Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy business in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.

Updated 2026-02-15 5 stops $350–$1,200 est. 5–12 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Ohio

2 stops

  1. Ohio Massage Therapy License (OSEL)

    Ohio requires all massage therapists to be licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio. Requirements include completing a State Examination for a License (OSEL), 600 hours of approved education, passing the MBLEx exam, and a background check. Licenses are valid for two years.

    Official government source

    $50 (application fee) + $100–$200 (exam fee)4–8 weeks

  2. Ohio Vendor's License

    Required if selling taxable goods or services. Massage therapy services are generally not subject to Ohio sales tax, but retail product sales are taxable. Apply through the Ohio Department of Taxation.

    Official government source

    $25Immediate (online)

City of Columbus / Franklin County

2 stops

  1. Columbus Business License / Vendor's License

    Columbus requires businesses to obtain a vendor's license from the Ohio Department of Taxation if selling taxable goods or services. Massage establishments also need to register with the City of Columbus and comply with zoning. A Certificate of Occupancy is required for any commercial location.

    Official government source

    $25 (vendor's license) + $100–$300 (Certificate of Occupancy)2–4 weeks

  2. Franklin County DBA (Trade Name Registration)

    If operating under a business name other than your legal name, register a DBA with the Franklin County Recorder's Office.

    Official government source

    $25–$50Same day to 1 week

Terminus

Open for business — est. $350–$1,200 · 5–12 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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Official Sources

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