Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

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. Georgia Massage Therapy License (GRMA)

   All massage therapists practicing in Georgia must be licensed by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy (part of the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division). Requirements include 500 hours of approved massage education from an accredited school and passing the MBLEx or NCBTMB exam. Licenses are renewed every two years, by October 31 of even-numbered years, with continuing education tracked through CE Broker.

   Official government source

   $75 (application fee) + $100–$200 (exam fee)·4–8 weeks after completing education and exam

   $75 (application fee) + $100–$200 (exam fee)

   4–8 weeks after completing education and exam

2. Georgia Massage Therapy Establishment Permit

   Georgia does not have a separate state-level massage establishment license, but all therapists working at the establishment must hold individual GRMA licenses. The establishment must maintain records of all employed therapists and their license numbers.

   Official government source

   No separate fee·N/A (covered by individual therapist licenses)

   No separate fee

   N/A (covered by individual therapist licenses)

1. City of Atlanta Business License (Occupation Tax Certificate)

   All businesses operating within Atlanta city limits must obtain an Occupation Tax Certificate (business license) from the City of Atlanta Department of Finance. For massage establishments, the application requires proof of state licensure. Renewals are due annually by February 15.

   Official government source

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.·2–4 weeks

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.

   2–4 weeks

2. City of Atlanta Massage Business Permit

   Atlanta requires massage establishments to obtain a regulatory permit administered by the Atlanta Police Department's License and Permit Unit (3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30331; 404-546-4364), as listed in the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue's regulatory permit directory. Expect requirements such as proof of therapist licensure, a premises inspection and owner background checks, but no ordinance citation or fee is published on an official page - verify current requirements and fees directly with APD's License and Permit Unit.

   Official government source

   Fees not published on an official page - verify with the APD License and Permit Unit·3–6 weeks

   Fees not published on an official page - verify with the APD License and Permit Unit

   3–6 weeks

3. Fulton County Business Registration

   Fulton County issues a general business license (Business Occupational Tax Certificate) only to businesses located in the Fulton Industrial District (an unincorporated area), not to businesses elsewhere in unincorporated Fulton County. Businesses operating within Atlanta city limits are licensed solely by the City of Atlanta and do not need to register with Fulton County for business-licensing purposes.

   Official government source

   $50–$150/year·1–2 weeks

   $50–$150/year

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Georgia Secretary of State — Massage Therapy Board
• City of Atlanta — Occupation Tax Certificate
• Fulton County — Licenses and Permits

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