California Massage Therapy Council | Providing voluntary certification that enables massage therapists to practice statewide.

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MASSAGE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS DENIED CAMTC APPROVAL OR RE-APPROVAL

CAMTC has denied the following massage schools/programs CAMTC School Approval or Re-Approval. These schools/programs do not meet the definition of an "approved school" in CAMTC's Law or Procedures, and CAMTC will not accept education completed at these schools for CAMTC Certification purposes for applications received after the grace period has ended.

If you attended a school that applied for CAMTC school approval on or before December 31, 2018, or applied for re-approval and is ultimately denied, you may still apply for CAMTC Certification using education from the denied school as long as your CAMTC Application for Certification is received within the applicable grace period and you provide additional proof of adequate education (in addition to a transcript and diploma) by passing an education hearing. Applications received after the grace period has ended will not be able to use education from a denied school or program to meet the educational requirements for CAMTC Certification.

If you attended a school whose Application for CAMTC School Approval is received on or after January 1, 2019, you may not use education from the school for CAMTC Certification unless the school’s application is ultimately approved.

The end of grace period date listed below is the last date that your application must be RECEIVED by CAMTC in order to use that education for CAMTC Certification purposes.

Alive! Institute of Therapeutic Massage - Rosemead (previously Oxnard and Port Hueneme) and San Diego locations- Denial effective May 30, 2018. (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)
Arcata School of Massage - Arcata- Denial effective September 21, 2017. (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)
Fenwu University of Alternative Medicine DBA Alhambra Medical University - Alhambra- Denial effective September 5, 2018 (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)
Five Branches University – Santa Cruz and San Jose locations- Denial effective August 5, 2020. (Grace period expires November 3, 2020.)
Heavenly Touch Learning Center - Hanford- Denial effective May 17, 2017. (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)
Massage School of Pasadena - Pasadena- Denial effective September 13, 2017. (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)
World School of Massage and Holistic Healing Arts – San Francisco- Denial effective March 13, 2018. (Grace period expired March 31, 2019.)

PURGED APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL APPROVAL

Applications for CAMTC School Approval that remain incomplete may be purged one year after receipt. The schools listed below have had their applications purged.

PURGED SCHOOLS FROM WHICH EDUCATION IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTED:

CAMTC does not currently accept education from these schools. Pursuant to Business & Professions Code section 4615(b)(2)(B) and CAMTC's Policies and Procedures for Approval of Schools section 2.E.a.(1)B., these schools may submit a new application for school approval after 180 days have passed from the effective date of purging. A school whose application is purged twice or more shall not be allowed to submit a new application for school approval until two years after the effective date of the most recent purging.

AAA Beauty College - Purged effective March 1, 2024
American Fitness and Nutrition Academy - Purged effective March 3, 2023
Asel Beauty College - Purged effective January 11, 2021
Cosmotek College - Purged effective March 1, 2022; May 15, 2023; and December 23, 2024
Healthcare Career College - Purged effective February 27, 2026
Milpitas Massage College - Purged effective December 22, 2020
OC Health Career College - Purged effective December 22, 2020, and May 15, 2023
Straight Perm Beauty School.com - Purged effective May 24, 2024, and May 2, 2025
Temple City Beauty College - Purged effective February 17, 2022; May 15, 2023; and December 23, 2024
Water Lounge Beauty Academy - Purged effective March 12, 2026

MASSAGE SCHOOLS OR PROGRAMS NOT APPROVED BY BPPE

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:

For applicants who have completed education at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts on or before December 31, 2012, CAMTC will accept that education for purposes of CAMTC Certification. Please note that CAMTC cannot accept education completed at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts during the time it was not BPPE approved, which is on or after January 1, 2013.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:

CAMTC will not accept transcripts from schools that are not approved by BPPE or by another agency or institution listed in Business and Professions Code section 4601(a). The following schools fail to meet the definition of a CAMTC Approved School as set forth in Business and Professions Code section 4601(a)(1)-(5):

