Is it legal to massage people for money without a license?

[MagicMissy]

Like if I wanted to advertise that I give massages (for $40/hr) in my home...Could I legally do this without having gone to a massage school and gotten a degree? Is it legal to give massages for money without a license?

Nothing sexual, so please don't bother with that. BEST answer gets 10 points.

 

[Mike Mor]

I dont think its legal. Theres a REASON that people who give professional massages have a license, wether its to assure protection if anything goes wrong, or if the customer is actually getting what he/she is paying for. If you are having people pay you for a "professional" massage, then you are ripping them off because you have not yet achieved the title of a professional masseuse which is necessary only through a license (Im saying "you" hypothetically).

Imagine it like a haircut. You wouldnt go around offering people a haircut for 10 bucks only because you think you know how if you dont have the correct knowledge. There are some techniques only learned by professionals that assure the customer a good haircut. Plus, who is then to blame if you (hypothetically) mess up on his/her hair. If he or she has a bald spot because of you, you can get in trouble for impersonating a professional licensed barber, on top of the trouble of the messed up hair

 

[Helper Monkey]

No, as long as you're not advertising falsely that you have been trained.

Watch out for using your home as a business though. There are lot of tricky tax laws to be aware of.

 

[Dana]

Yes in most states it is! You can get in a lot of trouble for doing so. I was going to do that while I was in massage school before I graduated, and they told me if I did a bunch of stuff could happen. Don't do it.

 

[KMcG]

Check with your state's Secretary of State's office, they are the one in charge of professional licenses. They may be other regulation you will have to comply with, such as health regulation. I'm not sure who'd have much business, I personally would not go to a massage therapist with no credentials or training. If you do something that results in a person being injured then you would at the very least get sued and might possibly face criminal charges. There is a reason why proper training is required.

 

[Cam5X5]

WAIT.... there a degree for messaging?
OK trust me that a rip off degree...
And if there is a degree for it...
I'm guessing to a certain extent it might be illegal depending on where you live. Just basing this due to the degree

 

[ladystang]

have to call for local laws but would think you need a business license

 

[MACKENFIRE1]

Im pretty sure no.

 

[Will Nickel]

No, it's actually not. It would be a violation of state health statutes. Plus, it'd be impossible to get liability insurance, which you'd be an absolute fool to forgo. And of course, you'd also be in violation of state and federal law regarding taxes if you failed to report the income, and that'd be a longer jail term than if you did it right and got your license...for which you have to have that degree.

Sorry, kid, but you gotta play by the rules just like everyone else.