Council to weigh new licensing procedure for massage therapists

Diana Sahagun

Tuesday, June 18, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Las Vegas massage therapists would be subject to strict background checks and be under the watchful eye of the city's business licensing division, according to a new bill being introduced this week.

The proposal comes months after the Las Vegas City Council halted all new massage establishments, citing concerns with the proliferation of the businesses and claims by Metro Police that some are fronts for prostitution. The moratorium ends in August.

The new bill would put the licensing of all massage establishments in the hands of the city by requiring massage therapists, accupressurists and reflexologists to obtain a business license, rather than the typical work card issued by Metro Police.

Jim DiFiore, the city's business licensing director, said the bill would give the city more oversight of its businesses and employees. By requiring people in the massage industry to obtain a business license, applicants would go through a more extensive background check compared to a local background check issued by Metro Police, he said.

The bill also gives the business license director authority to approve or deny a massage therapist license. Currently, the department is not involved in the process.

If the bill is approved, a current massage therapist can continue working under the work card requirements until Oct. 1. After that date massage therapists must obtain a business license. The semiannual license fee is $75.

The ordinance, which will be introduced at Wednesday's council meeting, will be submitted to a city committee for review and a public hearing. The committee will forward a recommendation to the council, which will vote on the ordinance.