License and registration, please. In addition to your professional massage license, most massage businesses (sole practitioners can be exempt, read below for more on that) will need to receive an establishment registration by October 1, 2025.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed into law House Bill 278, creating massage establishment registration in the state. Going forward, businesses offering massage therapy services must be registered massage establishments—unless the business is exempt.
In this blog, we’ll break down how the bill may impact you and your business, covering massage establishment:
- Definitions
- Exemptions
- Registration
- Signage and disclosures
- Registration denial
- Unlawful conduct
- Unprofessional conduct
- Inspections
The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, so let’s get you prepared.
Definitions
A registered massage establishment is a business registered with the Division of Professional Licensing (Division) to lawfully provide massage services at a fixed establishment in Utah.
Massage establishment means a place where massage services are performed by an individual, including a location where an owner rents or leases to a sole practitioner. A massage establishment does not include:
- A location owned, rented, or leased by a single sole practitioner
- An out-call location
- A massage school
An out-call location is a place where massage services are provided that a sole practitioner or a massage establishment does not own, lease, or rent.
In addition, the bill amends the definition of massage therapy supervisor, by striking professionals who were once allowed to be supervisors. The following professionals are those who may no longer supervise: physical therapists, physicians, osteopathic physicians, acupuncturists, or chiropractic physicians. A massage therapy supervisor may supervise at one time up to six individuals of whom no more than four may be massage apprentices or massage assistants-in-training.
Sole Practitioner Exemption
A sole practitioner is a licensed massage therapist who does not employ or contract with a licensed individual to offer massage services and who does not employ an individual who works at the sole practitioner's location on a regular basis. A sole practitioner does not need to have an establishment registration.
A sole practitioner may offer massage services from:
- An out-call location
- Their residence (if they do not employ or contract with another licensed individual)
- A location where the licensed individual owns, rents, or leases
Massage Establishment Registration
Owners of a massage establishment must register their business by completing an application and submitting a fee. Extra documentation may be required, such as applicable business permits. Owners must complete a criminal background check and disclose any criminal history. If an owner has multiple businesses, each business must have its own registration. A massage registration is valid for two years and automatically expires on the date shown on the registration. Owners must renew their registration by submitting a form and applicable fee.
A registered massage establishment must maintain employment and contract documentation. This is to be made available during an inspection. Only licensed individuals can perform massage services on the establishment’s premises.
Massage Establishment Signage and Disclosures
Massage establishment owners must display their establishment registration and a copy of each massage therapist’s license working within the business. Businesses that employ a massage assistant-in-training, a massage assistant, or a massage apprentice must display a sign stating some services may be performed by assistants or apprentices.
Massage establishments must display signs that state the business:
- Verifies all providers are licensed individuals
- Informs clients of the right to request the provider's first name, last initial, and license type
- Informs clients of the right to request information for reporting complaints
Note: Before a licensed individual provides massage services to a client, the practitioner must obtain an intake form signed by the client. The practitioner must wear or display their first and last name and license type.
Massage Establishment Registration Denial
A massage establishment application may be denied if:
- The business location had a registration revoked or surrendered within the last two years
- The business has advertised or implied in the last two years that it provides sexual services
- The owner had a previous license or registration that was suspended or revoked
- The owner has a criminal conviction or pending criminal charges
Massage Establishment Unlawful Conduct
The following activities associated with massage establishment ownership and operations are illegal:
- Operating without a valid registration
- Using the premises for housing, sheltering, harboring, or concealing an individual
- Permitting an unlicensed or exempt individual to perform massage therapy services
- Allowing or arranging for massage therapy services in any state of undress or any sexual act
- Using or having adult-oriented merchandise within the business
- Advertising services on a sexually oriented website or advertising services in a way that may be viewed as sexual
- Refusing or impeding an inspection
- Refusing to provide identification to inspectors or law enforcement
- Failing to report disorderly conduct, sexual acts, or other criminal activity
Massage Establishment Unprofessional Conduct
It is considered unprofessional conduct if massage establishments fail to comply with:
- Employee and client recordkeeping requirements
- Health and sanitation codes and requirements
- Applicable registrations and ordinances
- Maintenance, including mechanical or electrical equipment, steam rooms, dry heat cabinets, or water baths
View pages 26–31 for a list of massage establishment penalties.
Massage Establishment Inspections
To ensure compliance, establishments will be inspected by the Division. Before an inspection begins, the Division will show identification, ask to see an establishment registration, and describe the purpose of the inspection. If a client is in a state of undress during an inspection, an inspector will give plenty of time for a client to dress before entering a room.
During an inspection, an inspector can be anticipated to examine records, devices, equipment, machines, media, and all areas of the establishment. A penalty or citation will be issued if a violation is observed.
Massage Assistant and Massage Assistant-in-Training Requirements
A massage assistant-in-training can perform limited massage therapy under the direct supervision of a massage therapy supervisor. A massage assistant-in-training license expires six months after the day it is issued—it can be extended only if there are circumstances of hardship or the massage therapy supervisor consents to an extension in writing.
A massage assistant can perform limited massage therapy without supervision after completing 300 hours under the indirect supervision of a massage therapy supervisor.
Massage Apprentice Qualifications
A massage apprentice applicant must show to the Division proof of:
- Graduating from a school of massage
- Completing required training while enrolled in massage school, or
- Completing a massage apprenticeship program of 1,000 hours of supervised training
- Completing required training while apprenticing
- Passing an exam
A massage apprentice license expires 24 months after the day it is issued—it can be extended only if there are circumstances of hardship or the massage therapy supervisor consents to an extension in writing.