Brookhaven, GA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Section 15-347 splits the requirement in two. Every natural person who administers massages needs a massage therapist license, and every person, natural or corporate, who runs a massage establishment needs an establishment license. An establishment is a business run for profit that employs or contracts with one or more massage therapists, or maintains one or more massage apparatus (section 15-346). Hospitals and other health care establishments separately licensed by the state fall outside the definition, and section 15-348 also carves out physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

Applications go to the finance department, sworn before a notary, with affidavits from at least three bona fide city residents on good moral character, proof the applicant is over 18, two photographs of two inches by two inches, three years of business and residence history, and fingerprints taken by the police department at the applicant's expense (section 15-349). Therapists add a physician's certificate dated within 30 days and proof of not less than 500 classroom hours of education plus the National Certification Board exam (section 15-350(a)).

Section 15-350(b) sets the establishment standards. A felony or moral turpitude misdemeanor within four years before filing blocks the applicant. A corporate applicant must be chartered or authorized to do business in Georgia, and the owner or agent must be a Georgia resident. A readable sign at the main entrance must meet the sign requirements of chapter 21. At least one artificial light of not less than 40 watts is required in each enclosed room or booth, ordinary beds or mattresses are barred, and the building needs a valid, current certificate of occupancy.

The director denies applications that are incomplete, fall short of the minimum standards, or contain false information. A denied applicant cannot reapply for one year, and the written denial can be appealed within 15 days (section 15-351). Section 15-355 bars alcohol on the premises, requires the license to be displayed conspicuously, allows inspection with or without notice during business hours, and requires changes in the employee list to be filed within ten days.