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Massage and special treatment (MST) licence

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

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

The licence is valid for one year, and 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 the Licensing 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 Aroma therapists
  • the Internal Federation of Reflexologists and
  • 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 the Licensing Team 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

  1. Read the guidance notes. You can download the guidance notes from our Application pack page, or contact the Licensing Team, and we will post them to you.

  2. Complete the application form. You can download this from our Application pack page, or contact the Licensing Team, and we will post it to you.

  3. Submit your application (the postal address is given on the application form). You also need to send us with your application:
    • A cheque made payable to Greenwich Council for £282.
    • An electrical test certificate from a NICEIC approved contractor, certifying that any electrical installation is safe. (These certificates last for 5 years.) See our electrical advice on the Application pack page).
    • An electrical test certificate from a NICEIC approved contractor approved contractor certifying that any portable electrical equipment used in the premises is safe. (These certificates are valid for one year.) See our electrical advice in the Application pack page).
    • A detailed plan of the premises. (See our specimen plan in the Application pack page).
    • A copy of your public liability (third party) insurance certificate. (Your insurer must provide cover of at least £2,000,000) and
    • A passport size photograph of all persons undertaking special treatments. (The name of each practitioner must be marked on the back of each photograph.)

What happens next?

  1. Once we have reviewed your application, we will check that your therapists are appropriately qualified and experienced.
  2. We will also visit your premises to check that they are safe, and consult with the Police and London Fire Brigade.
  3. 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 ultra violet tanning equipment in commercial premises' (where applicable). You can view both of these documents on our Application pack page.

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.

Further information

Please contact the Licensing Team.

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