Manhattan College (a.k.a. Westlake College)
Andrew University
American States College
American States University
Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts for education received on or after January 1, 2013
East West Massage School, LLC (SC)
International Institute of Cosmetics School
Healing Arts Institute - Tuina program - San Francisco Location (Education received at the Citrus Heights location may still be used for CAMTC certification purposes.)
Rosel School of Massage Therapy (Chicago)

ADDITIONAL PROOF OF ADEQUATE EDUCATION REQUIRED SCHOOLS

Applications received by CAMTC on or before June 30, 2016 from applicants with education from certain California schools are required to provide more than just a transcript and diploma as proof of education. If you attended and/or graduated from one of the following schools, and your submitted application was received by CAMTC on or before June 30, 2016, please plan to provide additional evidence of your education beyond just the diploma and transcript.

Coastline Beauty College
East West Institute in America
International Qi Gong Research Association
J.H.J. Education College
Orange Valley College
St. Luke University
West Pacific Institute of Body Therapy

UN-APPROVED MASSAGE SCHOOLS

CAMTC will consider the following massage schools to be un-approved massage schools. These schools do not meet the definition of an "approved school" in CAMTC's enabling law. Other schools may be added to this list from time to time so please continue to check this website before submitting a transcript. Applicants whose applications are received by CAMTC before the effective date listed here, and which include education from the following schools remain eligible to provide additional proof of their education. Applications received by CAMTC on or after the date listed below will not be able to use education from an un-approved school or program to meet the educational requirements for CAMTC Certification.

The effective date listed below is the last date that your application must be received by CAMTC to use that education for CAMTC Certification purposes.

