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Form a Business

MASSAGE SHOPS

Kansas City Code ch. 42, art. III
in effect

Kansas City Code § 42-121 Apprentices.

Sec. 42-121. - Apprentices. Licensed massage shop operators may employ persons desiring to apprentice at such establishment to become permitted massagists, masseurs or masseuses under the provisions of this chapter under the following requirements: (1) Each apprentice applicant must be of the age 18 years or older. (2) Each such applicant, prior to becoming employed in a massage shop, must obtain an employee permit marked "Massage Apprentice" approved by the bureau of liquor control. Such permit shall not be renewable unless there exist extenuating circumstances as defined in the regulations promulgated by the supervisor of liquor control. (3) Each apprentice, before becoming qualified to take the examination to become a massagist, masseur or masseuse, shall have completed at least 1,000 clock hours of instruction and practice in massage work and the use of therapy equipment and supplies utilized in body massage under the strict supervision of a licensed or permitted massagist, masseur or masseuse. The licensee employing the apprentice shall verify in good faith, in writing, on a form furnished by the bureau of liquor control, to such bureau, as a condition precedent to taking the examination, that the apprentice has fulfilled all the requirements of this subsection. (4) The number of apprentices in any licensed massage shop shall be limited to not more than three to each permitted massagist, masseur or masseuse employed in such establishment. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 8.20; Ord. No. 47656, 5-6-77; Ord. No. 60613, 4-3-87)

Kansas City Code § 42-122 Facilities and equipment.

Sec. 42-122. - Facilities and equipment. Massage shops, in addition to meeting the requirements of section 42-3, shall also be in conformance with the following minimum requirements: (1) Construction of rooms used for toilets, tubs, steam baths and showers shall be waterproofed with approved waterproofing materials and shall be installed in accordance with the city's building code. Plumbing fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the city's plumbing code. a. Steam rooms and shower compartments shall have waterproof floors, walls and ceilings approved by the city building inspectors. b. Floors of wet and dry heat rooms shall be adequately pitched to one or more floor drains properly connected to a sewer, except that dry heat rooms with wooden floors need not be provided with pitched floors and floor drains. c. A source of hot water must be available within the immediate vicinity of dry and wet heat rooms to facilitate cleaning. (2) The premises shall have adequate equipment for disinfecting and sterilizing nondisposable instruments and materials used in administering massage. Such nondisposable instruments and materials shall be disinfected after use on each patron. (3) Closed cabinets shall be provided for the storage of clean linen and towels and other materials used in connection with administering massages. All soiled linens, towels and other materials shall be kept in properly covered containers or cabinets, which containers and cabinets shall be kept separate from the clean storage areas. (4) Toilet facilities shall be provided in convenient locations in accordance with the city's building and health codes and regulations. Toilets shall be designated as to the sex accommodated therein. (5) Lavatories and washbasins provided with both hot and cold running water shall be installed either in the toilet room or a vestibule. Lavatories and washbasins shall be provided with soap and a dispenser and with sanitary towels. (6) All electrical equipment shall be installed in compliance with the city's electrical code. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 8.21; Ord. No. 47656, 5-6-77)

Kansas City Code § 42-123 Exemptions from chapter.

Sec. 42-123. - Exemptions from chapter. The provisions of this chapter and of this article required of massage shops shall not apply to the following individuals while engaged in the personal performance of the duties of their respective professions: (1) Physicians, surgeons, osteopaths, chiropractors or physical therapists who are licensed by the state. (2) Nurses who are licensed by the laws of this state. (3) Barbers and beauticians who are licensed by this state, except that this exemption shall apply solely to the massaging the neck, face, scalp and hair of the patron or client for cosmetic or beautifying purposes. (4) Athletic trainers for amateur, semi-professional or professional athletic organizations. (5) Persons who are certified or licensed by structural integration institutes such as the Rolf Institute of Boulder, Colorado. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 8.22; Ord. No. 47656, 5-6-77; Ord. No. 51558, 5-22-80)
Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Zoning and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORKAMIVOII_CH42MASHNUMOSTBOPAAR_ARTIIIMASHFetched: 10/28/2026

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