Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in San Diego, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Certificate

   California has no state massage license; CAMTC provides voluntary state certification (CMT) that most California cities accept in lieu of, or as a prerequisite for, local massage permits. Requires 500 hours of education at CAMTC-approved schools and a background check. Certification renews every two years. Cities may still impose their own permit requirements.

   Official government source

   $300 two-year CAMTC certification fee (per CAMTC fee schedule) + fingerprinting/background costs·4–8 weeks

   $300 two-year CAMTC certification fee (per CAMTC fee schedule) + fingerprinting/background costs

   4–8 weeks

2. California Seller's Permit (CDTFA)

   Required if selling tangible retail products. Apply through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

   Official government source

   Free·1–2 weeks

   Free

   1–2 weeks

1. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–2 weeks (online application)

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–2 weeks (online application)

2. San Diego Massage Establishment Permit

   The City of San Diego regulates massage businesses as police-regulated businesses. A Massage Establishment Permit (administered by the San Diego Police Department; applications submitted in person at the Office of the City Treasurer, 1200 Third Ave., Suite 100) is required to operate, with a lower-fee sole-practitioner tier. Massage professionals must hold current CAMTC certification or the applicable city massage therapist police permit, and the establishment must comply with San Diego Municipal Code massage regulations. Questions: Business Tax Program, (619) 615-1500.

   Official government source

   $1,149/year (massage establishment) or $194/year (sole practitioner establishment); individual massage therapist police permit $385/year; annual photo ID fee $16·4–8 weeks

   $1,149/year (massage establishment) or $194/year (sole practitioner establishment); individual massage therapist police permit $385/year; annual photo ID fee $16

   4–8 weeks

3. San Diego Zoning / Certificate of Occupancy

   Massage establishments must locate in a space zoned and approved for that use - San Diego applies specific zoning and municipal-code restrictions to massage establishments, so verify the parcel with Development Services (619-446-5000) before leasing. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued through the building-permit process at final inspection; for an existing building without one, submit Form DS-6003. Temporary/Reissued CoO: $353.13.

   Official government source

   No separate CoO fee for permitted work; Temporary/Reissued CoO $353.13·2–6 weeks

   No separate CoO fee for permitted work; Temporary/Reissued CoO $353.13

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)
• City of San Diego — Treasurer Business Tax
• City of San Diego — Development Services

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