Philadelphia, PA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Under Philadelphia Code § 9-610, no one may engage in the business of, or work as, a masseur or masseuse without an operator's license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Applicants must submit their name, address, three years of prior addresses, three years of past employers, and any other information the Department requires, along with a $40 annual license fee. Section 9-611 layers on additional licensing for masseurs, masters, and apprentices: a written application to Licenses and Inspections, a health certificate from a Pennsylvania-registered physician, a $40 registration fee, and passage of Department of Health examination and training requirements before a master or apprentice license issues. At least one licensed master masseur must be on-site whenever a licensed establishment is operating. Medical settings are exempt, massage given in a physician's, osteopath's, chiropractor's, or physical therapist's office, in a hospital or sanitarium, or on a doctor's order is not covered.