Revised Licensing Framework for Massage Establishments

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How do I apply for a Category (Cat) I or Cat II massage establishment (ME) licence?
A1 You can apply for a ME licence via the electronic service provided at https://licences.business.gov.sg. With effect from 1 June 2009, to be eligible for a Cat I ME licence, you are required to obtain CaseTrust accreditation and to meet the other revised licensing criteria.
   
Q2 What are the new Cat I and Cat II ME licensing criteria?
A2 For the revised set of licensing criteria, please refer to Annex A for Cat I ME and Annex B for Cat II ME.
   
Q3 What are the differences between a Cat I and Cat II ME licence?
A3 Unlike Cat II MEs, Cat I MEs could be granted more liberal business conditions such as:
  1. Unrestricted operating hours;
  2. Serving of alcohol;
  3. Admission of customers regardless of their age;
  4. Operating within HDB neighbourhood centres; and
  5. Employment of foreign masseuses/ therapists.
   
Q4 How do I employ foreign masseuses/therapists?
A4 To employ foreign masseuses/therapists, you are required to obtain S pass for your employees. There is no source restriction i.e. they can be from any country but the number of S Pass holders a company can employ is capped at a sub-quota, or Dependency Ceiling, of 25% of the company’s total workforce. For S pass application details and requirements, please refer to http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/work_pass/s_pass.html

The Spa and Wellness Academy renders assistance to companies in the recruiting and training of local and foreign masseuses/therapists via a network of agents in many countries to source for suitable candidates.

To know more, contact us at:
Tel: 6297 7028
Website: www.spawellness.com.sg
 Email: academy@spawellness.com.sg
   
Q5 What is the name of the CaseTrust’s accreditation scheme?
A5 The accreditation will be known as “Accreditation for Spa and Wellness Businesses”.
   
Q6 What is the scope of CaseTrust’s accreditation scheme?
A6

CaseTrust’s Accreditation scheme includes the assessment of good business
practices such as transparent company policies, feedback management, dispute resolution etc. The scheme consists of criteria which cover Policies, Communication, Personnel and Practices & Systems.
   
Q7 When can I submit my application to CaseTrust to accredit my ME?
A7 CaseTrust will be ready to accept application for accreditation from May 2009.
   
Q8 How soon can CaseTrust accredit a ME?
A8 CaseTrust will typically take 1 – 3 months to accredit a ME, depending on the status of its business operations and whether further corrective action is necessary.
   
Q9 How long will the CaseTrust accreditation be valid?
A9 Once CaseTrust accredits a ME, the accreditation is valid for a period of 2 years subjected to a clean record, i.e. no complaints or detected errant behaviour. CaseTrust reserves the right to relinquish the accreditation certification should there be substantiated complaints or errant behaviour. Should the accreditation of a Cat I ME be revoked by CaseTrust, Police Licensing Division will proceed to downgrade the Cat I ME licence to a Cat II ME licence or to revoke the Cat I ME licence accordingly.
   
Q10 What is the cost of obtaining CaseTrust accreditation?
A10 The cost of obtaining CaseTrust accreditation is as follows:
Entrance Fee
$500
Assesment Fee Comments
i) 1st outlet: $800 Assessments will be conducted at least once in every 2 years
ii) Subsequent Outlets: $600 / outlet under same trade name and legal entity Mystery shopping will be conducted at least once every year per outlet under same trade name and legal entity
Annual Membership Fee  
1st outlet: $360
Subsequent Outlets: $180 / outlet under same trade name and legal entity
   
Q11 How can I apply for CaseTrust accreditation?
A11 The Spa and Wellness Academy offers advisory and consultation services to assist companies in obtaining Case Trust accreditation at a nominal fee starting from S$2000.

For more information, contact us at:
Tel: 6297 7028
Website: www.spawellness.com.sg
Email: academy@spawellness.com.sg
   
Q12 When I renew my Cat 1 ME licence, must the CaseTrust accreditation be valid for the entire period of the renewed Cat 1 ME licence validity?
A12 At the point of Category 1 ME licence renewal, you are required to show proof that your CaseTrust accreditation is valid and is able to cover the period of renewed licence. However, if the remaining accreditation period covers only part of the period of renewed licence, you must show proof (at the point of renewal) that you have taken steps to apply for re-certification by CaseTrust and to submit the renewed accreditation certificate covering the remaining period of licence once obtained without delay.
   
