DC massage establishments must hold a Health-Establishment Basic Business License, employ only therapists licensed by the DC Board of Massage Therapy, and meet sanitation and inspection requirements set by DC Health.
Massage therapy in DC is regulated under DC Code 3-1205.01 (Health Occupations Revision Act) for individual licensure and DCMR Title 17 Chapter 41 for establishments. Operators must obtain a Health-Establishment endorsement on their Basic Business License, verify each therapist's individual license through the DC Health Professional Licensing Administration, post hours and licenses publicly, and maintain sanitation logs. DC Health inspectors visit unannounced. Anti-trafficking provisions require nighttime operating restrictions for some establishments, employee identification cards, and prohibitions on overnight residential use of treatment rooms.
Practicing without a license, harboring unlicensed therapists, or operating outside permitted hours triggers fines up to $5,000 per day, license revocation, and criminal charges under DC Health enforcement.
See how Washington's massage establishments rules stack up against other locations.
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