Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Portland, ME

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.

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 Maine

2 stops

  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 yearLicense 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

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Portland / Cumberland County

2 stops

  1. City of Portland Business License (specific regulated activities only)

    Portland does not require a business licence of every business. The City's Business License Administrator (207-874-8557, [email protected]) issues licences only for specific regulated categories: food service and liquor establishments, breweries and distilleries, food trucks and pushcarts, temporary events and catering, flea markets and second-hand dealers, marijuana businesses, massage therapists and establishments, taxi/livery/tour vehicles and valet parking, farmers market vendors, fire permits, scrap metal recycling and transient sellers. If your business is not in one of those categories, no City of Portland business licence is required. Where one does apply, most types need Zoning, Health, Code Enforcement, Fire, Police (SBI background check) and Treasury approvals first, and outstanding taxes or sewer fees will block issuance.

    Official government source

    $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

  2. Portland Zoning Confirmation and Certificate of Occupancy

    Before opening a massage practice in a Portland commercial space, confirm with the City of Portland Permitting & Inspections Department that the use is allowed in the zoning district, and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for the space. Massage therapists are licensed separately by the state.

    Official government source

    $100 Certificate of Occupancy inspection; any buildout is charged on cost of work - $25 for the first $1,000 plus $15 per additional $1,000 (City of Portland Building Permits and Inspections Fee Schedule)Confirm zoning before signing a lease; the certificate issues after a passing inspection

Terminus

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

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