Thousand Oaks, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Certification required
- Current CAMTC practitioner/therapist certificate for every technician
- Registration
- Annual massage establishment certificate of registration
- Background check trigger
- Non-CAMTC-certified owner with 5%+ interest
- Background check timeline
- City has up to 60 days to investigate
- Appeal window
- 14 days to appeal a denial or revocation
- Penalty class
- Infraction or misdemeanor, each day a separate offense (§5-17.18)
Summary
Thousand Oaks requires every massage business and technician to hold current CAMTC (California Massage Therapy Council) certification: there is no separate city-only massage license. Owners must also get an annual city certificate of registration, and anyone owning 5% or more of a non-CAMTC-certified establishment must pass a City background check.
It is unlawful for any person to own, operate or maintain a massage establishment unless all massage technicians employed by the massage establishment hold a current, valid certification from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist.
(b) Massage technician. It is unlawful for any person to engage in, or carry on the business or activities of a massage technician without a certification from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist.
(c) Off-premises massage service. It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, or maintain an off-premise massage service in the City unless all massage technicians employed by the off-premises massage service hold a current, valid certification from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist. (Part 2, Ord. 1577-NS, eff. July 27, 2012)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-78: 2026 S-78 Supplement contains: Current city legislation passed through March 31, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under TOMC Chapter 17, it is unlawful to own, operate, or maintain a massage establishment (or off-premises massage service) unless every technician employed holds a current CAMTC practitioner or therapist certificate, and unlawful for a technician to practice without one. Establishments must file an annual application with CAMTC verification, and any owner holding 5%+ interest who isn't CAMTC-certified must submit to a Police Department background investigation (with a non-refundable fee) covering criminal history, prior license revocations, and disqualifying convictions listed in Government Code §51032. Facilities must also meet operational standards: posted signage, minimum lighting (60-watt fixture per treatment room), separate male/female dressing and toilet facilities (waived for foot-massage-only businesses), disinfected instruments, and no use of treatment rooms for sleeping. Certain professionals, acupuncturists, licensed barbers/cosmetologists doing scalp massage, and health care professionals like nurses and chiropractors, are exempt from CAMTC certification for services within their own licensed scope.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Chapter 17 may be prosecuted as an infraction (fine only) or a misdemeanor (fine and/or imprisonment) under Government Code §36900 et seq., with each day of continuing violation a separate offense (TOMC §5-17.18). The Director or City Attorney can also revoke or suspend a registration certificate for fraud, chapter violations, disqualifying convictions, employing uncertified technicians, or three or more civil penalties within six months (§5-17.15), and can pursue civil abatement of the business as a public nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a massage therapist in Thousand Oaks without CAMTC certification?
Does every massage business owner in Thousand Oaks need a background check?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thousand Oaks
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