Hong Kong Beauty and Massage Establishment Licence Requirements: Which Premises Need One
Find out if your beauty or massage business needs a Hong Kong FEHD licence and what conditions apply.
Hong Kong Beauty and Massage Establishment Licence Requirements
A Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department is not enough to operate a beauty or massage establishment. It is not a trade licence and does not authorise regulated activities. If your business offers massage, sauna, or specified cosmetic procedures, you must apply for a hong kong beauty and massage establishment licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
Beauty Salon Licence Hong Kong
A beauty salon licence hong kong is required where the premises provides treatments involving skin care, hair removal, nail care, or any procedure that could affect the skin's integrity. Not every beauty salon needs an FEHD licence. The critical distinction is whether the treatment involves massage, a sauna or steam bath, or cosmetic procedures that pierce, cut, or abrade the skin.
A salon offering only non-invasive services such as makeup application, hairstyling, or basic facials without massage may not need an FEHD licence. Confirm your specific activity with the FEHD directly or a licensed professional.
The FEHD application form (no standard form code is published for this licence) requires detailed information about the premises layout, the types of treatments offered, and the qualifications of staff performing those treatments.
Massage Establishment Licence Hong Kong
A massage establishment licence hong kong is a separate category under the same regulatory framework. The FEHD regulates these establishments under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). Any premises where massage is offered to the public must hold this licence. This includes standalone massage shops and foot reflexology centres, as well as massage services within a beauty salon.
The definition of "massage" includes any manipulation of the body's soft tissues for therapeutic or relaxation purposes. A 15-minute neck massage offered after a haircut likely triggers the requirement.
Key conditions for a massage establishment licence include separate treatment rooms with adequate ventilation. Only registered massage practitioners or persons with recognised qualifications may perform massage. Operating hours must be stated and adhered to, and the FEHD may impose restrictions on advertising or signage.
Hong Kong FEHD Beauty Licence
The hong kong fehd beauty licence is the permit issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for beauty establishments. The FEHD divides these licences into two categories.
B1 Licence applies to beauty establishments that offer facial and body treatments (including massage), sauna and steam facilities, or cosmetic procedures requiring equipment such as laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), or radiofrequency devices.
B2 Licence applies to beauty establishments that offer only non-invasive treatments: makeup application, basic facials without massage, nail care, or hair removal by threading or waxing (without any skin penetration).
If your beauty establishment offers any massage or sauna service, you fall under the B1 category regardless of other services. The B2 licence is sufficient only for non-invasive treatments.
Licence for Beauty Parlour Hong Kong
A licence for beauty parlour hong kong is often sought by small operators running a single room or a booth within a larger commercial building. The FEHD treats all premises where beauty services are provided as a single entity. If you operate a parlour within a shared space, the entire area must comply with the licence conditions. You cannot rely on another tenant's licence to cover your activities.
The application process includes submission of the FEHD application form (the form number varies depending on the licence type) and payment of the application fee (the fee is not stated here as it changes). A premises inspection by a health inspector from the FEHD is required, as is obtaining a Fire Services Certificate from the Fire Services Department and building plan approval from the Buildings Department.
The FEHD inspects the premises to verify that the layout, drainage, ventilation and hygiene standards meet the required conditions. This inspection occurs after the building plan is approved but before the licence is issued.
Operating Conditions and Inspections
Once granted, the licence binds you to ongoing operating conditions set out in the licence document. These include displaying the licence prominently at the entrance or reception area, maintaining a register of all treatments performed, and keeping the premises clean and free of pests. You must ensure that all electrical equipment is tested and safe, and notify the FEHD of any changes to the premises layout or the types of treatments offered.
The FEHD conducts periodic inspections. A health inspector may visit without prior notice. Breaches can lead to suspension or revocation of the licence. In serious cases, the operator may face prosecution under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
Fire Services Certificate and Building Plan Approval
Before the FEHD issues a licence, the applicant must obtain two approvals.
Fire Services Certificate: This certifies that the premises meet fire safety requirements, including fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and appropriate fire alarm systems. The Fire Services Department (FSD) issues this certificate after inspecting the premises.
Building Plan Approval: The Buildings Department must approve the building plans to confirm that the layout complies with building regulations, including floor load capacity, fire-resistant construction, and accessibility for disabled persons. Any structural alterations, such as partitioning treatment rooms, require prior approval.
Without these two approvals, the FEHD will not process the application. This is a common area where applications are delayed.
Music Licence, Karaoke Licence, and Amusement Game Centre Licence
Many beauty and massage establishments also offer entertainment services. These require separate licences.
Playing recorded music (including background music) in the premises requires a music licence from the relevant copyright society. This is separate from the FEHD licence. Offering karaoke facilities, a room where customers sing along to recorded music, requires a karaoke establishment licence, also regulated by the FEHD. This is a different licence category with its own conditions. Installing any coin-operated game machines requires an amusement game centre licence from the FEHD. This licence imposes strict restrictions on operating hours and the types of games allowed.
Operating a karaoke room or a game machine without the appropriate licence is an offence.
Trade Licence and Business Registration Certificate
A Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department is not a trade licence. It does not authorise any regulated activity. The FEHD licence is a trade licence that specifically permits the operation of a beauty or massage establishment.
Holding a Business Registration Certificate does not exempt you from obtaining the FEHD licence. Holding an FEHD licence does not replace the need for a Business Registration Certificate. Both are required.
Summary of Key Steps
- Determine if your activity requires an FEHD licence: Check whether your services include massage, sauna, or cosmetic procedures.
- Select the correct licence category: B1 for treatments involving massage or sauna; B2 for non-invasive treatments only.
- Obtain building plan approval from the Buildings Department.
- Obtain a Fire Services Certificate from the Fire Services Department.
- Submit the FEHD application form along with supporting documents (building plans, fire certificate, business registration certificate, layout drawings).
- Pass the premises inspection by a health inspector.
- Pay the licence fee (amount not stated here).
- Comply with operating conditions and maintain records.
Do not assume that a simple beauty salon can operate without an FEHD licence if it offers any form of massage or sauna service.
Sources
More on licences & permits.