Academy of Health & Beauty - Effective July 16, 2013
Academy of Oriental Therapy (aka Eastern Massage Institute) - Effective June 28, 2016
Academy of Somatics and Massage - Effective January 28, 2016
Acupuncture and Massage Institute of America - Effective May 10, 2012
Advance Beauty College - For applications RECEIVED on or after January 1, 2018, where the education has been completed on or before June 30, 2016, students may apply for CAMTC Certification using their education from this school. However, they must also take and pass an informal interview in addition to meeting all of the other requirements for certification.
Advanced Pro Nursing Institute - Effective September 21, 2015
Americana College- Effective June 28, 2016
American College Massage School (Indiana) - Effective June 8, 2017
American Eastern/Western Medical Institute – Effective June 8, 2017
American University of Healing Arts- Effective July 16, 2013
American Training School for Medical Professionals- Effective July 16, 2013
American International Vocational College - Effective February 1, 2012
American Heritage University of Southern California - Effective May 21, 2012
America's Institute of Traditional Medicine (a.k.a. Queenston College of America, a.k.a. Queenston University of America, a.k.a. California College of Health Sciences) - Effective May 21, 2012
American Purlinton Institute- Effective May 21, 2012
Andrew Health Institute- Effective May 21, 2012
ASM Beauty World Academy- Effective July 16, 2013
Barberio School of Massage Therapy - Effective December 1, 2015
BodyConcepts Wellness Institute- Effective September 21, 2015
Brightness Massage School for the Blind - Effective June 8, 2017
Cal Lion Institute- Effective May 21, 2012
California Professional College (a.k.a. Los Angeles Health Institute) - Effective May 21, 2012
California Trinity University - Effective September 30, 2015
California Union University- Effective May 21, 2012
College of Physical Arts and Cosmetology - Effective May 10, 2012
Diamond Beauty College- Effective May 21, 2012
Dynasty School (a.k.a. Dynasty Institute) - Effective May 21, 2012
East-West Institute of Hand Therapy- Effective May 21, 2012
Empire Institute of Massage Therapy- Effective September 21, 2015
First Choice International Medical Academy- Effective August 9, 2013
Georgia Academy of Massage- Effective July 16, 2013
Georgia Massage & Holistic Institute- Effective September 21, 2015
Glamour Beauty College (a.k.a. Topline Beauty College)- Effective June 23, 2015
Golden Acupressure Therapeutic Massage College- Effective May 21, 2012
Hahm Therapeutic Massage Institute - Effective February 1, 2012
Han's Academy of Massage (a.k.a Han's Career College) - Effective August 2, 2012
Healing Arts Institute - Tuina program - Milpitas, J Street and Stockton Blvd locations (Education received at the Citrus Heights location may still be used for CAMTC certification purposes as long as the closed school requirements are met ) - Effective June 8, 2017
In't Health Center (a.k.a ELM Health Institute) - Effective June 8, 2017
Just for Your Health College of Massage - Effective June 8, 2017
LA. Vocational Institute - Effective July 9, 2015
Lincoln Institute of Body Therapy – Effective June 8, 2017
Linda Beauty School - Effective February 1, 2012
Lifestream Massage School - Effective December 1, 2015
Majestic Vocational Training Center- Effective September 21, 2015
Massage Technical Center - Effective February 21, 2013
Milpitas Electrolysis College- Effective May 21, 2012
Min Jian Healing Institute (a.k.a Perfect Day Spa) - Effective May 21, 2012
Mir Institute School of Massage and Pain Management Therapy - Effective April 14, 2015
Napa Valley School of Massage - Effective October 1, 2014
National Institute Of Massage Therapy (NIMT) - Effective May 21, 2012
New Wave Myotherapy- Effective July 16, 2013
Northern California Vocational College (a.k.a. California Vocational Cosmetology College) - Effective August 2, 2012
Oak English College (a.k.a. Royal Healing Academy) - Effective December 23, 2014
Oriental Medicine Institute of America (Oriental Medical Institute in America) - Effective May 21, 2012
Peaceful Training Center (aka Ocean College) - Effective June 8, 2017
Professional School of Massage (Transcripts received with graduation date after 10/30/2011) - Effective September 24, 2012
QH Beauty School- Effective July 16, 2013
Royal Irvin College- Effective May 21, 2012
San Diego Beauty College - Effective February 1, 2012
San Francisco College of Alternative Therapies- Effective May 21, 2012
Santa Ana Beauty College - Effective June 8, 2017
School of Healing Touch- Effective May 21, 2012
School of Traditional Medical Thai Massage - Effective February 21, 2013
Select Therapy Institute- Effective May 21, 2012
Stanton University - Effective March 2, 2019
Sunflower Advanced Beauty Institute - Effective May 10, 2012
Sunset College of Healing Arts - Effective February 1, 2012
Tammy Beauty Academy - Effective May 10, 2012
Tokyo Beauty and Massage School- Effective July 16, 2013
UBC - South El Monte - Effective February 1, 2012
Uniquely Yours Therapeutic Massage School- Effective July 16, 2013
United States Alternative College (a.k.a. Golden Acupressure Therapeutic Massage College) - Effective May 21, 2012
USA Pain Care College- Effective May 21, 2012
US Acupressure & Shiatsu School- Effective May 21, 2012
VIP Beauty School - Effective June 28, 2016
Xincon America School- Effective September 21, 2015
Yunique Wellness Center - Effective February 1, 2012
ZMS Academy - Effective June 28, 2016

Applicants who submit transcripts from un-approved schools after the effective date listed above will be told that their application is incomplete and that they will have up to one year in which to submit a transcript from a school which is approved. If an acceptable transcript is not submitted within one year, the incomplete application will be purged and the applicant will have to start over if he/she chooses to apply again after that date.

OUT-OF-STATE EDUCATION

In order for CAMTC to accept massage education from an out-of-state school, it must meet the requirements in the Massage Therapy Act. Detailed info is at:

Policies and Procedures for Evaluation of Out-of-State Education

Approved 11/29/2022 — Operative January 1, 2023

The California Massage Therapy Council (“CAMTC”) hereby adopts the following policies and procedures for the evaluation of out-of-state education, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code sections 4600 et. seq. (hereinafter the “Massage Therapy Act”).

