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Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Business Licensing Database
MASSAGE PARLOR/MASSAGE THERAPIST

MASSAGE MASSAGE PARLOR MASSAGE THERAPIST MASSEUSE
STEAM BATH THERAPIST

Local
Local Licensing Authorities
MASSAGE PARLORS: According to state law (12-48.5-101 through 118 C.R.S.), massage parlors MUST be licensed to operate legally in Colorado. Licensing authority is through the local government - cities and counties - were massage parlors operate. If the local government does not issue a license then a massage parlor may NOT operate in that area.
MASSAGE THERAPIST: State law specifically exempts massage therapists from licensure as Massage Parlors. A massage therapist is defined as a person who has graduated from an accredited or approved massage therapy school with a minimum of five hundred (500) hours of massage therapy training.
While the state exempts massage therapists from licensure, many cities still license massage therapists as well as massage parlors. Anyone performing massage as a therapist or a massage parlor should always contact the local licensing authorities in each area where they will work. For example, if a massage therapist operates a mobile business and goes to his/her clients' locations to perform massage, the therapist should contact every city, town and county where s/he has clients.

State

Colorado Department of Higher Education
Division of Private Occupational Schools
1380 Lawrence St #1200
DENVER , CO   80204-2059
(303)894-2960
Fax: (303)866-4237
Training from a program which has NOT been recognized by the Colorado Division of Occupational Schools or its equivalent in another state does NOT qualify for the exemption from licensure as a massage parlor and may NOT operate as a massage therapist in Colorado. There are no exceptions for experience or licensing earned in another state. This includes all individuals performing massage as employees of a massage therapist.
NOTE:  Massage of scalp is the practice of cosmetology. See BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS
NOTE:  Massage therapists cannot advertise as "physical therapists" or medical professionals that are licensed occupations by the state of Colorado.

page last updated 6/6/06

The Colorado Revised Statutes are available on line at http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0. You can locate a statute of interest by searching either on the citation given in the database (e.g., 18-5-307) or on a keyword or phrase.

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