Massage Therapy Business Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy business in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.

Updated 2026-02-15 5 stops $400–$1,400 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 Oregon

1 stop

  1. Oregon Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) License

    Oregon requires massage therapists to be licensed by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. Requirements include 500 hours of approved education, passing the MBLEx exam, and a background check. Licenses must be renewed every two years.

    Official government source

    $75 (application fee) + $100–$200 (MBLEx exam fee)4–8 weeks

City of Portland / Multnomah County

3 stops

  1. City of Portland Business License

    Portland requires all businesses to obtain a Business License through the City's Revenue Division. Annual renewal is required. The license fee is based on gross receipts.

    Official government source

    $100–$300/year (based on gross receipts)1–2 weeks (online application)

  2. Multnomah County Business Income Tax Registration

    Businesses operating in Multnomah County must register for the Combined Tax Registration (city and county). This covers both Portland Business License Tax and Multnomah County Business Income Tax.

    Official government source

    Combined with city license registration; tax rates apply to net income1–2 weeks

  3. Portland Zoning / Certificate of Occupancy

    Commercial locations must have a Certificate of Occupancy for personal service use. Portland's Bureau of Development Services (BDS) handles zoning compliance. Massage establishments are generally permitted in commercial (CM, CS, CX) zones.

    Official government source

    $100–$4002–4 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,400 · 5–12 weeks to obtain all licenses and permits

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Official Sources

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