Massage and special treatment licences

In order to provide special treatments and massage, you need to obtain a licence for your premises from the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The therapist who provides the treatment also has to be registered with us.

The licence is valid for one year, and it needs to be renewed every year.

What are special treatments?

This covers a wide variety of treatments, including massage, water treatments such as saunas, electrical treatments, and other health and beauty treatments. Please contact Environmental Health - Commercial team if you need to clarify if your treatment is classified as a special treatment.

Exemptions

Some professional organisations are exempt from the requirement for a licence. These include:

• the British Acupuncture Association
• the Royal Pharmaceutical Association
• the British Association of Electrolysists
• the International Federation of Aromatherapists
• the Internal Federation of Reflexologists
• the Shiatsu Society.

If the special treatment is carried out by, or under the supervision of, a member of one of these bodies, you do not need a licence for that specific treatment.

If you are a member of a professional body, please contact Environmental Health - Commercial and we will advise you if you are exempt.

If you are in an exempt professional organisation, you still need to tell us which organisation you belong to, and give us your membership details.

How to apply for a licence

Contact the Environmental Health - Commercial department for an application form.

What happens next?

Once we have reviewed your application, we will check that your therapists are appropriately qualified and experienced.

We will also visit your premises to check that they are safe, and consult with the police and London Fire Brigade.

Once we are satisfied, we will issue the licence to you.

Conditions of the licence

The licence is subject to our terms and conditions, and our code of practice for ultraviolet tanning equipment in commercial premises (where applicable).

Offences and penalties

It is offence for any person to administer, or advertise the availability of a special treatment without a licence unless there is an exemption in force – see exemptions above. Any person found guilty of an offence may be fined up to £2,500.