Martial Arts Laws in Oregon: Contracts, Cancellation, Safeguarding and Combat Sports

Oregon's health spa law, ORS 646A.030 to 646A.042, covers businesses that sell instruction or training in physical exercise, which likely reaches many martial arts schools. It caps contracts at three years, requires a three-business-day cancellation notice and requires escrow of pre-opening money. Oregon's automatic renewal law applies to recurring billing. Compensated coaches of child athletes are mandatory reporters, and Jenna's Law sets concussion rules for nonschool youth teams.

Oregon at a glance

A field that reads “none located” means our research did not find a statewide rule. It does not prove that none exists, and local rules may still apply.

Which martial arts businesses does Oregon law reach?

Oregon defines a "health spa" as a person engaged, as a primary purpose, in the sale of instruction, training, assistance or use of facilities that are purported to assist patrons in physical exercise, weight control or figure development (ORS 646A.030(4)). State-run facilities are excluded. The statute does not name martial arts. Because most martial arts schools sell instruction and training that involves physical exercise, the law likely applies to them, although a school could argue that self-defense or traditional art instruction is its primary purpose. We located no court or Attorney General ruling on the point.

Violating ORS 646A.030 to 646A.040 is an unlawful trade practice under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act, ORS 646.608(1)(cc).

What are the membership contract rules in Oregon?

A health spa must give prospective buyers a written price list of all plans and may not sell any plan not on the list (ORS 646A.032). Each contract must be in writing, with a copy given at signing (ORS 646A.034). It must identify the provider, describe the services (with a completion date for any planned facility), include or acknowledge the spa's rules and state the duration. The duration may not exceed three years from the contract date (ORS 646A.034(4)).

Money paid before a facility opens must be deposited in a trust account at an Oregon bank, savings association or licensed escrow agent. The spa must notify the Attorney General in writing within seven days of the first deposit and give the buyer a receipt naming the depository. Buyers' claims to these funds come ahead of other creditors. If the facility does not open on the stated date, or the buyer cancels, a full refund with interest is due within 10 days (ORS 646A.038).

We did not locate any state registration or bonding requirement for health spas in Oregon. A buyer cannot waive these protections (ORS 646A.040).

Cancellation, refunds and automatic renewal in Oregon

Every contract must include a boxed "BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" notice allowing cancellation by written notice delivered or mailed before midnight of the third business day after signing, with a full refund within 15 days (ORS 646A.034(7)). Business day excludes Sundays and legal holidays.

The contract must also allow cancellation if the buyer dies or becomes physically unable to use a substantial portion of the services, if the spa goes out of business, if the facility closest to the buyer moves more than five additional miles away, if a promised facility is not completed on time, or if the spa materially changes the services. The refund is pro rata by weeks remaining (ORS 646A.034(5) to (6)).

Oregon's automatic renewal law, ORS 646A.292 to 646A.295, covers paid subscriptions that renew automatically or continue until cancelled. Before the sale, the business must present the offer terms clearly and conspicuously near the consent request: that billing continues until cancelled, the cancellation policy, the recurring charge, the renewal length and any minimum purchase. It must get affirmative consent before charging the card, send a retainable acknowledgment explaining how to cancel, provide a toll-free number, email address or other cost-effective and easy cancellation method, and give notice of material changes. A violation is an unlawful trade practice (ORS 646.608(1)(ttt)). The 2025 edition of the ORS shows no amendment since 2011, and we located no 2024 to 2026 change.

Child safeguarding, abuse reporting and background checks in Oregon

Oregon uses a list of mandatory reporters in ORS 419B.005. The list includes a coach, assistant coach or trainer of an amateur, semiprofessional or professional athlete, if compensated and if the athlete is a child. It also includes employees of public or private organizations providing child-related services or activities, such as youth groups, centers and camps. Paid martial arts instructors who coach children are very likely covered. Reports go to the Oregon Department of Human Services or law enforcement (ORS 419B.015). Unpaid volunteers are not listed unless they fit another category.

We did not locate a statewide statute requiring background checks for staff at private martial arts schools or private youth sports programs. Checks are recommended.