Q13 Is the current list of certifications for masseuses/therapists still recognised by the Police Licensing Division for meeting the requirement of certified masseuses/therapists from 1 June 2009 onwards?
A13 Yes, the current list of certifications together with Workforce Development Agency’s (WDA) Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) for the Spa sector will continue to be recognised by the Police Licensing Division.
   
Q14 What are the professional qualifications for masseuses/therapists recognised by the Police Licensing Division for meeting the requirement of certified masseuses/therapists from 1 June 2009 onwards?
A14 The professional qualifications are:
  1. Comite International D’esthetique Et de Cosmetologie (CIDESCO) International Beauty Diploma;
  2. Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) Aesthetic Diploma for Face;
  3. CIBTAC Body Massage Diploma and CIBTAC Anatomy & Physiology Diploma;
  4. CIBTAC Spa Therapy Diploma;
  5. International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) Beauty Specialist Diploma [previously known as Aestheticienne Diploma (Facial Therapy)];
  6. ITEC Holistic Massage Diploma [previously known as Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology and Massage];
  7. National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) Skills Standards Package 1
    1. Provide full-body massage with oil;
    2. Provide full-body massage without oil;
    3. Perform manicure/pedicure; and
    4. Perform face treatment.
  8. NSRS Skills Standards Package 2
    1. Perform manicure/pedicure;
    2. Perform face treatment;
    3. Provide full body-massage without oil; and
    4. Perform Swedish massage.
  9. National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Spa and Aesthetic Therapy; or
  10. WSQ for the Spa Sector (which includes MEs) under the Tourism WSQ Framework.
   
Q15 How does my employee who is working as a masseuse/therapist attain qualifications to be recognised as a certified masseuse/therapist?
A15 Under Tourism WSQ for the Spa sector, WDA awards WSQ Certificate in Spa Services for the following categories:

Category Category-specific Modules Core Modules Duration
Spa Therapy
  1. Provide Body Scrub & Wrap
  2. Provide Facial Treatment
  3. Provide Full-Body Massage with Oil
  4. Provide Full-Body Massage without Oil
  1. Interact with Guests
  2. Work Safely
  3. Provide Safety & Security for Guests
 235 hours
Beauty
  1. Provide Basic Make-up
  2. Provide Face & Body Waxing
  3. Provide Facial Treatment
  4. Provide Manicure & Pedicure
 210 hours
Body Theraphy
  1. Provide Body Scrub & Wrap
  2. Provide Hand & Foot Reflexology
  3. Provide Seated Chair Massage
  4. Provide Swedish Massage
 201 hours

All modules within a selected category must be completed in order to be a certified masseuse/therapist. The Course Fee for each certificate is S$5885.

You may also complete either of the ITEC Diploma course to be a certified masseuse/therapist:
ITEC Diploma Duration Course Fee
Holistic Massage 150 hours S$1835
Beauty Specialist 300 hours S$3668

The Spa and Wellness Academy offers various courses to assist masseuses/therapists in getting certified. All our courses are also approved for Skills Development Fund (SDF) and Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP) funding of up to 90%.

You may contact us at:
Tel: 6297 7028
Website: www.spawellness.com.sg
Email: academy@spawellness.com.sg
   
Q16 Is government funding available?
A16 Funding is available through SDF and SRP for up to 90% of the course fee. Do note that funding is only applicable to company-sponsored employees who are either Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents. Please refer to www.sdf.gov.sg and www.srp.org.sg for more details.
   
Q17 What is the cost of obtaining either a Cat 1 or Cat 2 ME licence?
A17 A Cat 1 or 2 ME licence fee is payable to the Police Licensing Division at S$480 per annum.
   
Q18 How can I obtain more information on Massage Establishment licensing issues?
A18 More information is available on the Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS) website https://licences.business.gov.sg. You can also contact the Police Licensing Division during office hours at Tel: 6835 0000 or email SPF_OPS_Licensing@spf.gov.sg.

All information provided is accurate at time of publishing on 30 April 2009 and is subjected to changes. Please contact us at 6297 7028 or email academy@spawellness.com.sg