Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Massage therapists and persons employed by a massage establishment must be able to present valid government identification at the request of a department investigator or law enforcement officer when working in an establishment.

Valid government identification includes any of the following:

• A valid, unexpired driver’s license issued by any state, territory, or district of the United States
• A valid, unexpired identification card issued by any state, territory, or district of the United States
• A valid, unexpired United States passport
• A naturalization certificate issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security
• A valid, unexpired alien registration receipt card (green card)
• A valid, unexpired employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security

No. A massage therapist may not practice in a massage establishment whose license is delinquent.

Massage establishment is defined in Chapter 480.033, Florida Statutes as

…a site or premises, or portion thereof, wherein a massage therapist practices massage.

Yes, in some circumstances. 480.043(14), Florida Statutes provides exemption from the requirement of massage establishment licensing when working in a physician’s (MD, DO, or DC) place of practice if the massage therapist is practicing on the physician’s patients:

Except for the requirements of subsection (13), this section does not apply to a physician licensed under chapter 457, chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460 who employs a licensed massage therapist to perform massage on the physician’s patients at the physician’s place of practice. This subsection does not restrict investigations by the department for violations of chapter 456 or this chapter.

An interested party is defined in Rule 64B7-26.001(3), Florida Administrative Code, as

…an individual directly involved in the management of a massage establishment whose ownership entity is a corporation having more than $250,000 in business assets in this state.

If a massage establishment license is not renewed prior to its expiration date (August 31^st of every odd year), the license becomes delinquent for a period of six months or until it is reinstated by the licensee. Massage therapy cannot be practiced in a massage establishment with a delinquent license.

If the establishment license has not renewed within six months after expiration of the establishment license will be set to null and void. Once the license is set to null and void, should the owner decide to regain a Florida license in the future, they will need to reapply and complete the full application process.

A person who wants to operate a massage establishment may apply for a license, either as an individual (sole proprietor), or as a part of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity.

Renewing and keeping a massage establishment license updated is the responsibility of the massage establishment owner(s) or a person specifically authorized by the owner(s).

Yes, in specific locations listed in statute.

Chapter 480.046(1)(o), Florida Statutes provides places where a massage therapist may work outside a massage establishment:

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary action, as specified in s. 456.072(2):
(o) Practicing massage at a site, location, or place which is not duly licensed as a massage establishment, except that a massage therapist, as provided by rules adopted by the board, may provide massage services, excluding colonic irrigation, at the residence of a client, at the office of the client, at a sports event, at a convention, or at a trade show.

Chapter 480.043(14), Florida Statutes provides additional exemption when working in a physician’s (MD, DO, or DC) place of practice when practicing on the physician’s patients:

Except for the requirements of subsection (13), this section does not apply to a physician licensed under chapter 457, chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460 who employs a licensed massage therapist to perform massage on the physician’s patients at the physician’s place of practice. This subsection does not restrict investigations by the department for violations of chapter 456 or this chapter.

Yes. Board staff will notify the establishment if a DEM ends their designation. If there is an email address of record for the establishment, notification will be sent to that address.

Yes. Board staff will notify the establishment and the therapist named as the DEM of the establishment when the DEM has been added. If email addresses of record are available, notification will be sent to those addresses.

No, the Designated Establishment manage is required under statute to be a licensed massage therapist as defined in Section 480.033(11), Florida Statutes.