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

Massachusetts' health club law, G.L. c. 93, §§ 78 to 88, expressly covers "martial arts and self-defense schools" and the teaching of judo, karate and self-defense. It caps contracts at 36 months, requires a 3-business-day cancellation notice and an "Additional Rights to Cancellation" notice for death, disability, relocation and closure, requires a surety bond filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and requires an AED and trained staff on site. Since September 2, 2025, the Attorney General's regulation 940 CMR 38.00 governs recurring charges and trial offers. Organizations primarily serving children must obtain CORI checks on staff and volunteers, and the State Athletic Commission licenses unarmed combat events, including amateur bouts.

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts law reach?

G.L. c. 93, § 78 defines a contract for health club services to include instruction or training in physical fitness, "including … the teaching of martial arts including judo, karate and self-defense." A "health club" expressly includes "martial arts and self-defense schools." Any business that operates such a school or sells such contracts is a "seller." There is no nonprofit exclusion in the definition, and no minimum term or prepayment threshold for most of the contract rules.

A health club must also keep at least one automated external defibrillator on the premises and have at least one employee or authorized volunteer trained as an AED provider in attendance during staffed hours (c. 93, § 78A). This applies to martial arts schools because they are health clubs under § 78.

What are the membership contract rules in Massachusetts?

No contract may be measured by the life of the buyer or run longer than 36 months. At expiration the seller may offer a renewal of up to 36 months. Payments may not extend more than one month past the end of the contract, installments must be substantially equal and no more frequent than monthly, and contracts may not cut off the buyer's claims or defenses or be assigned to another club without written consent (c. 93, § 80).

For five years after it begins operating, each seller must keep a surety bond for each location: $25,000 if it sells terms of 24 months or less, or $100,000 if it sells terms of more than 24 and up to 36 months. Evidence of the bond must be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth within 30 days. The bond protects buyers if the club closes, fails to open, or fails to honor cancellation rights. A narrow exception covers weight loss services without exercise facilities or classes (c. 93, § 79).

Section 84 lists unfair practices, including misrepresenting facilities, programs, prices or staff qualifications, failing to post all course and membership prices and offers on the premises, and misrepresenting cancellation rights. A contract that does not comply is void and unenforceable, and waivers of the law are void (c. 93, § 85).

Cancellation, refunds and automatic renewal in Massachusetts

Every contract must state, in at least 10-point bold type, the notice titled "CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO CANCELLATION": the buyer may cancel without penalty by written notice delivered in person or postmarked by certified or registered mail within three business days of the contract or receipt. The notice must also be posted in the club. All money must be refunded within 15 business days, and any credit agreement is void (c. 93, § 81).

Every contract must also include an "ADDITIONAL RIGHTS TO CANCELLATION" notice. The buyer or estate may cancel for death; for a doctor-ordered significant physical or medical disability lasting more than three months; if the seller fails to open, permanently closes, or substantially changes the location; or if the buyer moves residence or workplace more than 25 miles from any club of the seller or a substantially similar club that will accept the contract. Refunds are due within 15 days, less the value of time used and reasonable costs of goods consumed or kept (c. 93, § 82).

Massachusetts has no general automatic renewal statute. The Attorney General's regulation 940 CMR 38.00 applies to acts and practices on and after September 2, 2025 (940 CMR 38.09). For any product with a negative option feature, such as a membership that bills until canceled, it requires clear written disclosure before purchase that charges will recur and how to cancel; a simple cancellation mechanism at least as easy as sign-up and in the same medium; and, for in-person sign-ups, cancellation online or by phone in addition to in person where practical. For negative options longer than 31 days, a written notice is due 5 to 30 days before the cancellation deadline. For monthly terms, the seller must give either that notice or a notice with each charge stating the amount and how to cancel (940 CMR 38.05). The same regulation requires all-in total pricing in advertising (940 CMR 38.04).

Child safeguarding, abuse reporting and background checks in Massachusetts

Massachusetts uses a list of mandated reporters in G.L. c. 119, § 21. It includes public and private school teachers, child care workers, any person paid to care for or work with a child in a program funded by the Commonwealth or licensed under c. 15D, people employed by a church to coach or train a child, and any person "in charge of a medical or other public or private institution, school or facility." Private martial arts instructors are not expressly listed. Whether an owner is "in charge of a … private … facility" is not settled. Reports go to the Department of Children and Families under c. 119, § 51A.

Massachusetts has a clear background check mandate. Under G.L. c. 6, § 172H, any entity or organization primarily engaged in providing activities or programs to children 18 or younger must obtain all available criminal offender record information (CORI) from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services before accepting any person as an employee, volunteer, vendor or contractor. A martial arts school whose business is mainly youth classes fits this description. Schools serving mostly adults may still choose to screen.