In order for CAMTC to accept massage education from an out-of-state school, it must meet the requirements in the Massage Therapy Act. Business and Professions Code section 4601(a) provides:

“Approved school” or “approved massage school” means a school approved by the council that meets minimum standards for training and curriculum in massage and related subjects, that meets any of the following requirements, and that has not been otherwise unapproved by the council:…(5) Is a school requiring equal or greater training than what is required pursuant to this chapter and is recognized by the corresponding agency in another state or accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Emphasis added.)

Business and Professions Code section 4604(a)(6) also provides:

If an applicant has received education at a school that is not approved by the council, the council shall have the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant in a program outside of California. (Emphasis added.)

A new provision to the Business and Professions Code section 4604(a)(7), operative starting on January 1, 2023, adds the following:

If an applicant has received education at a school located outside of California or a school located in a country outside of the United States that does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 4601 to be an approved school, the council shall have the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant toward certification.

This means that in order for CAMTC to accept education from an out-of-state school:

The school must be recognized by a corresponding agency in another state (a state’s massage board, overseer of private postsecondary education, or department of education); accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education; or, for schools operating in a state that does not provide massage program approval, determined to be the equivalent of an approved program by CAMTC; AND
The school must require equal or greater training than what is required for certification; AND
The education provided must be comparable academic work (meaning it is the same as or greater than education provided by a CAMTC Approved School).

In cases where another state does not formally approve massage programs, CAMTC, in its sole discretion, may determine the out-of-state program to be the equivalent of an approved program and may accept education from the program if the school and/or applicant submit documentation which CAMTC deems to be sufficient.

If a school is not recognized by a corresponding agency in another state, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education, or determined to be the equivalent of an approved program by CAMTC, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. If the school does not require equal or greater training than what is required for CAMTC Certification, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. If the academic work is not comparable to education received at a CAMTC Approved School, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. Applicants who submit education from these schools will be notified by email or in writing that the education cannot be used for certification.

Out-of-state education completed at a school that is recognized by a corresponding agency in another state, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education, or determined to be the equivalent of an approved program by CAMTC will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the school provides equal or greater training than what is required for certification and whether it is comparable academic work, unless the school has been determined in accordance with these procedures to be a school that does not provide comparable academic work.

Procedures for Out-of-State Schools That Do Not Provide Comparable Academic Work

1. CAMTC may determine, in its sole discretion, that overall, a specific out-of-state school does not provide comparable academic work. In this case, CAMTC will not accept any education completed at the school. If this determination is made, transcripts will not be considered on a case-by-case basis and, instead, applicants will be informed that CAMTC cannot accept any education completed at the school.

2. CAMTC may decide that an out-of-state school does not provide comparable academic work for any of the reasons listed in CAMTC’s Policies and Procedures for Approval of Schools, section 6. Previous acceptance of education from a school does not prejudice a later decision that the school does not provide comparable academic work. CAMTC will notify the school, in writing, of its decision that the school does not provide comparable academic work, the reasons for that decision, and that CAMTC cannot accept any education completed at the school. A school may challenge the decision that it does not provide comparable academic work by complying with the following procedures:

Notify CAMTC, in writing, within 30 days of the date that the letter to the school was sent, that it has decided to challenge the decision that the school does not provide comparable academic work and whether or not it is requesting the opportunity to make an oral statement before CAMTC’s Board of not more than 20 minutes.
Provide to CAMTC, within 30 days of the date that the letter was sent to the school notifying it that the school does not provide comparable academic work, all documents, written statements, and any other evidence or materials it would like the Board consider.
1. If an oral statement before the Board is timely requested, the school will have the opportunity to make a no longer than 20-minute statement.
2. If no oral statement is timely requested, the Board will consider the challenge on the documents, evidence, and written materials timely submitted.
3. The school will be notified, in writing, within 90 days after the Board renders its decision, of the final outcome of the challenge to the designation of the school as an out-of-state school that does not provide comparable academic work. The decision of the Board shall be final.
If the school fails to timely notify CAMTC in writing of its challenge to the designation of the school as one that does not provide comparable academic work, CAMTC’s decision will stand.
Schools designated as out-of-state schools that do not provide comparable academic work will be listed on CAMTC’s website as such, and CAMTC will not accept education from these schools for certification purposes.

