Before you begin

Look at our information about:

• How to open a new business
• Sewer Availability Charges (SAC)

Requirements

Licenses are required for massage businesses.

Massage therapists do not need a license in Minneapolis 

A license is not required for:

• Chiropractic or physical therapy
• Surgery, osteopathy, or podiatry

Applications

Massage businesses in Minneapolis are required to be licensed.

• Massage Establishment, Commercial - A business offering massage services to customers. The business has one or more massage therapists. Each license is assigned to one location. A license is not required for medical massage services.
• Massage Establishment, Home-based and/or Single Operator - A business offering massage services:
  • In a home
  • By a self-employed individual who leases a room, studio, or office. 

A lease or rental agreement is required.  Each license is assigned to one location. 

Fee

Find your license fee

Additional Information

In Minneapolis, a license is not required for massage therapists.  A massage therapist is an individual who provides massage and bodywork services.  Examples include: 

• Employees who are paid by a massage employer. 
• Independent contractors who are paid for their services by a massage business.  They do not rent space. 

Single operators who own their own massage business must have a Single Operator Massage license for their business.  They do not have any employees or independent contractors. They own or lease their space.  

Disciplinary History

Applicants for a massage license must attach their disciplinary history. 

Request a copy from the Mn Dept of Health Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice (CAP)

You may also use this information for your employees and independent contractors.

Personal Information Form

Every applicant, owner, and manager must complete this form when you apply for a new license.

See Massage Personal Information Form

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses & Consumer Services

If you have questions, contact:

• 311
• Business Licenses 

Plan review

Plans are required for any new or remodeled massage business. 

Submit the Massage Plan Review application to the Health Department.  

The application, in DocuSign, is the preferred method for applications for Massage. On the site, enter your email address and name, then press begin signing.  Attach to the application a copy of your plans along with credit card information for the fee.

Massage Plan Review application

Determine your fee

Before opening your business, a Minneapolis health inspector must conduct a pre-opening inspection. 

If you have questions, contact 311. Ask for an Environmental Health supervisor.

Complaints

Report concerns about a massage business

Disclaimer

Information on this page should be considered guidelines. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.