Framingham, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Framingham Board of Health Regulations § 449-6 requires a person to hold a current, valid permit to operate a bodywork establishment before doing business in the City, layered on top of the individual permit each practicing therapist must obtain under § 449-5. To apply for the establishment permit, the operator must submit copies of every staff therapist's individual bodywork permit, keep at least one duly permitted body worker employed at all times, pay a nonrefundable application fee set by the Board of Health, and provide the name of at least one staff member currently certified in CPR who must be on-site during all operating hours.

Individual therapist applicants under § 449-5 must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, carry professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate, and submit CORI and SORI background-check releases to the Division. Under § 449-8, all establishments must comply with the City's zoning requirements and ordinances, provide a handwashing sink supplied with water between 110°F and 130°F, and submit a written sanitation plan for any bodywork involving disrobing, draping, oils or a massage table. Permits expire every December 31 under § 449-7 and are not transferable to a new owner or a new location; a permit not renewed for more than 12 months is retired and cannot be renewed at all.