Top 30 Massage Schools In Los Angeles (2026)

Los Angeles offers a vibrant and diverse landscape for massage therapy education, reflecting the city’s strong emphasis on wellness, holistic health, and professional standards. The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) provides voluntary state-wide certification, and attending a CAMTC-approved school streamlines the certification process for graduates.

The city is home to a wide array of programs, from large, established institutions with decades of history to smaller, specialized schools focusing on specific techniques like integrative bodywork, craniosacral therapy, or holistic healing. Program lengths typically range from 500 to over 1,000 hours, and schools can be found throughout the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, North Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley.

Top 30 Massage Schools In Los Angeles (with Descriptions)

1. IPSB School of Integrative Psycho-Structural Bodywork

Founded in 1979, IPSB is one of the longest-running massage schools in Los Angeles, located in Santa Monica. It offers a 550-hour Integrative Massage and Bodywork Practitioner Program designed to promote career longevity through proper body mechanics and self-care. A unique 9-month intensive format is available for this year. The school emphasizes the connection between body structure, psychology, and therapeutic touch for comprehensive healing.

2. National Holistic Institute (NHI) – Studio City Campus

NHI is a well-established massage therapy college with a campus in Studio City, a key location in the Los Angeles area. It offers a CAMTC-approved program with a comprehensive curriculum covering multiple modalities and professional business practices. The school provides campus tours and information sessions for prospective students to explore their programs. NHI is known for preparing graduates for successful careers in various wellness settings.

3. American Institute of Massage Therapy

This private for-profit school is located in the Los Angeles area and offers a focused massage therapy program. In a recent year the institute graduated 47 students, all of whom earned Certificates in the field. As a very small, less-than-two-year school, it provides individualized attention and hands-on training. The program emphasizes practical skills and professional readiness for entry-level positions in the massage industry.

4. Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI)

Located in North Hollywood, SOCHI is a private for-profit, two-year college that offers a comprehensive massage therapy program. The school graduated 56 students recently with Certificates in massage therapy. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 31 to 1 and enrolls 156 students total. SOCHI provides practical training designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in healthcare and wellness environments.

5. California Healing Arts College

This very small, private for-profit, less-than-two-year school offers a dedicated massage therapy program. Recently, the college graduated 45 students in this field, all of whom earned Certificates. Located in a small city within the broader Los Angeles area, it provides focused, hands-on training in various massage techniques and bodywork modalities for aspiring therapists.

6. Fremont University

Located in Cerritos within the greater Los Angeles area, Fremont University is a very small, private for-profit, four-year university. It offers one Massage Therapy degree program and graduated 17 students with Certificates recently. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students for careers in clinical and spa settings throughout Southern California.

7. North-West College – West Covina

This campus of North-West College is located in the Los Angeles suburb of West Covina and offers a comprehensive massage therapy program. It is a very small, private for-profit, two-year college that graduated 24 students with Certificates recently. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical training and professional development for entry-level massage therapy positions in the healthcare field.

8. Downey Adult School

This public, two-year school in Downey, a Los Angeles suburb, offers a massage therapy program designed for career changers and adult learners. It is a very small institution that graduated an impressive 76 students with Certificates recently. The program provides affordable, accessible training with a focus on practical skills and professional readiness for the massage industry.

9. Los Angeles College of Aesthetics

This very small, private for-profit, less-than-two-year school offers a massage therapy program alongside aesthetics training. Located in a large city setting within the Los Angeles area, it provides students with a unique combination of beauty and wellness education. The program prepares graduates for careers in spas, resorts, and wellness centers seeking versatile practitioners.

10. Coastline Beauty College

Located in Fountain Valley, this very small, private for-profit, less-than-two-year school offers massage therapy programs alongside beauty training. It offers 2 Massage Therapy degree programs to accommodate different career interests. The school provides hands-on training in a supportive environment, preparing students for licensure and employment in the growing wellness industry throughout Southern California.

11. Universal Healthcare Careers College

This very small, private for-profit, less-than-two-year school is located in a large city within the Los Angeles area. It offers a massage therapy program and graduated 12 students with Certificates in a recent year. The school provides focused, practical training designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in healthcare settings and wellness centers across the region.

12. Hollywood Career College

Located in the heart of Los Angeles at 1552 N Western Ave, Hollywood Career College is a BPPE and CAMTC-approved massage school offering a 500-hour massage program. The curriculum covers fundamental techniques, anatomy, physiology, and professional ethics. Students receive hands-on training in a supportive environment, preparing them for successful careers in various massage therapy settings.

13. Acupuncture and Massage Institute of America

This institution is located at 6513 Whittier Blvd in Los Angeles and offers a comprehensive Massage Therapy program. The program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in massage therapy and includes instruction in various techniques and professional standards. Students gain practical experience through supervised clinical practice and hands-on training sessions.

14. Hands on Healing Institute

This massage therapy school is based on a philosophy of mind, body, and spirit connection to promote holistic wellness. It offers a Certified Professional Massage Therapy Program consisting of a 500-hour Core Curriculum plus 50 hours of Electives and Student Clinic. The school also provides extensive continuing education opportunities for professional development and advanced training.

15. Angeles College

Located in Los Angeles, Angeles College is a private institution offering a massage therapy program as part of its health sciences curriculum. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 and enrolls 603 students across all programs. The school provides practical, career-focused training designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in the wellness industry.

16. Southern California University of Health Sciences

Located in Whittier, this university offers a massage therapy program within its broader health sciences curriculum. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 42 to 1 and enrolls 2,008 students, making it one of the larger institutions offering massage programs in the area. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical excellence for aspiring therapists.

