Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Boise, ID

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in Boise, Ada County, Idaho.

Verified 2026-09-06 5 stops $200–$700 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Idaho

2 stops

  1. Idaho Board of Massage Therapy (DOPL) — License

    Massage therapists in Idaho must be licensed through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Board of Massage Therapy. Requires 500 hours of massage therapy education and passing the MBLEx exam.

    Official government source

    $180 initial ($50 application fee + $130 initial license by examination)4–8 weeks

  2. Idaho State Tax Commission — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Idaho. Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax. Some cities have local option taxes. Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via TAP)

City of Boise / Ada County

2 stops

  1. City of Boise — No General Business License

    Boise does not require a general/blanket business license. Businesses must instead comply with zoning, required building/health permits, and any applicable activity-specific city license (Animal, Food & Alcohol Beverage, Security Services, Vehicle Licensing). Most professional/personal-service businesses fall under none of these categories and need no city business license — verify your specific business's obligations with the City Clerk's Licensing page.

    Official government source

    N/A — no general business license existsN/A

  2. Boise Zoning Confirmation and Certificate of Occupancy

    A commercial space used for massage therapy needs a Certificate of Occupancy from Boise Planning & Development Services, and the location must be zoned for personal service uses — confirm that with PDS before signing a lease. If the space needs no construction beyond minor trade work, PDS performs a plan review and inspection and issues the CO directly. Note that Boise separately requires a Massage Establishment License from the City Clerk.

    Official government source

    $175 flat where plan review and inspection establish the CO with no construction. With tenant improvements the fee follows Boise's valuation table plus commercial plan review at 65% of the permit fee. A zoning verification letter is $44.10. The separate City Clerk Massage Establishment License is $320.25.1–4 weeks for zoning confirmation and a straightforward CO; longer if tenant improvements need plan review.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$700 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

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