Massage Therapy

The Massage Therapy Practice Act (Utah Code § 58-47b) was amended in 2025, creating a new requirement for massage establishments to be registered with the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). The new law defines "massage establishment" and outlines standards for unlawful and unprofessional conduct.

Any business with a fixed location where massage services are performed. Each physical location must be registered separately.

*Certain locations are exempt from registration. To see if your facility qualifies for exemption, please refer to the exemptions FAQ below, or Utah Code § 58-47b-304.1. 

A "Massage Establishment", as defined in Utah Code § 58-47b, is a fixed location where massage services are performed by an individual. This includes a location an owner rents or leases to multiple sole practitioners to perform massage services.

The following locations are not considered to be "massage establishments" and therefore do not need to register:

1. a location owned, rented, or leased by a single sole practitioner to perform massage services;
2. an out-call location; or
3. a massage school where massage services are only performed for an educational purpose.

*Certain locations are exempt from registration. To see if your facility qualifies, please refer to the establishment exemptions section in our FAQs.

A sole practitioner is a (one) licensed massage therapist who owns or rents their location and does not employ or contract with anyone else to offer massage services.

The following establishments or facilites are exempt from registering as massage establishments:

1. hospitals or medical clinics;
2. physician offices;
3. physical therapy facilities;
4. chiropractic offices;
5. athletic training facilities or institutions of secondary or higher education when massage services are performed in connection with employment related to athletic teams; and
6. a sole practitioner who only rents or leases to another sole practitioner, if the sole practitioner meets the requirements described in Utah Code § 58-47b-504.

The following requirements must be met:

• Submit an application and pay the required fees.
• Have a physical business location in Utah. Each physical location must obtain a separate massage establishment registration.
• Provide proof of the legal right to occupy and operate the business location (ex., lease agreement, rental agreement, or ownership deed).
• Provide a copy of the current business license issued by the applicable municipality or county.
• Be registered with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code (DCCC).
• Document that the facility complies with the Division's rules.
• Provide an organizational chart identifying all owners, managers, and any officers or directors. If an entity is listed, the chart must identify the individual(s) behind that entity.
• Provide proof of lawful presence in the United States for individuals who own/manage the business.
• Consent to a criminal history background check for all owners, officers, directors, and general managers (see FAQ below). Visit our Fingerprinting Information page for instructions.
• Submit a recent passport-quality, color photograph of each owner, officer, and manager.
• Submit a signed attestation that the business does not engage in illegal activities such as human trafficking.
• Meet with DOPL or the Board of Massage Therapy, if requested.

As required by Utah Code § 58-47-302.2, a criminal background check is required for each individual who:

• personally or constructively holds (including as the beneficiary of a trust) at least 10% of the entity's outstanding stock, or more than $25,000 of its fair market value;
• has a direct or indirect participating interest of 10% or more in the entity's profits, proceeds, or capital gains;
• is a member of the board of directors or other governing body of the entity; or
• serves as an elected officer or general manager.

(Note: Minors who are owners as beneficiaries of a trust are exempt from the criminal background check requirement.)

Operating a massage establishment without a valid registration is unlawful conduct and can lead to serious penalties. DOPL can impose an administrative fine or take other administrative actions, such as notifying the local police department and municipality where the establishment is located.

In addition to, or in place of a fine, DOPL can assess a penalty of up to $10,000 for a single violation or up to $2,000 per day for an ongoing violation to any massage establishment that is in violation of the provisions of Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act, Section 58-47b-501.1 or 58-47b-502.1, or any rule or order issued with respect to these provisions.

You can file a complaint on our website by clicking "File a Complaint."

No, massage establishment registrations cannot be assigned or transferred. If ownership or legal possession of a massage establishment changes, a new registration application must be submitted.

The inspection form can be found on our website under Massage Therapy Resources.

The Client Rights and Safety Sign can be found on our website under Massage Therapy Resources.