Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 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 Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners — Massage Therapist License

    All massage therapists in Maryland must be licensed (LMT) or registered (RMP) with the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners. LMT requires at least 750 hours of accredited massage therapy education; RMP requires at least 600 hours (COMAR 10.65.01.07). Applicants must pass the MBLEx (or equivalent national exam) plus the Maryland jurisprudence exam and hold CPR certification.

    Official government source

    $100 (initial)4–8 weeks

  2. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

City of Baltimore / Baltimore City

2 stops

  1. Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source

    Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).1–3 weeks

  2. Zoning / Certificate of Occupancy

    A commercial massage-therapy space in Baltimore City requires a Use and Occupancy permit from DHCD; confirm zoning for personal-service use with DHCD/Planning before signing a lease.

    Official government source

    Per DHCD fee schedule (unverified)1–4 weeks

Terminus

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

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Official Sources

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