Massage licensing and regulations vary by city within the state of California.  While we've made every effort to accurately present this information, please check with your local government office for the most up-to-date information.

Santa Monica Massage License Regulations
In an effort to combat the proliferation of prostitution in the guise of massage therapy, Santa Monica has recently changed their hourly minimums for massage certification. The city now requires 500-hours and a passing grade on a massage proficiency test administered by the city (as well as fingerprinting, a background check and a physicians statement declaring you free from communicable diseases).

To download documents for the Santa Monica license application, click here.

The specific city ordinances governing massage therapy can be found here: http://www.qcode.us/codes/santamonica/index.php?topic=6-6_104

An overview of the steps necessary to obtain a license can be found here: www01.smgov.net/finance/licenses/pdf/MassageHandout.pdf
(This does not reflect the new hour requirements.)

To renew Santa Monica licenses: www.businesslicense.smgov.net

Los Angeles Massage License Regulations
Unfortunately, the requirements aren’t listed online, but a short call to the Police Commission at (213) 485-8081, will clarify the basic process described below.

Step 1: Pick up an information packet for massage therapists at the Office of Finance branch closest to you; addresses can be found at http://www.lacity.org/finance/finF.htm

Step 2: Review and complete application for massage license. There are 3 different licenses you can choose to obtain. For both the On-Premises & the Off-Premises license, you will need to provide a transcript showing a minimum of 300 hours of training, a physician’s letter (issued within 30 days) stating that you are free of any communicable diseases.

1. On Premises License ($261.00) – You will need this license if you are hired to perform massage on-location at an established business.
2. Off Premises License ($266.00) – You will need this license if you are hired by an established business to perform massages at a location other than that business, e.g. a house call. 
3. Business License ($402.00) – You will need this license in addition to an Off Premises License if clients call you directly for massages at their residence or place of business. You are considered an independent contract/ business by the city. This license does not allow you to conduct massage at your residential address. Expect to pay an additional $106.43 for this license. The Department of Finance offers a free class every Wednesday 10am-12pm to help in the process of establishing a business.
   

**NOTE – The address on your application must be your home address. Your home address must match the address on file for you at the DMV. Make sure that your information is current with them. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

Step 3: Drop off your completed application and fees to your Local Office of Finance. You will need to be fingerprinted within 24 hours of submitting your application, so are advised to get fingerprinted the same day that you drop off your application. There is an additional $32 fee for fingerprinting. Again, be sure that the application is correctly and completely filled out and that your address on file with the DMV matches the address on your application.

Step 4: Take massage skills test. Once your application has been received, it is researched and verified. Once verified, you will be contacted with the date and location of the skills test (written and practical) needed to obtain your license. You will need to provide three 1x1-inch photographs. The City has recently changed the location of the massage testing facility, and since the last test in Aug 08, has yet to schedule any for the future, though in the past they were offered monthly.