Est. 1984 · Fair Oaks, California
A Path to
Holistic Healing
Offering certification programs and continuing education for massage therapists and nurses. Launch your career with confidence.

Trusted leader in massage therapy education since 1984
Successful careers launched through our programs
Meeting California licensing requirements
About Us
Launch Your Career
with Confidence
For over 40 years, Fair Oaks Massage Institute has been a trusted leader in massage therapy education. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to your success, offering in-depth training, ongoing support, and flexible learning options.
Whether you're working toward Clinical Massage Therapist certification or expanding your skills through continuing education, our programs are designed to fit your lifestyle—with affordable monthly payment plans to help you get started.
Our Programs
Certification Programs
Our next weekday class begins September 8, 2026.
Classes are held Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

500-Hour Professional Certification
Clinical Massage Therapist
Our comprehensive 500-hour program provides training in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Health & Hygiene, Business, Legal Regulations, and Ethics.
- 500 hours of hands-on training
- CAMTC certification compliant
- Swedish & deep tissue techniques
- Sports & medical massage training
- Business & ethics education

620-Hour Advanced Certification
Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist
Intensive training including all 500 core hours plus 120 additional advanced hours in Shiatsu, Eastern modalities, and specialized bodywork techniques.
- 500+ hours core training
- 120 hours advanced training
- Advanced bodywork techniques
- Shiatsu & Eastern modalities
- Personalized program planning
Continuing Education
Upcoming Workshops
Expand your skills and earn CE hours with our hands-on workshops taught by experienced practitioners.
Select a Workshop
Click on a workshop to view details and register.
Looking for a specific topic? We offer custom workshops for groups.
Student Stories
Hear From Our
Graduates
“The instructors at FOMI truly care about your success. The hands-on training and one-on-one support helped me build confidence in my skills.”
Sarah M.
CMT Graduate, 2023
“I was able to work full-time while completing my certification thanks to the flexible scheduling. The payment plans made it affordable too.”
Michael R.
CMT Graduate, 2022
“The continuing education courses have helped me specialize in lymphatic massage and grow my client base significantly.”
Jennifer L.
Practicing Therapist
As Seen On
Featured in the News
KCRA 3 News explores the benefits of lymphatic massage therapy with insights from our expert instructors.
Trusted & Accredited
Recognized Excellence in Massage Education
Approved
California Massage
Therapy Council
Approved
Bureau for Private
Postsecondary Education
Years
Trusted Education
Since 1984
“This is the best school ever! I Love❤️ it here and that's saying alot coming from me, because I always hated school and testing. Never could get a C in my life but here I got a 95% on my srate exam test, Amazing! My confidence went up so much! Wes is a great teacher and I love the way he teaches so much. He uses alot of pictures and videos keep my attention. Am NOT bored here at all, not even a moment he's so funny and I feel so comfortable like am at home with family. It's so much fun and I learn so much in 1 day even. Am so glad I chose this school, no regrets. 10 🌟 stars. Highly recommend it, you won't regret it. Thank you Wes 😊 am so lucky to have had such a great teacher in my life. Thank you for sharing your endless knowledge with us.”
“This class was taught well, whomever attends is very gifted with the teacher "Wes". He is very educated about our body's, This class is very helpful because the class is two parts, book work in the beginning, then hands on with fellow students(aka our clients). If you are interested in this field, give this institute a shot, Wes is a great instructor.”
“Fate smiled on me the day that I found Fair Oaks Holistic Massage School. I had wanted to take a course during covid and I was looking for a mind, body and spirit experience that I could translate into a sports and post surgical massage career. I called and spoke to Madonna the founder and felt her gentle energy come thru the phone. I was concerned that I would have to learn from an instructor that would be mumbling thru a mask and she reassured me that would not be the case, as the laws were not requiring that. To say that it was an enjoyable experience would fall short, it was a remarkable experience. The curriculum has a wide range of techniques and styles, from spa to medical and also offers injury management and asian studies. The school’s director of education and instructor Wes Barnett, was not only over qualified for his position, but lit with a fire and passion for achieving personal excellence in the massage industry that is something to experience. In class I met many people who were, like me, commuting in from all over the United States and abroad to learn from this famous or should I say infamous personality. His ethics, advanced techniques and call for personal mastery will stay with me for a lifetime. I completed the 620 hour course so that I could take the MBLEx (National Certification) enabling me to transfer anywhere in the United States, I live in Las Vegas. Most people are happy to graduate and move on, I have to say that I was sad that I wouldn’t see Wes weekly after that. Madonna and Wes are truly exemplary at what they do and care deeply that everyone coming thru their program succeeds not only in massage, but in life. Their stacked up cork board with job offerings for their graduating students come from all over the world and proves this school’s stellar reputation among the best employers in the industry. If you are looking for a launching pad that will propel you into your best potential in this field, you have found it. The rest is up to you.”
“I like the learning atmosphere and environment here. I like teacher Wes, he is a very responsible and humorous teacher. I miss my time studying here. Grateful🙏”
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about becoming a certified massage therapist in California.
How long does it take to become a certified massage therapist in California?
How long does it take to complete the 500-hour program?
What is CAMTC certification and why is it important?
How much does massage therapy school cost?
Can I work while attending massage school?
Do you offer flexible scheduling for working students?
What is the difference between the 500-hour and 620-hour programs?
Is Fair Oaks Massage Institute approved by CAMTC?
Does CAMTC require ongoing continuing education?
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
Do you offer continuing education workshops?
Where is Fair Oaks Massage Institute located?
When do classes start?
Get in Touch
Let's Start Your
Journey
Have questions about our programs? Ready to enroll? We're here to help you take the next step toward your massage therapy career.
Phone
(916) 965-4063Hours
By Appointment Only