The Massachusetts concussion law, G.L. c. 111, § 222, applies to public schools and schools subject to Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules. We did not locate a statute applying it to private youth sports or martial arts businesses.

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

Businesses register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Corporations Division. Local business certificates, zoning and occupancy are municipal. No state license for martial arts schools was located beyond the health club bond and AED rules.

Whether Massachusetts sales tax applies to martial arts tuition or memberships is not verified. No general liability insurance mandate was located. Every employer must provide workers' compensation coverage for its employees by insurance or approved self-insurance (G.L. c. 152, § 25A).

MMA, kickboxing and combat-sports regulation in Massachusetts

The State Athletic Commission licenses boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and other unarmed combative events. Under G.L. c. 147, § 32(b), no such "event or sparring match or exhibition for a prize or purse, or at which an admission fee is charged, either directly or indirectly, in the form of dues or otherwise, whether professional or amateur," may be held without a Commission license. This matters for gyms: an in-house fight night or smoker that charges admission, even indirectly, needs a license. Ordinary classes and sparring with no prize and no admission charge are not covered by this text.

Licensees must post a $50,000 bond (c. 147, § 34). Physicians, promoters, referees, judges, timekeepers, professional contestants, managers, trainers and seconds must be licensed, and no one under 18 may be licensed except as § 39 allows (c. 147, § 35). For bouts held under the rules of amateur organizations approved by the Commission, the Commission may issue special licenses without the bond or annual fee (c. 147, § 32(b)). Toughman contests, meaning bouts by people not licensed as professionals or recognized as amateurs by an approved organization, are banned, and unlicensed events can bring fines up to $5,000 and jail (c. 147, § 32(c)). School and college bouts under MIAA or NCAA governance are exempt.

Who enforces these rules in Massachusetts?

The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces c. 93A, the state UDAP statute, and the health club law. Violations of §§ 78 to 88 are unfair and deceptive practices under c. 93A (c. 93, § 84). Any injured buyer, or the Attorney General, may sue for damages and other relief, including multiple damages and attorney's fees as provided in c. 93A (c. 93, § 86). The Attorney General may also seek civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation (c. 93, § 87) and enforce the bond requirement (c. 93, § 88).

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, up to 36 months, and never for life (G.L. c. 93, § 80). Selling terms over 24 months raises the required bond from $25,000 to $100,000 per location for the first five years (§ 79).

What cancellation rights do Massachusetts students have?

Three business days to cancel for any reason with a full refund in 15 business days. After that, a student or estate may cancel for death, a doctor-ordered disability over three months, a move over 25 miles, or closure or a substantial change at the school, with a prorated refund within 15 days (c. 93, §§ 81 and 82).

Do Massachusetts martial arts schools have to run background checks?

If the school is primarily engaged in programs for children 18 and under, yes. G.L. c. 6, § 172H requires CORI checks before accepting any employee, volunteer, vendor or contractor.

Does my MMA gym need a license from the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission?

Classes do not. Any MMA, kickboxing or other unarmed combat event or sparring exhibition, amateur or professional, that offers a prize or charges admission directly or through dues needs a Commission license. Amateur events run under a Commission-approved amateur organization can get a special license.

Official sources

1. G.L. c. 93, § 78, Health club definitions · Massachusetts General Court
2. G.L. c. 93, § 78A, AED requirement · Massachusetts General Court
3. G.L. c. 93, § 79, Bond requirement · Massachusetts General Court
4. G.L. c. 93, § 80, Contract terms · Massachusetts General Court
5. G.L. c. 93, § 81, Three-day cancellation · Massachusetts General Court
6. G.L. c. 93, § 82, Additional cancellation rights · Massachusetts General Court
7. G.L. c. 93, § 84, Unfair practices of health clubs · Massachusetts General Court
8. G.L. c. 93, § 86, Private actions · Massachusetts General Court
9. G.L. c. 93, § 87, Civil penalty · Massachusetts General Court
10. 940 CMR 38.00, Unfair and Deceptive Fees · Massachusetts Attorney General (via Mass.gov)
11. G.L. c. 119, § 21, Definitions (mandated reporter) · Massachusetts General Court
12. G.L. c. 6, § 172H, Children's programs to obtain criminal and juvenile data · Massachusetts General Court
13. G.L. c. 111, § 222, Interscholastic athletic head injury safety · Massachusetts General Court
14. G.L. c. 147, § 32, Licensing of unarmed combative events · Massachusetts General Court
15. G.L. c. 147, § 34, Bond · Massachusetts General Court
16. G.L. c. 147, § 35, Individual licenses · Massachusetts General Court
17. Massachusetts State Athletic Commission · Commonwealth of Massachusetts
18. G.L. c. 152, § 25A, Workers' compensation insurance · Massachusetts General Court
19. Office of the Attorney General · Commonwealth of Massachusetts