Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Greenville, SC
Complete permit and license guide for starting a massage therapy in Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina.
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 stopEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.
Official government sourceFreeImmediate (online application)
Free
Immediate (online application)
State of South Carolina
2 stopsSC LLR Board of Massage Therapy — Massage Therapy License
Massage therapists in South Carolina must be licensed by the SC LLR Board of Massage Therapy. Licensure requires graduation from a 650-hour massage/bodywork program and verification of passing the MBLEx (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) examination, plus a fingerprint background check.
Official government source$150 initial application fee; $75 renewal; $200 by endorsement (SC Board of Massage Therapy fee schedule)Not published by the Board — processing depends on transcripts, exam verification, and background check results; confirm with the Board of Massage Therapy
$150 initial application fee; $75 renewal; $200 by endorsement (SC Board of Massage Therapy fee schedule)
Not published by the Board — processing depends on transcripts, exam verification, and background check results; confirm with the Board of Massage Therapy
South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License
Every person who engages in business in South Carolina as a retailer must obtain a Retail License from the SC Department of Revenue before making any retail sales subject to sales and use tax, including internet sales and infrequent sales. A separate licence is required for each retail outlet. The licence does not have to be renewed while the same taxpayer keeps operating at the same location, but a new application is required after a change of ownership or after 24 months with no sales.
Official government source$50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.
$50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.
Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.
City of Greenville / Greenville County
2 stopsCity of Greenville Business License
All businesses conducting business within the City of Greenville must hold a business license, issued by the city's Business License & Revenue Center (Finance Department). The license is renewed annually and must be displayed at the place of business.
Official government sourceCalculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.
Calculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.
Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.
Certificate of Occupancy / Zoning Confirmation
A Certificate of Occupancy is required for a commercial space used as a massage therapy practice, and a change of use triggers review. Confirm zoning suitability for a personal-service use and obtain the CO through the City of Greenville Building & Permit Center — not the Business License Division.
Official government sourcePermit fees are set by the city's adopted fee schedule and vary with project valuation and scope; the city publishes no flat per-project amountNot published by the city — confirm current review/inspection turnaround with the Building & Permit Center
Permit fees are set by the city's adopted fee schedule and vary with project valuation and scope; the city publishes no flat per-project amount
Not published by the city — confirm current review/inspection turnaround with the Building & Permit Center
Terminus
Open for business — est. $200–$700 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?
Official Sources
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