Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri.

Verified 2026-08-28 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 Missouri

2 stops

  1. Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage — Therapist License

    All massage therapists in Missouri must be licensed by the Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage. Requires 500 hours of training and passing the MBLEx.

    Official government source

    $125 application fee (renewal $100 biennially); provisional license $75 — 20 CSR 2197-1.0404–8 weeks

  2. Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Missouri. The state rate is 4.225%; local rates vary by city and county. Register online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City

2 stops

  1. City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License

    St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of St. Louis County) and requires a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the License Collector's Office before commencing business. The license must be renewed annually; renewal applications and payment are due before June 1 to avoid penalties.

    Official government source

    $200 initial fee ($100 if starting between January 1 and May 31); annual renewal is graduated by number of St. Louis employees, from $200 (0-2 employees) up to $37,5001–3 weeks

  2. St. Louis Zoning / Commercial Occupancy Permit

    A Commercial Occupancy Permit from the City of St. Louis Building Division is required for any commercial space used as a massage therapy practice. The application includes a zoning review confirming the location is approved for the stated use; confirm zoning questions with the Building Division Zoning Section, (314) 622-3666.

    Official government source

    $80 (units up to 3,500 sq ft) or $160 (larger)1–4 weeks

Terminus

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

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