LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 8Ch. 2Art. 2§ 18627 Martial Arts Definitions

§ 18627 Martial Arts Definitions

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18627 Martial Arts Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •Martial arts include karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts, but no weapons are allowed.
  • •Kickboxing is a type of boxing where you can use your hands and legs (including feet) to hit.
  • •Full contact means you can hit hard and might hurt your opponent.
  • •Light contact means you can’t hit the face and shouldn’t try to hurt your opponent.
  • •Noncontact means no hitting at all between fighters.

Example

Two people are in a kickboxing match at a local gym.

If one person punches the other in the face and kicks their legs hard, it’s full contact kickboxing. But if they only lightly tap each other and avoid the face, it’s light contact. If they just move around without touching, it’s noncontact.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18627 Martial Arts Definitions

(a) “Martial arts” means any form of karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, kickboxing or any combination of full contact martial arts, including mixed martial arts, or self-defense conducted on a full contact basis where a weapon is not used. (b) “Kickboxing” means any form of boxing in which blows are delivered with the hand and any part of the leg below the hip, including the foot. (c) “Full contact” means the use of physical force in a martial arts contest that may result or is intended to result in physical harm to the opponent, including any contact that does not meet the definition of light contact or noncontact. (d) “Light contact” means the use of controlled martial arts techniques whereby no contact to the face is permitted and no contact is permitted which may result or is intended to result in physical harm to the opponent. (e) “Noncontact” means that no contact occurs between either contestant. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 506, Sec. 2. (AB 1186) Effective October 3, 2013.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

martial artskickboxingfull contactlight contactnoncontact

Related Statutes

  • § 18622 Boxing Club Definitions
  • § 18625 Contest And Match Definitions
  • § 18760 Combat Sports Definitions
  • § 18761 Kickboxing And Martial Arts Rules
  • § 18763 Martial Arts Regulation Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 18627.
View Official Source