Massage Establishment
Common guidelines that help prevent cross contamination are:
The Florida rules that are discussed in the Florida Administrative Code cover most of this same territory.
In case of colonic therapy, disposable colonic attachments or sterilization equipment for non-disposable attachments are required.
Sanitation responsibility falls on both the employee therapist and the establishment owner.
Restrooms must be provided for clients. If a building outside the establishment has a restroom within 300 feet, this will suffice. There is no requirement that restroom facilities be in the actual establishment.
The 300 feet requirement may be met when the establishment is in a building housing multiple businesses. However, choosing, if possible, a location with a private restroom might make more sense considering a client would have to get completely dressed just to take a break to the restroom.
The same holds true if there is only one therapist on duty and he or she needs to go to the restroom. The code states that a licensed therapist must be on the premises at all time when a client is in the treatment room for the purpose of receiving a massage. If the establishment does not have a private restroom for therapists and there is only one therapist on duty, using the restroom off site by the therapist would violate this rule.
The establishment owner must make sure the establishment is pest free, and that it is well lighted, ventilated and in good repair.
In terms of fire hazards and safety, the owner must make sure that there is a fire marshal approved and well charged fire extinguisher on the premises, that flammables are properly stored and passages are not obstructed.
Sanitation is one of the elements of the building codes. Florida requires that you comply with all local building code requirements.
Some older buildings may require modifications in order to be functional. In this case complying with local building codes and acquiring proper permits is a consideration on budget and time.
Anytime constructional changes are made, it can trigger the city to demand that the building meet the same codes as those of newer buildings, the extent of which depends on the particular city.
Updating may also require compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
An insurance policy may have a clause requiring compliance with local building codes. Having property damage and liability insurance is a state law. Insurance is also probably a condition of lease or mortgage agreements.
There are occasions for the state to inspect the establishment. They will do this when the establishment license is applied for and subsequent inspections are made annually. During the annual inspection, insurance coverage may be reviewed.
There is no indication in the law that an appointment be made for an inspection to take place. Unlike a home, where one can get sloppy and rush to straighten up half-an-hour before company arrives, an establishment requires constant vigilance in terms of sanitation and other code compliance even when there are no clients present.
If the business changes its name without changing owners, a new inspection is not triggered. If the business changes locations with the same owner, an inspection is required before one can open for. Such a move requires an application but no new license.
Practicing massage at a site, location or place that is not duly licensed as a massage establishment or otherwise allowed for by the Board is illegal.
There is no particular uniform requirement by the Florida Board or the NCBTMB. They are aware that the industry has a multitude of themes. While a white uniformed massage or bodywork therapist might fit well in a chiropractic office, the casual “Birkenstocker” may prefer a different ambiance all together.