Richmond, VA Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Who may give massage
- Certified massage therapist only
- Allowed locations
- 8 settings listed in § 6-62(b)
- License fee
- $30.00 or $0.36 per $100 receipts
- Certificate display
- Required at establishment (§ 6-63)
- Default penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500
Summary
Richmond only lets a certified massage therapist give a massage for consideration, and Section 6-62 confines where that can happen to eight named settings, from a massage establishment to a beauty salon or health club. Practitioners must display their State Board of Nursing certificate and pay the City's massage practitioner license tax.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to give a massage in exchange for consideration within the City unless:(1)The massage is given for medical, relaxation, remedial or hygienic purposes; and(2)The person giving the massage is a certified massage therapist.(b)A certified massage therapist may give a massage in the City only at the following locations and under the following conditions:(1)At a massage establishment;(2)At the regular place of business, not located in a residence, of the massage patron during the regular business hours of such business;(3)At a beauty salon;(4)At a care facility;(5)At a health club;(6)At a public gathering;(7)At a tanning salon; and(8)Except as otherwise prohibited in this section, at a place provided by the massage recipient, provided that, regardless of location, the certified massage therapist shall possess the certificate issued to the certified massage therapist by the State Board of Nursing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
1-3029. That therapist can only work at a massage establishment, at a patron's own business during regular hours, at a beauty salon, care facility, health club, public gathering of more than 50 people, tanning salon, or at a location the patron provides, and even then must carry the State Board of Nursing certificate. Section 6-61 exempts physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, licensed physical therapists, hospital and nursing home employees under medical supervision, registered nurses, athletic trainers, and barbers or beauticians limited to scalp, face, neck or shoulder work.
Section 6-63 requires every certified massage therapist to conspicuously post that current certificate at the establishment or other allowed location. Section 6-64 makes it unlawful for either the therapist or the patron to touch, fondle or expose sexual or genital parts, or to fail to keep them covered with a fully opaque covering during a session. Section 6-65 bars anyone who isn't a certified massage therapist, or a business whose staff aren't certified or exempt, from using the word 'massage' in any sign or advertisement. 1-3007. 00 of gross receipts, for every massage practitioner in the City.
Violations & Fines
The article doesn't set its own misdemeanor class, so a violation, such as operating outside the permitted locations, skipping the certificate posting, or the sexual-contact and exposure offenses in Section 6-64, defaults to the City's general penalty in Section 1-16: a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500.00 and 12 months in jail. A Section 6-64 conviction also triggers the Chief of Police's mandatory report to the State Board of Nursing, which can revoke the therapist's certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richmond require a separate massage establishment permit?
Where can a certified massage therapist legally work in Richmond?
What's the license tax for massage practitioners?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
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