Oregon's Jenna's Law, ORS 417.875, applies to nonschool athletic teams with members under 18. A coach, paid or volunteer, may not let a member with concussion signs or a diagnosed concussion participate the same day, and return requires a medical release from a qualified health care professional. League governing bodies affiliated with nonprofits must ensure annual concussion training for coaches and referees. Whether a martial arts school's competition team is a "nonschool athletic team" is not settled, but following the rule is prudent.

Business registration, tax, workers' compensation and insurance in Oregon

Businesses register with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division. Local business licenses, zoning and occupancy are handled by cities and counties. We located no state license for operating a martial arts school.

Oregon has no general state sales tax, so tuition is not subject to state sales tax.

We located no general state mandate for liability insurance. Every employer employing one or more subject workers in Oregon is subject to the workers' compensation law (ORS 656.023).

MMA, kickboxing and combat-sports regulation in Oregon

The Oregon State Athletic Commission sits within the Department of State Police, and the Superintendent of State Police licenses competitors, promoters, managers, matchmakers and officials (ORS 463.113, 463.025, 463.035). Promoters must post a corporate surety bond. The Superintendent assigns medical personnel to each event, and competitors must be medically qualified before competing (ORS 463.047). A 6 percent tax applies to gross admission receipts (ORS 463.320).

"Unarmed combat sports" means competition won by striking, knockout, technical knockout or submission. The definition expressly excludes taekwondo, karate, kenpo, judo, sumo, jujitsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, submission wrestling, kung fu, submission grappling and other martial arts where the competitor wins by points only and the art is exhibited independently (ORS 463.015(16)). Point tournaments are therefore outside the commission's licensing.

Amateur bouts are handled through amateur athletic organizations, which must be approved by the Superintendent (ORS 463.057). Events run by approved organizations, and their affiliated membership clubs, are exempt from licensing and bonding if no competitor receives remuneration (ORS 463.210). Ordinary classes are not regulated. Violations are Class A misdemeanors (ORS 463.995).

Who enforces these rules in Oregon?

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection section enforces the Unlawful Trade Practices Act, ORS 646.605 to 646.656. Violations of the health spa law and the automatic renewal law are listed unlawful practices. Consumers who suffer an ascertainable loss have a private right of action under ORS 646.638. The health spa remedies are in addition to other remedies (ORS 646A.042).

Frequently asked questions

Can a martial arts school in Oregon sell a multi-year membership?

Yes, up to three years if the health spa law applies, which is likely. Contracts longer than three years from the contract date are not allowed under ORS 646A.034(4).

How do cancellations work for Oregon martial arts contracts?

Students can cancel in writing by midnight of the third business day for a full refund within 15 days. Contracts must also allow cancellation on death, disability, closure, a facility move of more than five additional miles, or material changes, with a pro rata refund.

Are Oregon martial arts instructors required to get background checks?

We found no state law requiring them for private schools. Paid coaches of child athletes are mandatory child abuse reporters under ORS 419B.005, so training on reporting is required in practice.

Does my Oregon MMA gym need a license?

Not for classes. Professional unarmed combat events require State Police licensing. Amateur events must be run under an amateur athletic organization approved by the Superintendent. Point-only karate, taekwondo, judo and BJJ tournaments are outside the definition.

Official sources

1. ORS Chapter 646A (Health Spas, ORS 646A.030 to 646A.042; Automatic Renewal, ORS 646A.292 to 646A.295) · Oregon State Legislature
2. ORS Chapter 646 (Unlawful Trade Practices Act, ORS 646.608, 646.638) · Oregon State Legislature
3. ORS Chapter 419B (ORS 419B.005 mandatory reporters) · Oregon State Legislature
4. ORS Chapter 417 (ORS 417.875 concussions, nonschool athletic teams) · Oregon State Legislature
5. ORS Chapter 463, Unarmed Combat Sports (2025 edition) · Oregon State Legislature
6. Oregon State Athletic Commission · Oregon State Police
7. ORS Chapter 656 (ORS 656.023 subject employers) · Oregon State Legislature
8. Consumer Protection · Oregon Department of Justice
9. Business registration · Oregon Secretary of State