Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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, an establishment can only have one DEM.

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, 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.

A massage therapist must report that they are no longer serving as the DEM within three days, pursuant to Rule 64B7-26.0035(3), Florida Administrative Code.