Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy business in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

Updated 2026-02-15 5 stops $400–$1,400 est. 6–12 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Colorado

2 stops

  1. Colorado Massage Therapy License (DORA)

    Colorado requires massage therapists to be licensed by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations. Requirements include 650 hours (raised from 500 effective July 1, 2024) of education from an approved program, passing the MBLEx exam, and a background check. License renewal is every two years.

    Official government source

    DORA application ~$200 (raised from $80 — confirm current fee with DORA) + MBLEx exam $265 + $20 Pearson VUE4–8 weeks

  2. Colorado Sales Tax License

    Required if selling taxable goods. Massage therapy services are generally exempt from Colorado sales tax. Apply through the Colorado Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    $16 (standard license)Immediate (online)

City of Denver / Denver County

2 stops

  1. Denver Business License

    All businesses operating in Denver must obtain a Business License from the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses. For massage establishments, this includes proof that all therapists are licensed by the state, a premise inspection, and compliance with Denver's massage establishment regulations. The license must be renewed annually.

    Official government source

    $50–$200/year2–4 weeks

  2. Denver Certificate of Occupancy / Zoning

    A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required for commercial locations. Ensure the space is zoned for personal service business use. Contact Denver Community Planning and Development.

    Official government source

    $100–$3002–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,400 · 6–12 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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Official Sources

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