California Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
California is different from many states when it comes to massage therapy continuing education. CAMTC certification does not currently require continuing education for recertification. However, local cities and counties may have their own massage therapy licensing, registration, business, or continuing education requirements.
The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) provides voluntary statewide certification for massage professionals. If you hold a CAMTC certificate, you should check the requirements that apply to your specific certification and also verify whether your city or county has additional requirements.
Always verify current requirements directly with CAMTC and your local city or county before completing continuing education.
California Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | California |
|---|---|
| CAMTC continuing education requirement | None currently required for recertification |
| CAMTC recertification | Required before certificate expiration |
| CE required for CAMTC recertification? | No |
| Local requirements | May vary by city or county |
| Online CE | Not required by CAMTC for recertification |
| Ethics CE | Not required by CAMTC for recertification |
| NCBTMB CE | May be used for NCBTMB Board Certification renewal |
Does California Require Continuing Education for Massage Therapists?
CAMTC does not currently require continuing education for certificate renewal.
CAMTC's current FAQ specifically states that continuing education is not required for certification recertification. Certificate holders are responsible for submitting a complete recertification application before their current certificate expires.
This means a California massage professional who is maintaining a CAMTC certificate does not need to complete a specific number of CE hours simply to recertify with CAMTC.
Does California Have Different Types of Massage Certification?
California's massage profession is different from states that issue a single statewide massage therapy license.
CAMTC provides voluntary certification, and its current certification system includes requirements related to massage education and training. CAMTC's current materials describe certification requirements based on education from CAMTC-approved massage programs and other qualifying education.
Because California's requirements can depend on the type of certification and the local jurisdiction where a massage professional practices, it is important to verify your individual requirements rather than assuming that a statewide CE requirement applies.
Does CAMTC Require CE Hours for Recertification?
No.
CAMTC currently states that certificate holders are not required to complete continuing education in order to recertify.
CAMTC certificate holders should instead focus on submitting their recertification application before their certificate expires and meeting the current recertification requirements.
CAMTC recommends submitting a complete recertification application at least 60 days before expiration to help avoid a lapse in certification. Certificate holders may apply beginning three months before their expiration date.
Do California Cities or Counties Require Massage Therapy CE?
They may.
California does not operate like a traditional single statewide massage therapy licensing system. Local governments may have their own requirements for massage professionals and massage businesses.
For this reason, a California massage therapist or practitioner should check with the city or county where they practice to determine whether local continuing education or other renewal requirements apply.
This is especially important if you are using continuing education for a local permit, registration, business license, or another professional requirement.
Can California Massage Therapists Take CE Online?
Yes.
Although CAMTC does not currently require CE for recertification, California massage professionals may still choose to complete online or home-study continuing education for professional development, NCBTMB Board Certification renewal, AMTA or ABMP requirements, or another applicable purpose.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, and our courses are designed for massage professionals seeking convenient online and home-study continuing education.
If you are completing CE because of a local California requirement, verify that the specific course and format are accepted by your city or county before enrolling.
Does California Require Ethics CE?
CAMTC does not currently require a specific number of ethics CE hours for recertification.
However, ethics education can still be valuable for California massage professionals and may be required for another credential, professional organization, employer, or local jurisdiction.
If you are completing ethics CE for a specific requirement, verify the requirements of the organization or jurisdiction requiring the education.
Why Take Massage Therapy CE in California If CAMTC Does Not Require It?
Even though CAMTC does not currently require CE for recertification, continuing education can still be useful for massage professionals who want to:
- Expand their massage therapy knowledge and skills
- Learn about new techniques and specialized populations
- Improve client safety and professional practice
- Maintain or renew NCBTMB Board Certification
- Meet requirements of professional organizations
- Meet a local city or county requirement
- Continue professional development
- Study topics that interest them or relate to their practice
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers more than 110 massage therapy continuing education courses covering massage techniques, anatomy, medical conditions, ethics, business, specialized populations, and other professional topics.
How to Complete Massage Therapy CE in California
Because CAMTC does not currently require CE for recertification, your first step should be determining why you need the CE.
Step 1: Check Your CAMTC Status
Determine whether you are currently certified through CAMTC and check your certificate expiration date.
Step 2: Determine Whether You Actually Need CE
If you are completing CE for CAMTC recertification alone, CE is not currently required.
Step 3: Check Your Local Requirements
Contact your city or county to determine whether your local jurisdiction has continuing education or other massage therapy requirements.
Step 4: Determine How Many Hours You Need
If your local jurisdiction, professional organization, employer, or other credential requires CE, determine the exact number of hours and any required subjects.
Step 5: Choose Appropriate Courses
Select courses that meet the requirements of the organization or jurisdiction for which you are completing CE.
Step 6: Keep Your Certificates
Keep your CE certificates and other documentation for your records. If the education is being completed for a specific local or professional requirement, follow that organization's documentation requirements.
California Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a California massage therapist need?
CAMTC currently does not require continuing education for recertification. However, local cities and counties may have their own requirements, so California massage professionals should verify the rules that apply to their specific location.
Does CAMTC require continuing education?
No. CAMTC currently states that continuing education is not required for recertification.
Can I take online CE courses in California?
Yes. Online and home-study courses can be taken for professional development or other purposes. If you are completing CE for a local requirement, verify that the local jurisdiction accepts the course and format.
Does California require ethics CE?
CAMTC does not currently require a specific number of ethics CE hours for recertification.
Does California have a statewide massage therapy license?
California's system is different from many states. CAMTC provides voluntary statewide certification for massage professionals, while local jurisdictions may have additional requirements.
Do California cities have their own massage therapy requirements?
Yes. Local requirements can vary, so massage professionals should check with the city or county where they practice.
Do I need CE to renew my CAMTC certificate?
No. CAMTC currently states that continuing education is not required for recertification. You must still complete the current recertification application and other applicable requirements before your certificate expires.
Can I take California CE through MassageTherapyCEU.com?
Yes. MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00 and offers online and home-study massage therapy continuing education courses.
If you are taking CE for a local California requirement, verify that the course meets the requirements of your specific city or county.
Can California massage therapists use your courses for NCBTMB renewal?
Yes. Our NCBTMB-approved courses can be used toward NCBTMB Board Certification renewal when they meet the current NCBTMB requirements.
Complete Your California Massage Therapy CE
While CAMTC does not currently require CE for recertification, continuing education can still be an important part of maintaining professional knowledge and meeting other professional or local requirements.
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers convenient online and home-study massage therapy CE courses for massage professionals who want to continue learning, maintain professional credentials, or meet applicable continuing education requirements.
NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00
Before purchasing a course, always verify the requirements of your specific California city or county, professional organization, or credentialing organization to make sure the course will satisfy the requirement for which you are taking it.