Frequently Asked Questions

A massage establishment owner is defined in Section 480.033, Florida Statutes as

…means a person who has ownership interest in a massage establishment. The term includes an individual who holds a massage establishment license, a general partner of a partnership, an owner or officer of a corporation, and a member of a limited liability company and its subsidiaries who holds a massage establishment license.

Change of ownership refers to a change in the entity operating a massage establishment which requires the issuance of a new license pursuant to 480.043(9)(a), Florida Statutes.

The following are some examples of a change of ownership:

• A license originally issued to an individual (sole proprietor), where the individual has changed.
• A license originally issued to an individual (sole proprietor) who has since formed a Limited Liability Company or Corporation for the purposes of operating the massage establishment.
• A license originally issued to a partnership where the partners have changed.
• A license issued to a Limited Liability Company whose members have changed.
• A license issued to a Corporation which has dissolved and reincorporated.

Yes, massage establishment owners must be updated if your license was issued to a corporation and your corporate owners or officers have changed.

Some ownership updates may constitute a transfer or change of ownership. If a change of ownership has occurred, you will need to apply for a new massage establishment license.

Yes, you are required to update your address, pursuant to 456.035, Florida Statutes.

Yes. Massage establishment owners are background screened pursuant to 456.0135, Florida Statutes.

Yes. Massage establishment owners are required to report all criminal convictions even if adjudication was withheld and pleadings of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) within 30 days of the entry of the conviction or plea, pursuant to 456.072(1)(x), Florida Statutes.

Yes, pursuant to Section 480.043(13), Florida Statutes, massage establishments must implement a procedure for reporting suspected human trafficking to the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-855-FLA-SAFE or to a local law enforcement agency. A sign detailing this reporting procedure must be posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment which is accessible to employees.

Yes. Massage establishments are responsible for knowing that massage therapists practicing in the establishment are licensed, and that licenses are in a status which allows them to practice.

Yes. A person operating a massage establishment is responsible for keeping a copy of the valid government identification of each person working in the massage establishment, including massage therapists. They are also responsible for ensuring that each person working in the establishment is able to present their own government identification if requested by a department investigator or a law enforcement officer.

Yes, in some places. Many cities, counties, and municipalities have additional requirements to operate a business, or specifically related to the operation of a massage establishment.

The Board of Massage Therapy is the licensing authority for massage establishments at the state level. For information on additional city, county, or municipal requirements, contact your local government.

Yes, a massage establishment can change locations by submitting an application for massage establishment change of location.

A massage establishment may not change locations until the change of location application is complete. This includes receiving a passing result on an inspection of the new location.

Yes. Massage therapists may add a colonic irrigation certification to a massage therapist license. While there are many other professional certifications, no other certifications are officially recognized under Florida law.