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Business License?

I have a few questions that I probably learned in school, but can't remember right now...I am a new therapist at a chiro office but want to also do massage on the side on my own. I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything illegal that will get me in trouble. What are the boundaries with needing a business license? I have a client that is wanting me to do massages for a spa party for her and some of her friends at her house. I'm thinking thats ok? Also I want to get my own business cards and reserve the name I have in mind. Any thoughts?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Christensen on August 31, 2011 at 8:51am

you need a business license to work in your city. You will have to call locally to find out more. In Albuquerque NM we have to have a license in every city we work. even if its touching Albuquerque.

through Go Daddy you can reserve your name and through your local license it will hold your name. You can get nice business cards at VistaPrints for a great price. In NM we have to have our license # on our business cards. Hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on August 31, 2011 at 9:01am

A business name is registered by filing a D.B.A. (doing business as) through a newspaper or agency. You can do it online. As for GoDaddy.com that is a domain registration for a URL to use for a website. You can use ABMPs free webpage instead of going to all the hassles. What is required to use a business name is dba registration. For a Spa party you don't need to go through the expense and hassle of registration but if you will register a dba or have a visable business (many cities require each professional to have a license in doctor, chiropractic, acupuncture or massage offices.

Permalink Reply by Rachel Tamagni on August 31, 2011 at 10:29am

If you are an employee of the Chiropractic office you do not need a business license to work there. To do any work on your own as a sole proprietor or independent contractor you do need a business license. In California the number of hours of education you have dictates the requirements of obtaining a business license, unless you are certified by the State. In which case you only need 250 hours of verifiable education. If you operate under your name you do not need a DBA, however if you call yourself something else, ie Helping Hands, you do need a DBA. You can check on the internet to make certain no one else in your area has a similar name.

Permalink Reply by Trina Throckmorton on August 31, 2011 at 5:01pm

Ok. Thanks so much for all the info guys! :) I might have more questions a little later, but I'm good for now :)