Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Verified 2026-09-02 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 Silver Spring / Montgomery County

2 stops

  1. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

    Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

    Official government source

    $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory valueNot applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

  2. Zoning / Certificate of Occupancy

    A commercial Use and Occupancy (U&O) certificate from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services is required before occupying any commercial space used as a massage therapy practice; it is issued after final building, electrical, mechanical, and fire inspections. Confirm with DPS that the location is properly zoned for personal service businesses. Fees vary — confirm with the DPS fee schedule (MC 311).

    Official government source

    Fees vary; confirm with the DPS fee schedule1–4 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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