Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if the massage establishment owner meets the requirements to be a DEM, they may serve as the DEM of their establishment.

Designated Establishment Manager (DEM) is a massage therapist licensed in Florida with an active license without restrictions, who is named by the establishment to be responsible for the operation of the establishment in compliance with Chapters 456 and 480, Florida Statutes and Rule 64B7, Florida Administrative Code.

Yes. A massage therapist working as an independent contractor may serve as a DEM, so long as they are qualified to serve as a DEM.

Yes. A massage therapist may serve as the DEM for more than one establishment.

No. Holding a license in another state does not authorize a massage therapist to practice massage in Florida.

No, an establishment can only have one DEM.

No. Practitioner addresses are public record, and cannot be hidden unless the massage therapist is exempt from public records disclosure pursuant to Chapter 119.071, Florida Statutes.

Yes, there is nothing in statute or rule prohibiting a DEM from practicing in any massage establishment.

No, unless the DEM is also an establishment owner. However, the DEM should ensure that the establishment is operating in compliance with the laws and rules which govern the license and may work with the establishment owner to ensure renewal is completed timely.

Yes, massage therapists are required to register a fictitious name if advertising their practice under a name that is not their legal name.

More information about fictitious name registration can be found on the Division of Corporations website at www.sunbiz.org.

Yes, if you are an establishment owner, you can change your DEM at any time.

A massage establishment must name a new DEM within 10 days after the termination of a previous DEM, pursuant to 480.043(12), Florida Statutes.

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