Frequently Asked Questions

No, pursuant to Section 480.043(9)(a), Florida Statutes, if you are a new owner, you MAY NOT operate the establishment under a previous owner’s license.

Yes. Massage therapists are required to display their licenses when working in a massage establishment A photocopy of the license may be displayed in lieu of the original license. All displayed licenses must also have a photograph of the licensee affixed to the license.

Yes. Massage therapists are required to report all criminal convictions even if the adjudication was withheld and pleadings of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) within 30 days of the entry of the conviction or plea.

Yes, if the salon or spa holds a massage establishment license, and the services are performed by a massage therapist.

Information on the requirements for licensure and how to apply for a massage establishment license can be found in the Licensing  section under Licensed Massage Establishment (New Business or Change of Ownership).

Yes. Massage therapists are responsible for knowing if the massage establishment they are working in is licensed and can be disciplined for working in an unlicensed establishment.

If you are unsure whether a massage establishment is properly licensed, we would encourage you to search for a license by establishment name or address using the Department of Health’s license verification portal.

Yes. Operation of a massage establishment requires a license, pursuant to 480.043(1), Florida Statutes.

No. A massage establishment license authorizes licensed massage therapists to practice massage in a specific location. Other medical or cosmetic procedures may require additional licensing by other licensing authorities.

No. A massage therapist license is required to practice massage therapy in the state of Florida.

Massage is defined in Chapter 480.033(3), Florida Statutes as

…the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body with the hand, foot, arm, or elbow, whether or not such manipulation is aided by hydrotherapy, including colonic irrigation, or thermal therapy; any electrical or mechanical device; or the application to the human body of a chemical or herbal preparation.

Body wrapping is regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and is defined in Chapter 477.013(12), Florida Statutes as

…a treatment program that uses herbal wraps for the purposes of cleansing and beautifying the skin of the body, but does not include:
(a) The application of oils, lotions, or other fluids to the body, except fluids contained in presoaked materials used in the wraps; or
(b) Manipulation of the body’s superficial tissue, other than that arising from compression emanating from the wrap materials.

The practice of massage without a massage therapist license is a violation of Florida Statutes, and may carry penalties including citation and fines, administrative action, or criminal prosecution.

If you believe a person is practicing massage without a license or a massage therapist is practicing beyond the definition above, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Department of Health.

Yes. The Department of Health license verification portal can be used to search for licensees by city, county, or zip code.

A change of ownership has occurred when the entity holding the license changes. Pursuant to 480.043(9)(a), Florida Statutes:

A license issued to an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, or another entity may not be transferred from the licensee to another individual, corporation, limited liability company, or another entity.

Some examples of change of ownership include:

• A license originally issued to an individual (sole proprietor), where the individual has changed.
• A license originally issued to an individual (sole proprietor) which now operates under a Limited Liability Company or Corporation.
• 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. The Designated Establishment Manager (DEM) of a massage establishment can be found using the Department of Health’s  license verification portal to search for the establishment license. The name and license number of the DEM will appear under the Supervising Practitioners tab.

Yes. The establishment or establishments where a massage therapist serves as the DEM can be found using the Department of Health’s license verification portal to search for the massage therapist’s license. The name and license number of establishments where the therapist serves as DEM can be found under the Supervising Practitioners tab.