Massage
License Overview
A City of Chicago Massage license is required for any place of business that advertises or offers massages. Massage does not include a foot or chair massage performed while the recipient is fully clothed.
Related Licenses
Massage therapists must hold a valid license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Application Requirements
- A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
- A fingerprint-based background check will be conducted for all controlling persons as part of the application process.
- Individuals involved in the business must be at least 18 years of age.
Required Documents
- Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
- Individual History Form for all controlling persons required to be fingerprinted
- Financial Disclosure Form
License Application Steps
- Submit initial business information in person or online
- Receive zoning approval from the City
- Complete and submit a full license application
- Get fingerprinted for a fingerprint-based background check. Every owner, corporate officer, or any person who has a 25% or more interest in the business will be prompted to get fingerprinted.
- Make payment for the license
- Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
- Receive license once all requirements are met
For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage.
Cost
$550 License Fee
$40 processing fee per controlling person required to be fingerprinted
How to Apply
In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.
Online: Visit the online business license application system.
Operating Requirements
- Price rates for all services must be prominently posted in the reception area or provided to customers as a written price list.
- Establishments may not employ or contract with any person as a massage therapist who does not hold a valid license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Establishments must require their staff to remain clothed at all times. The sexual or genital areas of all customers must remain covered at all times when in the presence of staff except for certain clinical exceptions.
- Establishments must provide clean laundered sheets and towels
- Establishments must prohibit its staff from offering to or actually touching the sexual or genital area of any person on its premises. Certain clinical massage therapy practices are an exception.
- Licensees must maintain a record of the time and date of all massage services, the person giving the services, and the amounts received for the services.
- Establishments must provide prospective customers with a written notice regarding the prohibition on soliciting a sexual act (the required language is contained in the Municipal Code).
Renewal Requirements
A Massage license is issued for a period of two years and must be renewed prior to expiration. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.
Resources
For questions, call 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.744.1944, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org