Springfield, MO Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- License type
- Individual technician, not business
- Issuing office
- Director of finance
- Required credential
- Missouri-licensed massage school graduate
- Business fee
- $25 under § 70-84(20)
Summary
Springfield, Missouri licenses individual massage practitioners rather than businesses: anyone who practices massage for compensation must hold a city massage technician license issued by the director of finance.
No person shall engage in the practice of massage within the city unless such person has first been issued a massage technician license by the director of finance of the city, and unless such license remains in effect in conformity with this article. The director of finance may issue a massage technician license to graduates of a state board of therapeutic massage licensed school of massage, upon their compliance with the other relevant provisions of this article and this Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 70-593 requires anyone practicing massage in Springfield, defined at § 70-591 as pressure, friction, rubbing, kneading or similar techniques applied to the body for consideration, to hold a massage technician license from the director of finance, available to graduates of a school licensed by the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage. Businesses operating as bathhouses or massage establishments separately pay the $25 occupational license fee listed under § 70-84(20) for 'bathhouses, masseurs, physical therapy, weight control by machine, exercise or health studios or similar establishments.' Licensed physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, athletic trainers and licensed barbers/beauticians acting within their own professions are exempt under § 70-592.
Violations & Fines
Practicing massage for hire without a technician license, or operating an unlicensed massage business, is enforceable as a code violation, and the city may deny, suspend or revoke a license for a disqualifying criminal conviction under § 70-597.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Springfield license massage businesses or individual therapists?
Are licensed physical therapists exempt from Springfield's massage license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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