Out-of-state education completed at a school that is recognized by a corresponding agency in another state or accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the school provides equal or greater training than what is required for certification and whether it is comparable academic work to education received at a CAMTC Approved School, unless the school has been determined in accordance with the procedures to be a school that does not provide comparable academic work.

OUT-OF-STATE SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE COMPARABLE ACADEMIC WORK

CAMTC has determined that the following out-of-state schools do not provide comparable academic work. CAMTC will not accept any education completed at these schools.

American & European Massage Clinic – North Carolina
FuZuBa School of Massage and Reflexology – Nevada
Greater DFW International Massage Academy - TX
Hawaii Massage Academy - Hawaii
JK Holy Career Institute – New Jersey
Perfect Massage School – Michigan
Siloam School of Massage - Washington
World of Beauty Academy – Florida

OUT-OF-COUNTRY EDUCATION

Policies and Procedures for Evaluation of Out-of-Country Education

Approved 12/12/2024

The California Massage Therapy Council (“CAMTC”) hereby adopts the following policies and procedures for the evaluation of out-of-country education pursuant to California Business and Professions Code sections 4600 et. seq. (hereinafter the “Massage Therapy Act”).

In order for CAMTC to accept massage education from an out-of-country school, it must meet the requirements in the Massage Therapy Act. Business and Professions Code section 4601(a) provides:

“Approved school” or “approved massage school” means a school approved by the council that meets minimum standards for training and curriculum in massage and related subjects, that meets any of the following requirements, and that has not been otherwise unapproved by the council:…(5) Is a school requiring equal or greater training than what is required pursuant to this chapter and is recognized by the corresponding agency in another state or accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Emphasis added.)

Business and Professions Code section 4604(a)(6) also provides:

If an applicant has received education at a school that is not approved by the council, the council shall have the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant in a program outside of California. (Emphasis added.)

A new provision to the Business and Professions Code, section 4604(a)(7), operative starting on January 1, 2023, adds the following:

If an applicant has received education at a school located outside of California or a school located in a country outside of the United States that does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 4601 to be an approved school, the council shall have the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant toward certification.

This means that in order for CAMTC to accept education from an out-of-country school:

The school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or determined to be the equivalent of an approved or accredited school by CAMTC in its sole discretion; AND
The school must require equal or greater training than what is required for certification; AND
The education provided must be comparable academic work (meaning it is the same as or greater than education provided by a CAMTC Approved School).

If a school is not accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or determined to be the equivalent of an approved or accredited school by CAMTC, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. If the school does not require equal or greater training than what is required for CAMTC Certification, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. If the academic work is not comparable to education received at a CAMTC Approved School, then CAMTC cannot accept the education for certification purposes. Applicants who submit education from these schools will be notified by email or in writing that the education cannot be used for certification.

Out-of-country education completed at a school that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or determined to be the equivalent of an approved or accredited school by CAMTC will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the school provides equal or greater training than what is required for certification and whether it is comparable academic work, unless the school has been determined in accordance with these procedures to be a school that does not provide comparable academic work.

