Bloomington, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Bloomington City Code Chapter 22, Article X governs massage and bodywork establishments. Section 22-1002 makes it unlawful to advertise, engage in, conduct or permit the operation of a massage or bodywork establishment in the City without first obtaining a license. The license requirement does not apply to licensed physicians, chiropractors and similarly licensed professionals; school or team athletic trainers; licensed barbers, estheticians and cosmetologists performing limited cosmetic massage on clothed patrons; licensed hospitals, nursing homes and similar health facilities; supervised, uncompensated student bodywork; home-based bodywork practices complying with the City's home-occupation zoning rules; and bodywork performed at a patron's own residence.

A sole-proprietor massage therapist licensed by the State who operates in a commercial office can also skip the establishment license by filing a sworn annual affidavit with the City Clerk under § 22-1002B(8), confirming no employees, current state licensure, no multi-practitioner operation, and consent to random inspection; the City Clerk can deny or revoke that exemption for noncompliance, appealable under § 22-1019. As of the license cycle described in § 22-1002D-E, licenses run May 1 to April 30, aligned with the City's fiscal year. Section 22-1003 sets the license fee under the Schedule of Fees, due annually, with renewal required by April 1 or a 10% late fee applies and the renewal can be denied.

Applications under § 22-1004 must disclose the applicant's and employees' identifying information, prior license denials or revocations, criminal history, and authorize Police background checks and fingerprinting.