Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy — License

   Massage therapists in Hawaii must be licensed by the Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy. Requires 570 hours of massage therapy education and passing the MBLEx.

   Official government source

   $164–$214 (initial: application + license + criminal history record fee + prorated renewal, depending on point in the biennial cycle)·4–8 weeks

   $164–$214 (initial: application + license + criminal history record fee + prorated renewal, depending on point in the biennial cycle)

   4–8 weeks

2. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

1. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

2. Hawaii County Department of Public Works, Building Division — Certificate of Occupancy

   A commercial space used for massage therapy needs a Certificate of Occupancy, issued by the County of Hawaii Department of Public Works, Building Division. Whether the district allows a personal service business is a separate zoning question for the Planning Department. The Finance Department has no licensing, zoning or permitting role — its divisions are accounts, budget, real property tax and treasury.

   Official government source

   Set by the Hawaii County building permit fee schedule on the declared value of the work; there is no flat per-project rate published online·Applications are filed through the county's EPIC online permit system; review time depends on scope and whether plans require engineering review

   Set by the Hawaii County building permit fee schedule on the declared value of the work; there is no flat per-project rate published online

   Applications are filed through the county's EPIC online permit system; review time depends on scope and whether plans require engineering review

Official Sources

• Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy — License
• County of Hawaii Finance Department

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