Burke County, NC Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Sec. 14-46 makes licensing mandatory: no person shall work as a massagist or operate a massage parlor unless licensed to do so. Applications go to the sheriff under Sec. 14-48, and Sec. 14-49 requires an individual applicant to be of good moral character with at least three written recommendations, plus a health certificate from a medical doctor for every massagist working under the license; anyone convicted of a sexual-misconduct crime or under 18 is disqualified. Applicants must submit to fingerprinting under Sec. 14-51. Once the sheriff approves an application and collects the annual fee for the premises and for each massagist beyond three, a license issues under Sec.

14-53; it expires every December 31 and can be renewed under Sec. 14-57 and Sec. 14-58. Sec. , and Sec. 14-33 bars massaging the penis, scrotum, mons veneris, vulva or vaginal area of another. Sec. 14-30 bars massaging or employing anyone under 18. Under Sec. 14-59, the board of commissioners can revoke a license after a hearing if there is substantial evidence of a violation of the article, a crime of violence or moral turpitude, or a nuisance on the premises, and a revoked license carries no refund under Sec. 14-60.