08/21/2025
CLARIFICATION FOR MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
Who Needs a TN Massage Establishment License? 🧐
- If you run a massage business, are open to the public (including from a brick and mortar, from a mobile vehicle clinic, or your home), and you get compensation, you need a TN Massage Establishment License. (This has not changed) 📝
- If you work under a place (I’ll use Nashville School of Massage Therapy) and you are an employee, contract 1099, or renting space but you accept clients as an entity of Nashville School of Massage Therapy, it's their responsibility to have the TN Massage Establishment License for the people working in their establishment (This has not changed) 💼
Big Clarification: 📣
- If you're running YOUR OWN massage business, like "Secret’s Holistic Hideaway" and just renting space at Nashville School of Massage Therapy, you CAN'T use their TN Massage Establishment License. You need YOUR OWN TN Massage Establishment License. 🚫
- Multiple businesses CAN be at the same address! So, if you rent a room part-time, and there are other people also sharing that room, each of you will need your own Establishment License. You CANNOT share one establishment license for the room/address if you are all separate businesses. 🏢
- If you are renting a space, and serve as an entity in that business i.e. Secret Doss, LMT at Nashville School of Massage Therapy and the clients are clear that they are still in the business “Nashville School of Massage Therapy” and they have not crossed into “Secret’s Holistic Hideaway” (a separate business) You can be under the establishment license of “Nashville School of Massage Therapy.” ✅
Here's the Deal: 👍
- Working for someone? (They book clients, pay you?): You’re covered by THEIR TN Massage Establishment License. (Let’s be checking these for owners, responsible person, and expiration date just to be sure the business is in compliance) 🕵️♀️
- Running your own show? (You have a separate name from the establishment you are in): You need your own TN Massage Establishment License. 🫵
Exception: ⚠️
- If you're working at a doctor's office (MD, DC, DO)🩺, and massage isn't the main service at the address, you DON'T need a TN Massage Establishment License.
- If you are renting out a space where massage is the main business activity, but the building is owned by a doctor (MD, DC, DO) you do NEED a TN Massage Establishment License
Real-World Examples: 🌍
- Example 1: You work as an employee at Nashville School of Massage Therapy. They handle everything from booking, to payments and they pay you. You’re GOOD (they have the TN Massage Establishment License). 🎉
- Example 2: You rent a room a few days a week, book your own clients, use your own website, and do not identify as an entity for the main business. You NEED your own TN Massage Establishment License. 💻
- Example 3: If you working out of a room, in a business, and you are seen and advertised as an entity of that establishment, regardless of the business agreement you have with the owner (1099, contract, renter, split compensation) You CAN be under THEIR TN Massage Establishment License.🤝
Action Time! 🗓️
- If this affects you, you should apply to get your TN Massage Establishment License this year by December 31, 2025! ⏳
Do it as SOON as you can because it takes time to process. (If you need help applying, I’m happy to help) 🙋♀️
- Here is the link to the LARS system for the online application: https://lars.tn.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do Just select the appropriate application (Massage Establishment License) once you have entered the system. It's the same login you use to renew your license! 🌐
- If you are applying for a new establishment license you have to go through the full process, letters of recommendation, and a background check. Here is the link to the specific background check site (IdentoGo) you MUST use: https://tn.state.identogo.com/workflow/28TYXY 🔗
- When it asks for an OCA # use: 2681 (massage establishment) 🔑
Got a Retired TN Massage Establishment License? 🗄️
- You can bring it back WITHOUT a new background check! 🥳
Just fill out a reinstatement application, pay the fee to the administrative office, comply with the reinstatement procedures, and you are back in compliance! ✅
Questions? 🤔
- If you have questions, please email me at [email protected] or reach out to me at InstructorDoss on Facebook 📧
- Also, I have scheduled a Q&A via zoom the evening of August 27th, from 5pm-6pm CST and I'll be happy to answer any questions or have any discussions you want to have on the topics from these rule changes from the board! It's free for anyone to join, so spread the word so we can all make sure we are giving out the right information! 🗣️
Here is the link to the zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/3212740077?omn=91964615867 💻
- If you would like to reach out the the TN Massage License Board Administrative Staff this is the email to use: [email protected]
- Note: If your question does not have to do with applications, renewals, reinstatements, or other administrative tasks, please refer your questions to a TN Law instructor. If you want to make a public comment at a board meeting there is a process and procedure for doing so, the admin office is not the place to air grievances. If you need information on how to send in a public comment please reach out to me. ℹ️
