Massage Therapy Permits & Licenses in Hilo, HI

Limits clients to 1/day, no external signage, 25% floor space limit (Honolulu Revised Ordinances §21-9.4).

Required for all LLCs. Annual reports required thereafter ($15 fee, due by end of anniversary month).

Ongoing requirement for all LLCs to maintain good standing.

Prerequisites: 500 hours approved training, pass MBLEx exam (or equivalent), age 18+, CPR certification. Required for all practicing massage therapists.

Required for any fixed location where massage therapy is performed. Must have licensed therapist on staff; inspections required. Outcall services exempt.

Required for ALL businesses in Hawaii with nexus (sales/services). 4-4.5% tax rate on gross receipts.

Must publish in newspaper for 3 consecutive issues in county of principal place of business.

Required for all businesses operating in Hawaii County. Massage therapy classified under personal services.

Required for all businesses in Honolulu. Separate application per location.

Applies county-wide on Kauai. Massage parlors may require additional review.

Required for all commercial activities. Online application available.

Massage therapy typically allowed in commercial (B-1/B-2) or medical office zones. Home occupation permit needed for residences (e.g., Honolulu Ordinance 88-22).

All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization. E-Verify is not federally required unless under federal contract. Employers in certain states (not Hawaii) may have additional requirements.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Independent contractors are not covered. Massage therapists classified as employees must be paid accordingly. Tip credits do not apply unless in a tipped occupation under FLSA (not typical for massage).

Requires covered employers to provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specified family and medical reasons. Most small massage therapy businesses do not meet the 50-employee threshold.

The FDA regulates lotions and oils as cosmetics but does not require pre-market approval. Massage therapy services are not regulated by ATF, FCC, DOT, or other federal licensing agencies. Businesses using CBD products must comply with FDA rules on cannabis derivatives.

Requires compliance with Do Not Call Registry, proper identification during calls, and honoring opt-outs. CAN-SPAM Act mandates valid physical address, clear subject lines, and unsubscribe mechanisms in commercial emails.

Due every year in the quarter corresponding to the month of formation. Example: An LLC formed in February must file by February 28 annually. Available online via the DCCA eFiling portal.

All licensed massage therapists must renew every two years. Renewal opens 60 days before expiration. Licensees must attest to completion of continuing education.

24 hours of board-approved continuing education required per renewal cycle. At least 2 hours must be in ethics or professional conduct. Courses must be from approved providers.

Required postings include Hawaii Minimum Wage, OSHA Poster, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and Family Leave Act. Must be displayed in a conspicuous location accessible to employees.

EIN is one-time registration, but use is ongoing. Employers must file Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 annually. Estimated taxes and withholding must be deposited according to IRS deposit schedule.

All businesses in Hawaii must pay GET (ranging from 0.5% to 4% depending on island and business type). Massage therapy subject to 4% on Oahu, 3% on neighbor islands. Quarterly filers due by the 20th of the month following the quarter. Monthly filers due by the 20th following the month.

Mandatory for all employers with one or more employees. Must be obtained from an approved insurer or self-insurance program. Policy must be renewed annually.

Employers must register within 10 days of hiring first employee. File Form UI-3/4/5 each quarter. New employers assigned rate of 2.7%.

Each licensed massage therapist must display their current license in a visible location at the place of practice. Applies to all practitioners, regardless of business structure.

Required in all counties. Honolulu requires General Excise Tax (GET) license as part of business licensing. Renewal due on issuance anniversary. Fees vary: Kauai $50, Maui $50, Hawaii County $25–$50 depending on revenue.

All records related to General Excise Tax, including receipts, invoices, and tax returns, must be kept for a minimum of 5 years. Applies to all businesses regardless of size.

Businesses with 11 or more employees must maintain OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries). Form 300A must be posted annually from February 1 to April 30. Exempt if under 10 employees or in exempt industry.

Required for massage table installations if altering space. Massage rooms need proper ventilation per building code.

Size restrictions (e.g., 32 sq ft max wall sign in Honolulu). Prohibited near residential zones.

Massage establishments require 2 exits, fire extinguishers, no locked doors during business hours (NFPA 1 adopted locally).

Required under HAR §11-62. Specifically for massage parlors - sink requirements, sanitization protocols.

Monitored systems required in commercial spaces per International Fire Code.

Massage therapy = 1 space per treatment room + 1/employee.

Mandated under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 386. Sole proprietors are not required to carry coverage for themselves unless they elect to do so. All employers, regardless of number of employees, must have coverage once they hire even one employee. Coverage must be obtained through private insurer or the state fund (State Insurance Division).

Not legally required by the State of Hawaii for massage therapy businesses. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims. Some landlords or leasing agreements may require proof of general liability insurance as a condition of tenancy.

Frequency varies by county. In Honolulu, inspections occur every two years for low-risk businesses. Required for all commercial occupancies. Fire extinguishers and exits must meet code.

Self-employed owners must make quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. Includes income and self-employment tax.

Individuals and pass-through entities (like LLCs) must pay estimated state income tax if expected liability exceeds $200. Due quarterly on specified dates.

Hawaii does not legally require massage therapists to carry professional liability insurance. However, the Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing Board (PVL) recommends it. Many professional associations and malpractice carriers offer policies tailored to licensed massage therapists. Strongly advised to mitigate risk of claims related to treatment errors.

Hawaii does not require a surety bond for licensure or operation of a massage therapy business or individual massage therapist. The state regulates massage therapy through licensure under the Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing Board, but no bond is listed as a condition of licensure in administrative rules or statutes.

All vehicles registered in Hawaii must carry minimum liability insurance under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 294-3. Minimum coverage: $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Applies if the LLC owns or operates a vehicle for client transport, mobile services, or business use.

No state mandate for product liability insurance. However, if the LLC sells physical products (e.g., massage oils, lotions, candles), it assumes liability for product-related injuries. While not required, such coverage is strongly recommended. Regulated under general product safety laws (HRS Chapter 489), but no insurance mandate exists.

Not required unless the business serves or sells alcohol. Massage therapy businesses in Hawaii are not permitted to serve alcohol as part of standard practice, and no licensing framework supports such activity. Therefore, liquor liability insurance is not applicable.

All LLCs in Hawaii must register for the General Excise and Use Tax (GET) and obtain a state tax ID. County-level business licenses may also be required depending on location and business type. Home-based or mobile operations may need additional zoning or health permits.

While not legally required for sole proprietorships with no employees, an EIN is necessary for opening a business bank account and maintaining liability protection for an LLC. Massage therapy businesses structured as LLCs should obtain one regardless of employment status.

A single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs file as partnerships using Form 1065. All net earnings are subject to self-employment tax unless the LLC elects corporate taxation.

Massage therapy businesses must provide a safe workplace free of recognized hazards. Required postings include the OSHA Job Safety and Health – It's the Law poster (available free from OSHA). No formal safety program is required for small employers unless specific hazards exist.

Requires physical accessibility (e.g., accessible entrances, restrooms if provided), effective communication with clients with disabilities, and reasonable policy modifications. Existing facilities must remove barriers when "readily achievable." New construction or alterations must comply with ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Typical massage therapy practices (use of oils, lotions, linens) do not trigger federal EPA reporting or permitting requirements. Businesses using significant quantities of regulated chemicals may need to comply with RCRA or CERCLA, but this is rare for standard operations.

Applies to all businesses engaged in commerce. Prohibits deceptive or unsubstantiated claims (e.g., "cures medical conditions" without evidence). Requires clear disclosure of material connections in testimonials and endorsements. Online advertising must comply with FTC’s Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.