Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Omaha, NE

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. Nebraska Massage Therapy License (DHHS)

   Massage therapists in Nebraska must be licensed by the DHHS Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit under the Massage Therapy Practice Act, and must practice in a Nebraska-licensed massage therapy establishment. Requirements are at least 1,000 hours of massage therapy education distributed over a term of not less than nine months, passing the MBLEx administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, and passing Nebraska's free open-book jurisprudence examination (50 multiple-choice questions on massage therapy and massage therapy establishments). Reflexology is included in the practice of massage therapy and requires the same license. A temporary license is available to someone who meets every requirement except the MBLEx, working under a licensed supervisor. Licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years and require 16 continuing education hours to renew.

   Official government source

   $110 for the two-year license cycle, prorated down to $27.50 depending on the month and year the license is issued. Temporary license: $25. The MBLEx fee is paid separately to FSMTB; the Nebraska jurisprudence exam is free. Fee waivers are available for young workers under 26, low-income applicants and military families.·DHHS does not publish a processing time. Licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years regardless of when issued, which is why the fee is prorated.

   $110 for the two-year license cycle, prorated down to $27.50 depending on the month and year the license is issued. Temporary license: $25. The MBLEx fee is paid separately to FSMTB; the Nebraska jurisprudence exam is free. Fee waivers are available for young workers under 26, low-income applicants and military families.

   DHHS does not publish a processing time. Licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years regardless of when issued, which is why the fee is prorated.

2. Nebraska Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Permit

   Any business selling taxable goods or taxable services in Nebraska must hold a sales tax permit from the Nebraska Department of Revenue and collect tax at the combined state and local rate for the delivery location. Register online through the Department's business registration service or by filing paper Form 20; NebFile is the separate system used to file returns once you are registered, not the registration tool. Local city sales and use taxes are layered on top of the state rate and change by quarter, so use the Department's Sales Tax Rate Finder for the exact rate at each address rather than assuming a flat figure.

   Official government source

   $0 — the Nebraska Department of Revenue charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax permit, online or by paper Form 20.·Registering online, you are either assigned a Nebraska ID number at the time of registration or contacted by the Department within five business days for additional information. Allow about two weeks for a paper Form 20.

   $0 — the Nebraska Department of Revenue charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax permit, online or by paper Form 20.

   Registering online, you are either assigned a Nebraska ID number at the time of registration or contacted by the Department within five business days for additional information. Allow about two weeks for a paper Form 20.

1. City of Omaha Business Licensing (no general business license)

   Omaha does not require a general business license. The city's Finance Department administers occupation taxes only on specific categories (restaurant/bar, telephone, hotel/motel, tobacco), and there is no City Clerk business license for ordinary businesses. Most trades on this list — food truck, handyman, tattoo parlor, personal trainer, HVAC, pet sitting, real estate, cleaning, grooming, salons, electrical, plumbing, fitness, massage, home bakery, pest control, auto repair, catering, notary, photography, barber, landscaping, tutoring, yoga, wedding planning, pressure washing, daycare, insurance — instead need a category-specific approval: a Douglas County Health Department food permit, a state professional license, Nebraska Department of Labor contractor registration, or a city building/trade permit.

   Official government source

   $0 — Omaha issues no general business license·Not applicable — there is no general license application; timelines depend on the category-specific permit you actually need

   $0 — Omaha issues no general business license

   Not applicable — there is no general license application; timelines depend on the category-specific permit you actually need

2. Omaha Zoning / Certificate of Occupancy

   A commercial space used as a massage therapy practice in Omaha needs a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Omaha Planning Department's Permits and Inspections division (402-444-5350), confirming the space is zoned and built for the intended use. Occupancy fees are paid at the time of application and no inspection occurs until the fee is paid. Verify zoning before signing a lease; Omaha's zoning code is Chapter 55 of the municipal code.

   Official government source

   Certificate of Occupancy fees under Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 43-91: $125 for a first certificate on a new building, $125 for existing buildings, bays, common areas, or a change of use, $125 for a temporary certificate (maximum 90 days), $15 for a copy, and $50 per reinspection. If any build-out is required, valuation-based building permit fees apply on top.·Occupancy fees are due at application and no inspection is scheduled until paid; contact Permits and Inspections at 402-444-5350 to schedule.

   Certificate of Occupancy fees under Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 43-91: $125 for a first certificate on a new building, $125 for existing buildings, bays, common areas, or a change of use, $125 for a temporary certificate (maximum 90 days), $15 for a copy, and $50 per reinspection. If any build-out is required, valuation-based building permit fees apply on top.

   Occupancy fees are due at application and no inspection is scheduled until paid; contact Permits and Inspections at 402-444-5350 to schedule.

Official Sources

• Nebraska Massage Therapy Practice Act — License
• City of Omaha City Clerk

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