Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Lewiston, ME

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. Maine Massage Therapist License

   Massage therapists in Maine must be licensed by the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Applicants must complete an approved massage therapy education program and pass the required examination (for example the MBLEx), and submit a State Police background check.

   Official government source

   $40 license fee plus a $21 State Police (SBI) background-check fee (about $61 to start); $40 to renew each year·License is annual, renewing on the anniversary of original licensure; apply online through the Board's licensing system

   $40 license fee plus a $21 State Police (SBI) background-check fee (about $61 to start); $40 to renew each year

   License is annual, renewing on the anniversary of original licensure; apply online through the Board's licensing system

2. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. City of Lewiston - Selective Business Licensing (City Clerk)

   Lewiston does not require a general business licence or registration, and licensing is run by the City Clerk's Department (207-513-3124), not the Finance Department. The Clerk licenses over 40 specific business types required by Maine statute or city ordinance - among them food service establishments, mobile units and roving diners, massage establishments and therapists, tattoo parlours, lodging houses, flea markets, pawnbrokers, peddlers, second-hand dealers, taxicab companies, junk collectors and adult businesses. Most other trades - cleaning, landscaping, handyman, photography, tutoring, pet sitting, notary, bookkeeping, real estate, insurance, plumbing, electrical and HVAC contracting - are not licensed by the City at all. Most licensed types require inspection by the Fire, Code (Health) or Police departments before issue.

   Official government source

   Fees are published per category in the City's Business License Applications Fees, Penalties and Inspection and Approval Schedule - for example food service establishment $150-$575 by class and size, mobile unit / roving diner $100, massage establishment $110 application plus $195 licence, tattooing $110 plus $195, second-hand dealer $88, peddler $56 in state. Most businesses pay nothing because they are not a licensed category.·File the application at least seven days before you begin operating, and allow time for any required Fire, Code (Health) or Police inspection

   Fees are published per category in the City's Business License Applications Fees, Penalties and Inspection and Approval Schedule - for example food service establishment $150-$575 by class and size, mobile unit / roving diner $100, massage establishment $110 application plus $195 licence, tattooing $110 plus $195, second-hand dealer $88, peddler $56 in state. Most businesses pay nothing because they are not a licensed category.

   File the application at least seven days before you begin operating, and allow time for any required Fire, Code (Health) or Police inspection

2. Lewiston Zoning / Change of Use-Occupancy Permit

   A massage practice moving into a commercial space in Lewiston needs a Change of Use/Occupancy permit from the Planning and Code Enforcement Department, which confirms the use is allowed in the zoning district and that the space meets code. Lewiston's Permits page does not use the term 'Certificate of Occupancy' - occupancy is covered by this permit, and it is issued by Planning and Code Enforcement, not the Finance Department. Massage establishments separately need a Therapeutic Massage Establishment license from the City Clerk.

   Official government source

   $40 Change of Use permit (City of Lewiston Building Permit Fee Schedule); the Certificate of Occupancy is included in the permit fee. Commercial renovation work is $25 base plus $7 per $1,000 of value.·Submit to Planning and Code Enforcement; staff quote the fee, review starts after payment, and inspections are required before occupancy

   $40 Change of Use permit (City of Lewiston Building Permit Fee Schedule); the Certificate of Occupancy is included in the permit fee. Commercial renovation work is $25 base plus $7 per $1,000 of value.

   Submit to Planning and Code Enforcement; staff quote the fee, review starts after payment, and inspections are required before occupancy

Official Sources

• Maine Massage Therapy Licensing — License
• City of Lewiston Finance Department

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