Massage Therapy

Visit Update your License Record.

Contact your current state licensing agency and request a verification of license be sent directly to the Division. Download and complete the application and submit it for review and processing with the required fees. Applicants must meet the educational or the experience requirement and the examination requirements. Applications cannot be completed without submittal of verification.

The easiest way to change your address is to use our online License Update web page.

You must submit all documents by mail or in person (unless otherwise directed by the Division) and must be accompanied by payment.

A "Massage Establishment" is a place where massage services are performed by an individual. This includes any location an owner rents or leases to multiple sole practitioners to perform massage services.

It does not include:

1. a location owned, rented, or leased by a single sole practitioner to perform massage services;
2. an out-call location; or
3. a massage school where massage services are only performed for an educational purpose.

Additionally, the following establishments or facilities are exempt from registering as massage establishments:

1. hospitals or medical clinics;
2. physician offices;
3. physical therapy facilities;
4. chiropractic offices;
5. athletic training facilities or institutions of secondary or higher education when massage services are performed in connection with employment related to athletic teams; and
6. a sole practitioner who only rents or leases to a sole practitioner if the sole practitioner meets the requirements described in Utah Code section 58-47b-504. 

See Utah Code sections 58-47b-102 and 58-47b-304.1.

The following establishments or facilites are exempt from registering as massage establishments:

1. hospitals or medical clinics;
2. physician offices;
3. physical therapy facilities;
4. chiropractic offices;
5. athletic training facilities or institutions of secondary or higher education when massage services are performed in connection with employment related to athletic teams; and
6. a sole practitioner who only rents or leases to a sole practitioner if the sole practitioner meets the requirements described in Utah Code section 58-47b-504.

The following locations are not considered to be "massage establishments" and therefore do not need to register:

1. a location owned, rented, or leased by a single sole practitioner to perform massage services;
2. an out-call location; or
3. a massage school where massage services are only performed for an educational purpose.

To register, an owner must:

• Submit an application and pay a fee.
• Provide a valid business registration number from the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
• Provide a city or county business license, if required at that location.
• Document that the facility complies with the Division's rules.
• Provide proof of ownership or the right to possess the premises (ex., lease or deed).
• Provide information regarding certain individuals who own/manage the business, along with proof of their lawful presence in the United States.
• Consent to a criminal history background check (see FAQ below).
• Submit a signed attestation that the business does not engage in illegal activities such as human trafficking.
• Meet with DOPL or the Board of Massage Therapy, if requested.

A criminal background check is required for each individual who:

• personally or constructively holds (including as the beneficiary of a trust) at least 10% of the entity's outstanding stock, or more than $25,000 of its fair market value;
• has a direct or indirect participating interest of 10% or more in the entity's profits, proceeds, or capital gains;
• is a member of the board of directors or other governing body of the entity; or
• serves as an elected officer or general manager.

(Note: Minors who are owners as beneficiaries of a trust are exempt from the criminal background check requirement.)

Operating a massage establishment without a valid registration is unlawful conduct and can lead to serious penalties. DOPL can impose an administrative fine or take other administrative actions, such as notifying the local police department and municipality where the establishment is located.

In addition to, or in place of a fine, DOPL can assess a penalty of up to $10,000 for a single violation or up to $2,000 per day for an ongoing violation to any massage establishment that is in violation of the provisions of Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, Section 58-47b-501.1 or 58-47b-502.1, or any rule or order issued with respect to these provisions.