Frequently Asked Questions

Designated Establishment Manager is defined in section 480.033(11), Florida Statutes as

…a massage therapist who holds a clear and active license without restriction, who is responsible for the operation of a massage establishment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and who is designated the manager by the rules or practices at the establishment.

Yes. Massage therapists are required to include their license number when advertising.

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

To be a DEM, a massage therapist must:

• hold a clear and active license without restriction.
• be responsible for the operation of a massage establishment in accordance with Chapter 456, Florida Statutes, 480, Florida Statutes, and 64B7, Florida Administrative Code.
• be designated by the rules or practices at the establishment.

A massage therapist cannot serve as a DEM if they:

• obtained a massage establishment license by fraud or misrepresentation.
• are found guilty of fraud or deceit or of gross negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the operation of a massage establishment.
• Have had a final order entered against them or other disciplinary action taken against their license for sexual misconduct involving prostitution.
• Have had a final order entered against them, or other disciplinary action taken for crimes related to the practice of massage therapy involving prostitution.
• Have been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor or felony crime, regardless of adjudication, related to prostitution or related acts as described in s. 796.07, Florida Statutes.

A DEM is responsible for the ensuring the massage establishment operates in compliance with the laws and rules governing massage therapy.

Specific responsibilities of the DEM can be found in Rule 64B7-26.0035, Florida Administrative Code.

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.

Massage therapist is defined in Chapter 480.033(4), Florida Statutes, as

…a person licensed as required by this act, who administers massage for compensation.

Colonic irrigation is defined in Chapter 480.033(6), Florida Statutes, as

…a method of hydrotherapy used to cleanse the colon with the aid of a mechanical device and water.

No. Massage therapists may work in massage establishments, and in specific places outside a massage establishment as provided 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.

Additionally, a massage therapist employed by a physician to practice on the physician’s patients may practice at that physician’s place of practice. In this circumstance, an establishment license is not required. This exemption can be found in Chapter 480.043(14), Florida Statutes:

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.

Where can a massage therapist practice colonic irrigation?

A massage therapist can practice colonic irrigation in a massage establishment that is operating in compliance with 64B7-26.003, Florida Administrative Code, which includes that the establishment maintain colonic irrigation equipment in a safe and sanitary condition and maintain sterilization equipment if non-disposable colonic attachments are used.

A person can be a massage therapist in Florida by meeting the licensing requirements, submitting an application and fees, and receiving their license.

Generally, additional documents can be submitted to the board office by upload through the online application portal, by email to mqa.massagetherapy@flhealth.gov, or by mail to:

Florida Department of Health
Board of Massage Therapy
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Please note that some supporting documents must be received directly from the source, like transcripts and examination scores. Information about all required documents can be found under the Licensing section of this website by choosing the license you are applying for from the list and clicking Requirements.