In this guide · 8 sections
- 01Do you need a massage establishment licence?
- 02Licence categories, fees and locations
- 03What your website and ads must avoid
- 04CaseTrust, prepaid packages and cooling-off
- 05Online booking, deposits and no-shows
- 06Google profile, reviews and local search
- 07Do it yourself or get help?
- 08Frequently asked questions
Short answer
If you provide massage in your premises, you need an SPF Massage Establishment licence or an exemption before you open or advertise. Category I licensees must be CaseTrust-accredited. Show only licensed services on your site, state package terms clearly and take deposits through a booking system.
Do you need a massage establishment licence?
The Police's Massage Establishment Licence page says a licence is required if any premises is used, or intended to be used, for the reception or treatment of people seeking massage, unless exempted. The Act defines massage broadly: rubbing, kneading or manipulating the body, with or without hand-held equipment, to relax muscle tension, stimulate circulation, increase suppleness or otherwise.
A licence is not needed for manicure, pedicure, light, electric or vapour treatments, or baths, provided no massage is involved. A nail salon or facial bar that adds a hand or shoulder massage is no longer outside the rules.
Exemptions
The Massage Establishments (Exemption) Order 2018 exempts certain premises, including licensed healthcare premises, premises where massage is given only by specified registered persons, massage only to the head or scalp, massage only to children under 12, and premises where massage is given in full public view under set conditions. Exempted operators can notify the Police through GoBusiness.
Licence categories, fees and locations
The SPF page sets out the main categories and fees (as of October 2026):
| Category I | Category II | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | HDB shophouses, shopping centres and hotels, with URA or HDB land use approval | Generally away from homes, schools and places of worship, and not in HDB premises |
| Minimum floor area | At least 100 m² | At least 50 m² |
| CaseTrust accreditation | Required | Not required |
| Therapists | Only certificates recognised by the Police count | Only certificates recognised by the Police count |
| First licence | One-year provisional licence first | One-year provisional licence first |
The Police also warn that sunk costs such as renovation or rent are not grounds for granting a licence, and list areas where new licences are unlikely, including Geylang, Joo Chiat, Little India and several specific buildings. Get the licence or exemption confirmed before signing a lease or launching a website that takes bookings.
What your website and ads must avoid
Section 5 of the Massage Establishments Act 2017 makes it an offence to carry on massage services in premises without a licence, and also to advertise or hold out that you do. The Act's definition of advertise covers spoken words, printed or written material and any other medium, so websites, Google profiles, social media and marketplace listings all count.
Safe website copy
- Services listed match what your licence or exemption allows
- Licence number and business name shown in the footer
- Clear treatment descriptions, durations and prices
- Therapist profiles that describe training and treatments
Copy that causes trouble
- Advertising massage before the licence is issued
- Suggestive wording, photos or private-room language
- Listing massage at an outlet that only has a nail or facial licence
- Prices without package terms or extra charges
Showing your licence number on the website is not a stated legal requirement, but it reassures customers and platforms. If you run several outlets, list which services are offered at which address, since licences are tied to premises and are not transferable.
CaseTrust, prepaid packages and cooling-off
Category I licensees must hold CaseTrust accreditation from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). The government described the CaseTrust for Spa and Wellness scheme, when it launched, as giving customers a cooling-off period of at least five working days to seek a full refund on packages, and banning sales pitches during treatment. CaseTrust-accredited spas also commit to protecting customers' prepaid package balances; check CASE's current criteria for how that protection must be set up.
Even if CaseTrust is not required for your category, the same practices make packages easier to sell online and reduce complaints:
Prepaid package terms
The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act also prohibits unfair practices such as misleading claims and undue pressure. The prepaid package model has drawn consumer complaints across beauty and fitness in 2026, so modest packages with clear terms are the safer choice.
Online booking, deposits and no-shows
A booking system cuts phone tag and no-shows. For a spa, configure it around therapists, rooms and treatment lengths.
List treatments with duration and buffer time
Include changeover time so rooms and therapists are not double-booked.
Assign therapists and rooms
Customers can choose a therapist or any available one; the system blocks the right room for each treatment.
Take a deposit for longer or peak bookings
A deposit by card or PayNow at booking reduces no-shows. State whether it is refundable and the cancellation cut-off.
Send reminders
Email or SMS reminders a day before, with a reschedule link, prevent most no-shows.
Sell packages online carefully
If you sell packages through the site, show the full terms and cooling-off before payment, and email them with the receipt.
Collect only the data you need
Name, contact number and relevant health notes for the treatment. Do not ask for NRIC numbers to book.
Our guide to online booking systems for clinics and salons compares tools and deposit options, and our guide to class packs and expiry rules for studios covers credit systems that also suit treatment packages.
Google profile, reviews and local search
Most spa customers find you on Google Maps. Make sure the business category and services on your Google Business Profile match what you are licensed to provide, the address matches the licensed premises, and opening hours fit any licence conditions. Our Google Business Profile setup guide walks through verification and categories.
Do not buy or invent reviews. CCS took action against 45 businesses and a fake review provider in September 2026, and fake reviews are an unfair practice. Ask real customers for reviews after their visit instead, with a link in the follow-up message.
Do it yourself or get help?
The licence application, CaseTrust and land use approvals are yours to handle with the Police, CASE and URA or HDB. The website and booking side can be set up once you know exactly which services you are allowed to offer at each outlet.
Our Business Website (S$1,490) builds a fast site of up to six pages with your services, prices and a Google profile link. Online Booking System (S$390) sets up bookings with staff, deposits or full payment and reminders, and Online Payment Setup (S$290) adds PayNow and card payments for deposits and packages, all in your name.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if it provides massage in its premises, unless an exemption applies. The Police's Massage Establishment Licence page says a licence is needed for premises used for people seeking massage. Treatments like manicures, pedicures, light or vapour treatments and baths without massage do not need one.
No. The Massage Establishments Act 2017 makes it an offence to advertise or hold out that you provide massage services in premises without a valid licence. Advertising covers websites, social media and any other medium, so publish massage services only once the licence or exemption is in place.
According to the SPF licence page as of October 2026, a new Massage Establishment licence costs S$290 for one year, S$440 for two years and S$590 for three years, non-refundable. New Category I and II licensees start with a one-year provisional licence, and Category I also requires CaseTrust accreditation.
There is no general legal cooling-off for packages bought at a spa counter. Category I licensees must be CaseTrust-accredited, and the CaseTrust for Spa and Wellness scheme gives customers a cooling-off period of at least five working days to seek a full refund on packages. Many non-accredited spas offer one voluntarily to build trust.
The Massage Establishments (Exemption) Order 2018 exempts certain premises, including licensed healthcare premises, massage only by specified registered persons, massage only to the head or scalp, massage only for children under 12, and open-concept premises in full public view under conditions. The Police announced that open-concept venues will need a Category 3 licence after 2026 changes.