For CAMTC to determine whether the education provided is equal to or greater than training that is required for certification and whether it is comparable academic work, individual applicants for certification with education from out-of-country schools must complete the following, in addition to completing all other requirements for certification:

Credentials Evaluation Service
1. Individual applicants for certification must submit documentation of their education to a credentials evaluation service recognized by CAMTC for review.
2. A complete, accurate, and true transcript of the course of professional instruction successfully completed, which has been authenticated by the proper official of the massage therapy education program, must be submitted directly by the massage therapy education program to the evaluation service. If the school has closed and a custodian of records no longer exists, then the applicant may submit transcripts directly to the credentials evaluation service along with additional authenticating documents as may be required.
3. Transcripts and supporting documentation submitted in a language other than English shall be accompanied by an original translation certified by a certified translator who is someone other than the applicant.
4. The credentials evaluation service must submit a report directly to CAMTC, based on their review of original documentation, documenting that:
  1. The massage therapy education successfully completed by the applicant is substantially equivalent to that of a CAMTC Approved Program, as determined by CAMTC in its sole discretion.
  2. The completion of the applicant’s massage therapy education and training entitles the applicant to practice as a massage therapist in the location where the education and training was completed.
Additional Education
1. Successfully complete 50 hours from a CAMTC Approved Out-of-Country Supplement Program or Course as follows:
  1. A minimum of 10 hours of Ethics including, but not limited to, standards of ethical practice, California laws and rules, informed consent, therapeutic relationship, and confidentiality. These hours must be in-person.
  2. A minimum of 15 hours of Business including, but not limited to, professional development, obtaining and maintaining credentials, and adhering to laws and regulations. These hours may be in-person or synchronous interactive distance learning in accordance with current CAMTC Procedures.
  3. A minimum of 25 hours of Hands-On Massage including, but not limited to, client assessment and interview, client draping, massage application, and planning and administering an individualized therapeutic massage. These 25 hands-on hours must be in-person and may not include student clinic hours.
2. All hours must be under the active and direct supervision of qualified instructors.
3. For the hours to be considered successfully completed, students must be comprehensively assessed and evaluated by qualified instructors. All assessments, both physical and written, must be completed in person. The school shall document its determination that the student possesses the skills necessary to safely perform massage therapy on members of the public in accordance with California law and CAMTC’s Policies and Procedures, and directly transmit the results of the assessment to CAMTC.
4. Schools with CAMTC Approved Out-of-Country Supplement Programs or Courses must report the results of all students in the program to CAMTC.
  1. If a student fails the out-of-country supplement program or course, then CAMTC will not accept the out-of-country completed education and the student must complete 500 hours of education at a CAMTC approved massage program.
  2. If a student passes the out-of-country supplement program or course and provides satisfactory evidence that their prior out-of-country education is substantially equivalent to that of a CAMTC Approved Program, then the student meets the education requirements for CAMTC Certification.

Out-of-Country – North America Schools That CAMTC Has Determined Do Not Provide Comparable Academic Work

CAMTC may determine, in its sole discretion, that, overall, a specific out-of-country school does not provide comparable academic work. In this case, CAMTC will not accept any education completed at the school. If this determination is made, transcripts will not be considered on a case-by-case basis and, instead, applicants will be informed that CAMTC cannot accept any education completed at the school.

CAMTC APPROVED OUT-OF-COUNTRY SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS

Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, Santa Barbara

Massage Therapist - 550 hours
Out-of-Country - 55 hours

CAMTC School Code: SCH0020 Expires: 2/15/2027

CAMTC RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS EVALUATION SERVICES

International Education Research Foundation(IERF)

ierf.org (Required report type: Detail report with course level indicators)

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

jsilny.org

Notice: Please refer to the California Business and Professions Code section 4600 et.seq., School Approval Procedures, Denial Procedures, and all other CAMTC policies and procedures.

All information provided by CAMTC on this web page, and on its other web pages and internet sites, is made available merely to provide immediate access for the convenience of interested persons. While CAMTC believes that the information listed here is reliable, human or mechanical error remains a possibility, as does delay in the posting or updating of information. Therefore, CAMTC makes no guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, currency, or correct sequencing of the information. Neither CAMTC, nor any of the sources of the information relied upon, shall be responsible for any errors or omissions, failure to post or update in a timely manner, or for the use or results obtained from the use of this information.

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