Massage Therapy Permit Requirements in Huntington, WV

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. West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board — License

   Massage therapists in West Virginia must be licensed by the WV Massage Therapy Licensure Board. Requires at least 625 hours of supervised academic instruction (per the 2023 statutory amendment) and passing the MBLEx or another board-approved exam.

   Official government source

   $350 total for initial license ($50 non-refundable application fee + $300 two-year license fee)·4–8 weeks

   $350 total for initial license ($50 non-refundable application fee + $300 two-year license fee)

   4–8 weeks

2. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

1. City of Huntington Finance Department — General Business License

   Huntington requires a General Business License for businesses operating within city limits. The Finance Department processes applications; a copy of the WV Business Registration Certificate is required. The license must be renewed annually (July 1-June 30) and displayed at your place of business. A Business & Occupation gross-receipts tax and a $5/week/employee City Service Fee apply separately.

   Official government source

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

2. City of Huntington Certificate of Occupancy

   Any commercial space used as a massage therapy practice in Huntington needs a Certificate of Occupancy from the city's Inspections & Permits Division before you can occupy and operate. Confirm the location is zoned for personal service businesses with Huntington Planning & Zoning (800 Fifth Avenue) — not the City Clerk, whose duties are records and council. The Certificate of Occupancy is separate from the $20 General Business License, and therapists must hold their individual WV Massage Therapy Licensure Board license.

   Official government source

   $75 flat Certificate of Occupancy Application fee·1–4 weeks

   $75 flat Certificate of Occupancy Application fee

   1–4 weeks

Official Sources

• West Virginia Board of Massage Therapy — License
• City of Huntington City Clerk

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