Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

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. Illinois Massage Therapist License (IDFPR)

   Illinois requires massage therapists to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Requirements include a minimum of 600 clock hours of supervised instruction from an approved massage therapy program, passing the MBLEx exam administered by the FSMTB, and fingerprint-based background check processing by the Illinois State Police. Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year.

   Official government source

   $175 application fee (IDFPR); $265 MBLEx examination fee (FSMTB); renewal $87.50 per year ($175 per two-year cycle)·IDFPR does not publish a processing time. Fingerprint processing must be verified within the 60 days before you apply, and a submitted application stays active for three years from the date IDFPR receives it.

   $175 application fee (IDFPR); $265 MBLEx examination fee (FSMTB); renewal $87.50 per year ($175 per two-year cycle)

   IDFPR does not publish a processing time. Fingerprint processing must be verified within the 60 days before you apply, and a submitted application stays active for three years from the date IDFPR receives it.

2. Illinois Business Registration (Secretary of State)

   LLCs and corporations must register with the Illinois Secretary of State by filing Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation. Sole proprietors, general partnerships, and professional service corporations operating under a trade name must also file an Assumed Business Name registration with the Cook County Clerk; LLCs, LLPs, LPs, and ordinary corporations are exempt from that county filing. A Cook County assumed name registration must be published in a local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.

   Official government source

   $150 to file Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State, or $250 for 24-hour service; $50 Cook County Assumed Business Name registration, plus the newspaper's publication charge·10 business days for a standard Secretary of State online filing, or 24 hours expedited. For a Cook County assumed name, publish the legal notice within 15 calendar days of registration, once a week for three consecutive weeks, and file proof of publication no later than 50 days from the application date.

   $150 to file Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State, or $250 for 24-hour service; $50 Cook County Assumed Business Name registration, plus the newspaper's publication charge

   10 business days for a standard Secretary of State online filing, or 24 hours expedited. For a Cook County assumed name, publish the legal notice within 15 calendar days of registration, once a week for three consecutive weeks, and file proof of publication no later than 50 days from the application date.

1. Chicago Massage Establishment License (BACP)

   A City of Chicago Massage license is required for any place of business that advertises or offers massages (a foot or chair massage given while the recipient stays fully clothed does not count). Every massage therapist you employ or contract with must hold a valid license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The application requires zoning approval, a Financial Disclosure Form, an Individual History Form and fingerprint-based background check for every owner, corporate officer, and holder of a 25% or greater interest, and a City debt check.

   Official government source

   $550 license fee for a two-year license, plus a $40 processing fee per controlling person required to be fingerprinted·BACP does not publish a turnaround time. The process runs through submitting a business information sheet, zoning approval, the full application, fingerprinting, payment, and a City debt check before the license is issued.

   $550 license fee for a two-year license, plus a $40 processing fee per controlling person required to be fingerprinted

   BACP does not publish a turnaround time. The process runs through submitting a business information sheet, zoning approval, the full application, fingerprinting, payment, and a City debt check before the license is issued.

2. Chicago Zoning Compliance

   Massage establishments must be located in zones that permit personal service businesses; check with the Chicago Department of Buildings/Zoning before signing a lease. A Certificate of Occupancy is required only in specific cases — e.g., if the space's use classification is changing (such as converting from a different use to a personal-service establishment) or other statutory triggers — not automatically for every new commercial tenant. Confirm applicability with the Department of Buildings.

   Official government source

   no Certificate of Occupancy fee is published by the Department of Buildings; building permit fees vary by scope of work, and a reinspection fee under section 14A-5-501.4 applies if a scheduled inspection cannot proceed·2–4 weeks

   no Certificate of Occupancy fee is published by the Department of Buildings; building permit fees vary by scope of work, and a reinspection fee under section 14A-5-501.4 applies if a scheduled inspection cannot proceed

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Illinois IDFPR — Massage License
• City of Chicago — BACP Business Licensing
• City of Chicago — Department of Buildings

Related Guides