Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

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. Florida Massage Therapist License (Department of Health)

   Florida requires massage therapists to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy (ch. 480, Florida Statutes) — not DBPR. Requirements include completing 500 or more clock hours at a board-approved massage school, passing an approved examination (the MBLEx through FSMTB, or an approved NCBTMB national certification exam), and background screening. Licenses are renewed biennially.

   Official government source

   $155 initial ($50 application fee + $100 initial licensing fee + $5 unlicensed activity fee); MBLEx exam fee paid separately to FSMTB·4–8 weeks

   $155 initial ($50 application fee + $100 initial licensing fee + $5 unlicensed activity fee); MBLEx exam fee paid separately to FSMTB

   4–8 weeks

2. Florida Massage Establishment License (Department of Health)

   Florida requires massage establishments to be separately licensed by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy (ch. 480, Florida Statutes). The establishment must employ only licensed massage therapists, designate a responsible person, and pass inspection. Renewal is biennial.

   Official government source

   $255 initial total ($50 application fee + $100 initial licensing fee + $100 inspection fee + $5 unlicensed activity fee)·2–4 weeks

   $255 initial total ($50 application fee + $100 initial licensing fee + $100 inspection fee + $5 unlicensed activity fee)

   2–4 weeks

1. City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (Local Business License)

   Massage establishments in the City of Miami must obtain a Business Tax Receipt from the city (with a Certificate of Use for the location), showing the Florida Department of Health massage establishment license and therapist licenses as required by Fla. Stat. §205.194. A Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt is also required. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087·2–4 weeks

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087

   2–4 weeks

2. Miami-Dade County Business Tax Receipt

   In addition to the city BTR, businesses must also obtain a Miami-Dade County Business Tax Receipt. Both are required when operating within incorporated city limits.

   Official government source

   Varies by business category and number of employees/seats/units; confirm via the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's BTExpress portal or (305) 375-5448·2–4 weeks

   Varies by business category and number of employees/seats/units; confirm via the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's BTExpress portal or (305) 375-5448

   2–4 weeks

3. City of Miami Certificate of Use (CU)

   A Certificate of Use from the City of Miami is required to verify a massage establishment's location is properly zoned, with DERM, Fire and Code inspections, before the Business Tax Receipt is issued. Establishments in unincorporated Miami-Dade instead obtain the county Certificate of Use from Miami-Dade RER.

   Official government source

   $50 non-refundable application fee, plus inspection/service fees per the City of Miami CU fee schedule (commercial: $313 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $63 per additional 1,000 sq ft)·2–4 weeks

   $50 non-refundable application fee, plus inspection/service fees per the City of Miami CU fee schedule (commercial: $313 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $63 per additional 1,000 sq ft)

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Florida DBPR — Massage Therapy
• City of Miami — Business Tax Receipts
• Miami-Dade County — Business Tax

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