Apply to perform massage without a fixed location

All massage practitioners need a CAMTC Massage Therapist License from the California Massage Therapy Council to work in San Francisco.

Contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector to open a Business Registration account for your massage business.

If you intend on conducting massage in locations determined by your client, excluding your personal residence. 

Apply Here.

You are required to undergo a background check and submit fingerprint information to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation via the Live Scan Process if you are a massage business owner without a CAMTC License.

Previously processed fingerprint cards or photocopies of fingerprint impressions are not acceptable. Applicants who have been fingerprinted via Live Scan by other agencies or for other purposes must be Live Scan fingerprinted again in order to supply the agency specific information required by SFDPH.

Live Scan fingerprints must be taken in the State of California.

Fingerprint Fees

The DOJ and FBI fingerprint processing fees are established by the DOJ and FBI respectively and are subject to change by those agencies without notice. A processing fee is also charged by the Live Scan Vendor. The local Live Scan Vendor will inform you of accepted methods of payment.

The Live Scan Fingerprint Process

All required applicants must complete and submit the pre-populated “SFDPH Massage Live Scan Application Form" which you will need to print and bring with you to the Live Scan Vendor. Your SFDPH Live Scan Request form has been pre-populated with the SFDPH identifying information required by the DOJ. The only section you need to complete is the “Applicant Information” section of the form. Please take care to note the following as you complete the “Applicant Information” section of your Live Scan Request form:

• Your name on the Live Scan Request form must be identical to the name you provided on your application to SFDPH.
• To facilitate prompt and accurate processing, please PRINT LEGIBLY or TYPE as you fill in the “Applicant Information” section of the Live Scan Request Form.

1) Complete the pre-populated "SFDPH Massage Live Scan Application Form"

2) Choose a local Live Scan Vendor from the DOJ list

3) Take your completed Live Scan Request form to the Live Scan Vendor of your choice.

4) Bring your Driver's License and/or other form of photo identification with you (passport, military ID, etc.).

5) Provide the Live Scan Fee to the Live Scan Operator.

6) Once your fingerprints have been scanned, the Live Scan operator will complete the last section of your Live Scan Request form. Ask for a copy of the completed form for your records. Send a scanned copy of your completed form to the Massage Program at EHmassage@sfdph.org

When will SFDPH receive my Live Scan Results from DOJ/FBI?

Fingerprints are rejected on occasion due to the applicant's fingerprints having characteristics that are difficult to capture in the Live Scan process. If your fingerprints are rejected by DOJ/FBI, SFDPH will notify you via mail with instructions on how to be re-printed.

Please note that SFDPH expressly cannot guarantee that you will be approved for your permit on a specific date or within a specific time period, due to elements of the application process that are beyond the control of SFDPH. Such elements include, but are not limited to receipt of required documentation or supplementary information and fingerprint results from the DOJ and FBI.

Once we receive the above elements, as well as a completed and signed application with payment, the SFDPH massage application process can continue. If you have feedback or questions, email at ehmassage@sfdph.org or call us at 415-252-3800.

Check the fee schedule for the exact amount. Permits are valid for 1 year. You must pay your license fee each year to keep your permit valid.

If you need to change your mailing address, fill out the Change of Address Form and send it to EHmassage@sfdph.org.