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There are several massage therapy schools in Los Angeles. They issue diplomas or certificates after fewer that 12 months of instruction.
Class lectures impart lessons in science and MT theory, lab work gives students hands-on instruction, and assignments in clinics provide experience treating actual clients. Graduates are prepared to satisfy certification requirements that allow them to work in the Los Angeles region.
The demand for these professionals is quickly expanding in southern California. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim region has more MT jobs than any other metropolitan area in the country.
You can also broaden your search and view all massage therapy schools in California.
Prospective massage therapists here are subject to state and municipal regulations. The board requires that practitioners be certified by the California Massage Therapy Council.
CAMTC is a private, nonprofit corporation that the state Legislature established. It is governed by a board of directors which represents cities and counties, law enforcement agencies, massage schools, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, and professional massage associations. The organization imposes criteria for postsecondary education, pre-certification testing, and background checks.
The board issues permits to massage establishments and out-call businesses. Companies must comply with standards related to hours of operation, facilities, equipment, and sanitation. All massage practitioners and therapists working at an establishment need to have CAMTC certificates. In some cases, hearing officers hold public hearing before the board grants permits.
The city’s police chief is empowered to conduct unscheduled inspections of massage businesses to ensure compliance with regulations.
With either a diploma from high school or a GED in hand, a student has to graduate from an accredited massage therapy school that CAMTC has approved.
The council accepts certificate applications from those who have successfully completed at least 500 clock hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training. A curriculum must cover courses in anatomy and physiology, contraindications, health and hygiene, and business and ethics.
Another certification mandate is passing one of the following competency tests: the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam, the Board Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage, or the New York State Massage Therapy Examination.
We selected the schools below based on the programs that they offer, accreditation, student population, graduation rate and reputation.
View our Ranking Methodology to learn more about how we rank schools.
91%
151
This privately owned school at 1517 S. Western Ave. is “designed to simulate a salon environment,” with “the type of modern professional equipment used in the best salons in America.”
The massage therapy program entails 600 clock hours of instruction, including 20 hours working in real-world clinics. Students graduate after 24 weeks. They learn massage methods such as Swedish, spa, lymphatic, deep tissue, sports, special populations, medical, and Thai.
Along with courses that the state requires, classes include Medical Terminology, Kinesiology, History of Massage, Consultation and Documentation, Hydrotherapy, Therapeutic Procedure, Reflexology, and Shiatsu.
71%
263
Another private institution, AC boasts “small class sizes and experienced instructors.” MT students attend the school’s City of Industry campus at 17595 Almahurst St.
The 720-hour Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage program features classes in these massage modalities: western (Swedish), trigger point, deep tissue, special populations, and complementary holistic techniques.
Students also become proficient in myofascial release, reflexology, safety and the use of emergency equipment, client counseling, and practice management. Other courses address kinesiology, spa techniques, hydrotherapy, clinical pathology, professional practices, and product knowledge.
$16
$33,450
29%%
The median annual salary and hourly pay for a practitioner here are about $33,450 and over $16—lower than the approximately $41,420 and $20 nationwide.
The 10% of LA-area MTs with the best incomes receive around $65,000 per year or $31.25 an hour—trailing the United States averages of nearly $78,300 or over $37.60. The 10% at the bottom make almost $23,350 or more than $11.20—superior to the nearly $21,350 or about $10.25 reported nationally.
In 2018, the metropolitan area had 6,800 practitioners, which is increasing dramatically. Federal authorities predict 29% job growth in the field statewide from 2016-26—a more rapid clip than the 26% median they expect across the nation.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CareerOneStop
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