Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Detroit, MI

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. Michigan Massage Therapist License (LARA)

   Michigan requires massage therapists to be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing. Requirements include completing an approved massage therapy program (500 total classroom hours if enrolled before August 1, 2017; at least 625 hours for those enrolling on or after that date), passing the MBLEx (or NCETMB if taken before Nov. 1, 2014), and a criminal background check. Licenses are valid for 3 years; renewal requires 18 hours of continuing education.

   Official government source

   $270.10 (combined application + 3-year license fee) + separate MBLEx exam fee paid to FSMTB·4–8 weeks

   $270.10 (combined application + 3-year license fee) + separate MBLEx exam fee paid to FSMTB

   4–8 weeks

2. Michigan Business Registration

   LLCs and corporations must file formation documents with LARA's Corporations Division. Sole proprietors and partnerships using a trade name file a Certificate of Persons Conducting Business Under Assumed Name with the Wayne County Clerk; an LLC or corporation instead files a Certificate of Assumed Name with LARA.

   Official government source

   $50 LLC articles of organization (MCL 450.5101(1)(b)); $25 LARA certificate of assumed name for an LLC; $16 assumed-name filing with the Wayne County Clerk for a sole proprietor/partnership·1-3 weeks by mail; expedited service available from LARA for an additional fee

   $50 LLC articles of organization (MCL 450.5101(1)(b)); $25 LARA certificate of assumed name for an LLC; $16 assumed-name filing with the Wayne County Clerk for a sole proprietor/partnership

   1-3 weeks by mail; expedited service available from LARA for an additional fee

1. BSEED Consumer Service License - Massage Parlor

   Massage establishments must obtain BSEED's 'Massage Parlor' license (or 'Massage Parlor and School' / 'Massage School'), a Consumer Service category, which requires Environmental Health, Fire, Property Maintenance and Treasury clearances and a premises inspection. There is no separate generic 'City of Detroit Business License' and no 'Detroit Business License Center' - BSEED issues the license. Individual therapists must separately hold Michigan LARA massage therapy licenses.

   Official government source

   $205.00, renewing every 2 years (expires June 30)·Varies - BSEED publishes no processing time; the license issues only after all department clearances and inspection are complete

   $205.00, renewing every 2 years (expires June 30)

   Varies - BSEED publishes no processing time; the license issues only after all department clearances and inspection are complete

2. Wayne County DBA (Assumed Name Filing)

   Required if a sole proprietorship or partnership operates under a business name other than the owner's legal name. Filed with the Wayne County Clerk's Office, which registers two types at the county level: an assumed name and a co-partnership. The process is entirely mail-in and requires no appointment; all signatures must be notarized before mailing, and two certified copies of the certificate are returned after filing. Before filing, check that the name is not already used at the state level in Michigan's Business Entity Database or at the county level. An LLC or corporation instead files its assumed name with LARA at the state level, not the county.

   Official government source

   $16.00 filing fee, mailed with the notarized original certificate to the Wayne County Clerk·Mail-in only; the Clerk publishes no processing time, and notarization must be completed before mailing (needs_review)

   $16.00 filing fee, mailed with the notarized original certificate to the Wayne County Clerk

   Mail-in only; the Clerk publishes no processing time, and notarization must be completed before mailing (needs_review)

Official Sources

• Michigan LARA — Massage Therapy
• City of Detroit — BSEED
• Wayne County Clerk — Assumed Name

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