Oshkosh considers requiring licenses for massage therapists

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— The City of Oshkosh may require massage and bodywork therapists operating in the municipality to be licensed. The proposal received its first reading in the June 10th Common Council meeting.

The ordinance would amend the city’s municipal code to require massage and bodywork therapy businesses to be licensed according to Wisconsin law. 

In his memo to the council, Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith said, “The City of Oshkosh, through past investigations, has found that some massage businesses have engaged in suspected Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Labor Trafficking and licensing violations.”

The ordinance will prohibit individuals from practicing or advertising as massage therapists without appropriate licenses and forbids contracting an individual without proper licensing for massage services.

The ordinance sets penalties of not less than $300 and not more than $1000 plus court fees for adult violations, and not less than $150 and not more than $1000 plus court costs for juvenile offenses. 

Green Bay recently marked one year since requiring massage establishments to be licensed with the city. The Oshkosh ordinance doesn’t call for a city license. Smith said in his memo that the ordinance prioritizes compliance over revenue generation. 

The Common Council will vote on the ordinance at its next meeting on June 24th.