Massage Therapy Establishments and Massage Therapists

The State of Hawaii requires massage therapists be licensed. A massage therapist license is required to perform massage for compensation. Hawaii also licenses massage therapy establishments. In Hawaii, both a massage therapist and the massage establishment he or she works at must be licensed.

Can a massage therapist practice massage at my home, in my hotel room, or at my place of business? A licensed massage therapist can practice massage at a client’s residence or place of business. The Hawaii Board of Massage requires locations where massage is regularly performed be licensed.

Other consumer protections:
Massage apprentices. Apprentices are trainees and as a consumer, you have the right to know if services are being provided by a licensed massage therapist or an apprentice. A massage establishment must notify you if you are to be massaged by an apprentice. The law also requires apprentices wear name tags stating the apprentice’s name and identifying the individual as an apprentice. Apprentices can only perform massage therapy services under the direct supervision of their sponsoring massage therapist and at their permitted massage establishment.

Advertising by massage therapy establishments and individuals. It is a misdemeanor to advertise or perform massage without a valid license. Advertisements must include a current license number.

Appropriately trained. It’s against the law for a massage therapist to represent they’re trained in a technique they’re not trained to perform.

A professional and sanitary space. All licensed massage establishments are required to follow Hawaii Department of Health sanitation guidelines.

Individual massage rooms should be private but accessible. Consumers who seek the services of massage therapy professionals should feel safe in doing so. Individual massage rooms should be private, but accessible. Use of locks on individual massage room doors is prohibited.

For additional information about Hawaii’s licensing requirements click here: Information about Licensing Requirements for Massage Establishments and Therapists

RICO relies on information from consumers to monitor conduct in the industry and to watch for unlicensed activity. For information about filing a complaint, click on the link below or call the RICO Consumer Resource Center to speak with an intake investigator about your complaint.