SERBISYO
Apply to operate a massage establishment
Get a General Establishment or Sole Practitioner permit to own and operate a massage business in a fixed location.
Ano ang dapat malaman
Gastos
You’ll need to pay:
- An application fee
- A background check fee
- And an annual license fee
Check the fee schedule for the application and license fees. Email the SF Police Department at sfpdpermits@sf.gov or call 415-553-1115 to find out about the background check fee.
Other permits you might need
All massage practitioners need a Massage Therapist License from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) to work in San Francisco. If you are practicing massage at locations determined by your client, you need an Outcall Practitioner Permit.
Ano ang gagawin
1. Check that your location is zoned for massage
Contact the Planning Department. If your location is not zoned for massage, you will need to find a new location. If you will be constructing a building or remodeling, you need a permit from the Department of Building Inspection.
2. Register your massage business
Contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector to open a Business Registration account.
If you are changing the owner of an existing massage establishment, you'll need to follow a different process.
3. Complete the permit application packet
If your establishment has 2 or more practitioners, you need a General Establishment permit.
If you are the only practitioner, you need the Sole Practitioner permit. 2 people with their own Sole Practitioner permits can share a single space.
4. Pay the fee
Write a check, cashier’s check, or money order to “San Francisco Department of Public Health”. Check the fee schedule for the exact amount.
5. Submit your documents and fee
Mail your application and fee to:
SFDPH - EHB (Massage Program)
49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
You can also pay with a credit card in person at the Permit Center:
49 South Van Ness Avenue, 2nd floor, Station # 83
6. Submit a background check form and fee
If you have a Massage Therapist License from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) you do not need to complete this background check.
If you do not have a Massage Therapist License from CAMTC, you need to complete the background check and clearance form. You will also need to pay a fee. Email sfpdpermits@sfgov.org or call 415-553-1115 to ask about the fee.
Email the form to sfpdpermits@sfgov.org. The Police Department will contact you to schedule an appointment to get finger printed. You will need to pay the fee in person.
The background check is valid for 3 months.
7. Pay the license fee
Check the fee schedule for the exact amount. Permits are valid for 1 year. You must pay your license fee each year to keep your permit valid.
If you need to change your mailing address, fill out the Change of Address Form and send it to EHmassage@sfdph.org.
Pagsuporta sa impormasyon
Mga espesyal na kaso
If you have a professional license
You do not need a permit if you are licensed in California in one of these professions:
- Physician
- Surgeon
- Chiropractor
- Osteopath
- Nurse
- Physical therapist
Switching between permit types
If you already have a General Establishment permit and you want to start practicing massage in locations determined by your client, you need an Outcall Permit.
If you already have a Sole Practitioner permit and you want to start practicing massage in locations determined by your client, you do not need to reapply. Call 415-252-3800 to let us know.
Humingi ng tulong
Mga ahensyang kasosyo
Ano ang dapat malaman
Gastos
You’ll need to pay:
- An application fee
- A background check fee
- And an annual license fee
Check the fee schedule for the application and license fees. Email the SF Police Department at sfpdpermits@sf.gov or call 415-553-1115 to find out about the background check fee.
Other permits you might need
All massage practitioners need a Massage Therapist License from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) to work in San Francisco. If you are practicing massage at locations determined by your client, you need an Outcall Practitioner Permit.
Ano ang gagawin
1. Check that your location is zoned for massage
Contact the Planning Department. If your location is not zoned for massage, you will need to find a new location. If you will be constructing a building or remodeling, you need a permit from the Department of Building Inspection.
2. Register your massage business
Contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector to open a Business Registration account.
If you are changing the owner of an existing massage establishment, you'll need to follow a different process.
3. Complete the permit application packet
If your establishment has 2 or more practitioners, you need a General Establishment permit.
If you are the only practitioner, you need the Sole Practitioner permit. 2 people with their own Sole Practitioner permits can share a single space.
4. Pay the fee
Write a check, cashier’s check, or money order to “San Francisco Department of Public Health”. Check the fee schedule for the exact amount.
5. Submit your documents and fee
Mail your application and fee to:
SFDPH - EHB (Massage Program)
49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
You can also pay with a credit card in person at the Permit Center:
49 South Van Ness Avenue, 2nd floor, Station # 83
6. Submit a background check form and fee
If you have a Massage Therapist License from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) you do not need to complete this background check.
If you do not have a Massage Therapist License from CAMTC, you need to complete the background check and clearance form. You will also need to pay a fee. Email sfpdpermits@sfgov.org or call 415-553-1115 to ask about the fee.
Email the form to sfpdpermits@sfgov.org. The Police Department will contact you to schedule an appointment to get finger printed. You will need to pay the fee in person.
The background check is valid for 3 months.
7. Pay the license fee
Check the fee schedule for the exact amount. Permits are valid for 1 year. You must pay your license fee each year to keep your permit valid.
If you need to change your mailing address, fill out the Change of Address Form and send it to EHmassage@sfdph.org.
Pagsuporta sa impormasyon
Mga espesyal na kaso
If you have a professional license
You do not need a permit if you are licensed in California in one of these professions:
- Physician
- Surgeon
- Chiropractor
- Osteopath
- Nurse
- Physical therapist
Switching between permit types
If you already have a General Establishment permit and you want to start practicing massage in locations determined by your client, you need an Outcall Permit.
If you already have a Sole Practitioner permit and you want to start practicing massage in locations determined by your client, you do not need to reapply. Call 415-252-3800 to let us know.