17. Burke Williams Academy of Massage Therapy

This school, located in Los Angeles, offers a 500-hour Massage Therapist program designed for professional practice. Its CAMTC approval should be verified by prospective students for the year. The program had been known for its comprehensive curriculum and connection to the Burke Williams spa brand in Southern California.

18. Fremont College

This school in Los Angeles offered a 740-hour Massage Therapy program and a more extensive 1120-hour Sports and Rehabilitation Therapy program. Its CAMTC school code is listed as closed or expired as of July 30, 2017. Prospective students should verify the current status of the school and its programs before applying.

19. Tui Na Massage Therapy Program

This CAMTC-approved program offers a 500-hour Tui Na Massage Therapy program based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Courses are available in both English and Mandarin Chinese to accommodate diverse student populations. The approval is current and expires soon, so prospective students should verify ongoing accreditation status.

20. Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide Program

This program, approved by CAMTC, offers an 800-hour curriculum that uniquely combines massage therapy training with physical therapy aide education. It has approval codes SCH0126 and SCH0127, with current approval running into the next year. Students gain dual skills that qualify them for positions in both massage therapy and physical therapy settings.

21. Massage Therapy and Sports Massage Therapy Program

This CAMTC-approved program offers a standard Massage Therapy program of 624 hours and a more extensive Massage Therapy and Sports Massage Therapy program of 1029 hours. The sports emphasis prepares graduates for work with athletic populations and injury rehabilitation. Please verify current status of approval..

22. Massage Practitioner and Therapist Program

This CAMTC-approved program offers two distinct pathways: a 520-hour Massage Practitioner program and a more comprehensive 610-hour Massage Therapist program. The approval for both programs expires on April 13, 2027. Students can choose the program length and focus that best aligns with their career goals and professional aspirations.

23. The Massage School (CAMTC Approved)

This program offers a CAMTC-approved massage therapy curriculum with a comprehensive approach to professional training. Specific details about program hours, location, and specialty areas are available through CAMTC resources and direct inquiry with the school. Prospective students should verify current approval status and program offerings before enrolling.

24. Healing Hands School of Holistic Health

This school offers a massage therapy program with multiple locations throughout Southern California. It emphasizes holistic health principles and integrates various bodywork modalities into its curriculum. Students gain practical experience through supervised clinical practice and hands-on training, preparing for careers in wellness centers, spas, and healthcare settings.

25. Santa Monica Massage School

This school offers a massage therapy program in the Santa Monica area, serving students in West Los Angeles. Its CAMTC approval status can be verified through the official council website. The program focuses on practical skills and professional development for entry-level positions in the wellness industry along the vibrant Westside corridor.

26. Bodyworks Massage Therapy School

This school provides massage therapy training in the Los Angeles region with an emphasis on bodywork techniques and therapeutic application. Prospective students can check its CAMTC approval status directly through the council’s website. The program prepares graduates for careers in clinical and spa settings throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

27. Academy of Professional Massage

This institution offers a massage therapy program with a strong focus on professional training and clinical skills development. Its location and approval details are available for review through CAMTC resources. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, technical proficiency, and business skills for successful careers in the wellness industry.

28. Advanced Massage Therapeutics

This school specializes in advanced massage therapy techniques and professional development for aspiring therapists. Prospective students can inquire about its program offerings, accreditation status, and clinical training opportunities. The school focuses on preparing graduates for specialized careers in therapeutic and clinical massage settings.

29. Los Angeles Massage Therapy Institute

This institute provides comprehensive massage therapy education in the Los Angeles area with a focus on practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Details about its program hours, curriculum focus, and CAMTC approval are available upon request. The school prepares students for diverse careers in wellness, healthcare, and spa environments.

30. Pacific Coast Massage School

This school offers massage therapy training with an emphasis on clinical practice and professional ethics. Its location and accreditation status can be verified through official CAMTC channels. Students gain hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge necessary for successful careers in the growing massage therapy field throughout California.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Application

Start by prioritizing schools approved by the California Massage Therapy Council to ensure your education qualifies you for voluntary state certification, which is highly valued by employers and streamlines your path to professional practice. Research each school’s program length and focus, as options range from 500 to over 1,000 hours, with some specializing in sports massage, holistic bodywork, or traditional Chinese medicine like Tui Na.

Consider the school’s location carefully, as Los Angeles has campuses in Hollywood, Santa Monica, North Hollywood, and various suburbs, each offering different clinical opportunities. Attend open houses and campus tours offered by schools like National Holistic Institute to get a firsthand feel for the environment, teaching style, and available resources.

Review the school’s track record, including graduate numbers and any reported MBLEx pass rates if available, as these indicate program quality. Ask about financial aid options and payment plans, as some schools like IPSB offer interest-free payment plans to make education more accessible.

Consider the school’s teaching philosophy and whether it aligns with your career goals, whether you seek a general practice or a specialized modality like sports or clinical massage. Finally, verify the school’s current approval status directly with CAMTC, as approval dates can expire, and ensure your chosen program will be accepted for certification.

Closing

Los Angeles presents a wealth of options for aspiring massage therapists, from long-established institutions like IPSB, which has been operating since 1979, to a range of smaller specialized schools and larger universities.

The variety of programs ensures that students can find training that matches their career goals, whether in general practice, sports therapy, holistic bodywork, or traditional Chinese medicine. Choosing a CAMTC-approved program is a key step toward achieving state-wide certification and professional credibility in the competitive wellness industry.

By researching program hours, visiting campuses, and verifying current approvals, prospective students can find a school that fits their needs and sets them on a rewarding career path in the growing wellness industry. Note that all program details and approval statuses are subject to change, and it is essential to verify current information directly with each school and the California Massage Therapy Council to ensure your education meets certification requirements.