CHAPTER 124
MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

 

124.01 Purpose	124.04 Display of License
124.02 Definitions	124.05 Penalty
124.03 State License Required

124.01   PURPOSE.

The State of Iowa licenses massage therapists and businesses in Section 152C of the Code of Iowa. State licensed massage therapists and businesses offering therapy services perform an important service in addressing the health and wellbeing of Waukee’s residents. Unfortunately, there are businesses that advertise they provide massage therapy and/or therapeutic services, but actually engage in various illegal activities, which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. This chapter is not intended to discourage a legitimately licensed massage therapist or massage therapy business from providing their/its services in the City.

The purpose of this chapter is to identify and address business that engage in the practice of massage therapy without a license and/or are involved in illegal activities, which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. Businesses providing massage therapy yet conducting various types of illegal activity are harmful to the Waukee community and the massage therapy profession.

124.02 DEFINITIONS.

In addition to, or in place of the definitions included in Code of Iowa Chapter 152C.1, and for the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this chapter.

1.   “Massage therapist” shall mean a person licensed by the State to practice the health care service of the healing art of massage therapy, practicing in the City.

2.   “Massage therapy business(s)” shall mean any place of business wherein any person(s) administer, practice, use, give, or apply massage therapy.

124.03 STATE LICENSE REQUIRED.

The practice of massage therapy, as defined in Section 152C of the Code of Iowa is prohibited by unlicensed individuals. It is unlawful for a person to engage in or offer to engage in the practice of massage therapy, or use in connection with the person’s name, the initials “L.M.T.” or the words “licensed massage therapist,” “massage therapist,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” or any other word or title that implies or represents that the person(s) practice massage therapy, unless the person possesses a license issued under the provision of Section 152C.3 of the Code of Iowa.

124.04 DISPLAY OF LICENSE.

Each massage therapist shall keep their license in possession at all times while doing business in the City and shall, upon the request of prospective customers or City officials, exhibit the license as evidence of compliance with all requirements of this chapter.