phone: (760) 453-7277 


8) National Holistic Institute

Current Rating: 4.6/5

National Holistic Institute is located in Emeryville, California. It provides a massage therapy training program that prepares you for the MBLEx exam. This massage therapist training program in California has been accredited by the California Massage Therapy Council. As a student, you will be put through a real-world training experience where you will treat the public in their on-campus massage training clinics. Not only that, but you will also be mentored by a dedicated team of experienced massage professionals. With that said,

National Holistic Institute is one of the BEST massage therapy schools in California because it utilizes several teaching methods, including Audio, Visual and Kinesthetic to support you in learning the material.

Admission Requirements:

Prerequisites for the Massage Therapist and Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapist programs are:

High School Diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, AIMT does not accept Ability-To-Benefit Students),

18 years of age or permission from the Director, and

A current valid government-issued photographic identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport)

Program Tuition and Cost:

+$50 Enrollment Fee | +$609 Books & Supplies (additional +$49 for Clovis or Modesto Campuses) | +$335 California Certification Fee

TOTAL Tuition: $15,820.00

Address:

5900 Doyle Street
Emeryville, California 94608
510.547.6442
Email: nhi@nhi.edu


9) CalCopa Massage School

Current Rating: 4.6/5

With a rating of 4.6/5, CalCopa offers students complete massage therapy training to prepare them for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). This massage therapy program meets all the CAMTC certification requirements. The program is currently 600-hours long, with some hours dedicated to clinical work. There is also an increased emphasis on the following: kinesiology, formula massage, pathology,  deep transverse friction, stretching, client assessment, and treatment protocol. With that said,

CalCopa massage school also offers other related programs to increase your skills and provide you with more job opportunities in the future.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or federally approved G.E.D to be eligible for enrollment.

California drivers license or other comparable form of picture I.D

Two names with phone numbers and addresses for personal references

Program Tuition and Cost:

TOTAL Tuition: $8,100.00

Address:

California College of Physical Arts
18582 Beach Blvd, Suite 11
Huntington Beach, CA 92648





10) Somatherapy Institute School of Massage

Current Rating: 4.6/5

The Somatherapy Institute is another high-quality massage therapy program in California. The combined program is approx. – 545 Hours/45 Weeks/7-10 Months. Not to mention, the program has been designed to meet all state certification (CAMTC) required prerequisites. Somatherapy Institute offers an “a la carte” training program structure that allows their students to pay by classes enabling workings student to complete the program at their needed pace. With that said, students will have a TOTAL of 1.5 years to complete the whole program.

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. There is a FEE of $190.00  paid directly to the testing provider.

Admission Requirements:

Prospective student SHOULD be at least 18 years of age

Students should have received a High School Diploma or GED

In good health, having no communicable disease,

Be a United States resident.

Each person is offered a campus interview

Each person is accepted if, in the school’s opinion, that individual has the possibility of success in the chosen objective.

Program Tuition and Cost:

Registration: 100.00 | Books: $425.00

TOTAL Tuition: $7,760.00

Address:

Somatherapy Institute School of Massage
70225 California 111, Suite B & C,
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 | 760-321-9214


11) Hollywood Career College

Current Rating: 4.5/5

The Hollywood Career College offers an in-depth massage therapy program designed to help students EXCEL as massage therapists. This training program utilizes various learning techniques like instructional videos, lectures, hands-on, and practical lab sessions. Some of the core subject areas covered are Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Professional Ethics, Business, etc. Not only that, but this massage therapy program also focuses on preparing students for the MBLEx examination. With that said,

Hollywood Career College is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).

Admission Requirements:

Submit high school diploma or GED

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age by the end of the program

Be physically fit enough to perform the massage

Have a serious intention to help others

Have a reasonable command of the English language

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

1552 N Western Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90027
​Cell: (310)800-3069
​Phone: (323)839-0895
hollywoodcareercollege@gmail.com


12) Abrams College

Current Rating: 4.3/5

Abrams College offers a massage therapy program that is 27-weeks. In total, students will spend a TOTAL of 550-hours learning in both an in-class and clinical setting. The massage therapy training program offered by Abrams College has been accredited by the National Certification Board For Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Students will also be required to complete seventy-five (75) hours of internship practice. This time will be scheduled upon passing the Swedish portion of training by all the students.

Graduates from the Abrams College Massage Therapy program will be ELIGIBLE to write the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).

Admission Requirements:

High School Diploma, G.E.D or equivalency

18 years of age or older

Legal resident or citizen of the United States

No felony convictions or convictions related to drug and/or sex crimes.

Program Tuition and Cost:

TOTAL Tuition: $5,050.00

PLEASE NOTE: Abrams College offers direct financing for all students

Address:

201 East Rumble Road; STE E
Modesto, CA 95350
(209) 527-7777


13) Southern California Health Institute

Current Rating: 4.3/5

The Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) has just implemented a new massage therapy (Hybrid IDL) program allowing students to learn online from the safety of their homes. The entire program is nine (9) months long and utilizes videoconferencing and interactive technology platforms for the lecture, etc. The structure of this massage therapy program in California focuses on providing graduates with the foundation they need to EXCEL in the field of massage therapy. Not only that, but graduates from the Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) are ELIGIBLE to write the MBLEX exam, to become a certified massage therapist (CMT) through the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)

Admission Requirements:

High School Diploma, G.E.D or equivalency

18 years of age or older

Legal resident or citizen of the United States

No felony convictions or convictions related to drug and/or sex crimes.

Program Tuition and Cost:

Address:

SOCHi Campus
5644 Vineland Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Phone: (818) 980-8990


Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision when choosing a massage therapy school in California. In addition to this guide, we also recommend you take the time to speak to the admissions office, visit the campus, and perhaps speak to fellow students. Your objective is to ultimately PASS the NATIONAL/STATE licensing exam, acquire the skills necessary to excel as a massage therapist, and have a MEMORABLE learning experience.

If you have found this guide helpful, please don’t forget to share your thoughts and feedback below in the comment box. We would love to hear what you and others have to say about our list of BEST massage therapy programs in California.

Additional Resources

How to Become a Massage Therapist – A Complete Guide
13 BEST Portable Massage Tables – Sierra Comfort, EARTHLITE, Master, Saloniture

 



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