Massage Licensing Program

Beginning July 1, 2004, a new ordinance  allows the Department of Public Health Environmental Health Section to:

• license and regulate massage practitioners and businesses.
• conduct annual inspections of massage establishments
• inspect all new massage establishments and change of ownerships
• respond to citizen complaints  regarding unsanitary conditions
• review and approve plans for new construction or major remodeling

What you need to do:

Click on the type of permit(s) that you need, and follow the instructions. (Note: some permit links below lead to the same page.)

General massage practitioner

An individual who, for any monetary consideration whatsoever, engages in the practice of massage. A general practitioner has 100 hours of certificated training.

Advanced massage practitioner

same as general practitioner, but advanced practitioner has 200 hours of certified training.

Trainee practitioner

An applicant who is currently registered in a recognized school of massage.

General massage establishment

A fixed place of business where one or more person(s) engages in or carries on, or permits to be engaged in or carried on, the practice of massage.

Solo practitioner massage establishment

A fixed place of business where a person holding an advanced massage practitioner permit engages in or permits the practice of massage.  Only two to four advanced massage practitioners  may engage in the practice of massage under this permit.

Outcall massage service

A business, wherein the primary function of such business is to engage in or carry on massage not at a fixed location but at a location designated by the client or customer.

Regulations for other massage services:

Home-Based Massage Service - is any massage business, not permitted as a massage establishment or solo practitioner massage establishment under the provision of Article 29 of the San Francisco Health Code.  The primary function of such business is to engage in or carry on a massage service in the home of the massage practitioner (massage practitioners must obtain a Permit to Operate from us before engaging in the business of providing massage services to the public).

Home-Based Massage services are not prohibited under the San Francisco Planning Code. Section 204.1. The requirements and restrictions are set forth for accessory uses for dwellings in R (residential) or NC (non-commercial) districts. For information or complaints about Home-Based Massage you may contact the Planning Department in writing or by calling (415)558-6377.

Non-Profit Organization - any fraternal, charitable, religious, benevolent or any other nonprofit organization having a regular membership association primarily for mutual social, mental, political and civic welfare, to which admission is limited to the members and guests and revenue accruing therefore to be used exclusively for the benevolent purposes of said organization and which organization or agency is exempt from taxation, under the Internal Revenue Laws of the United States as a bona fide fraternal, charitable, religious, benevolent or non profit organization.

Exemption for non-profit organizations and practitioners working for non-profit organizations -  An individual practicing massage under the direction of a non-profit organization, and the organization itself, are  exempt from permit and license fees under this new ordinance. However, the individual and the organization must obtain the necessary permits and licenses and otherwise comply with all relevant requirements. The submittal fee for each practitioner and for the establishment is required in order to process the applications - Fee Schedule of Licenses, Permits, Fines & Service Charges.