NAICS 2022 Update
With AMTA input, the NAICS 2022 update includes changing the term "massage parlors" to "massage wellness centers."
In a huge win for the profession, the archaic term “massage parlor” will no longer be used in the 2022 update of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). NAICS is the standard used by federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
On December 21, 2021, the Federal Register published a notice of NAICS 2022 final decisions, with the latest NAICS updates, which took effect on January 1, 2022.
AMTA took an active role in sharing feedback last year on the NAICS 2022 update on behalf of the massage therapy profession. In particular, we expressed support to maintain that massage therapy provided as an integrative health therapy should remain under the large umbrella of Other Health Practitioners (NAICS code 621399). AMTA also strongly encouraged NAICS to eliminate the term "massage parlor" for non-medical massages under code 812199.
It’s an important step forward for the profession that recommendations by AMTA and other massage therapists have been adopted. The EPCP agreed with AMTA’s proposal to continue to classify establishments which primarily provide massage therapy services under NAICS 621399, Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners. The ECPC also agreed to eliminate the references to massage parlors for NAICS 81299 and to replace these references with massage wellness spas/centers under the same code.
For any questions regarding the NAICS 2022 Update and how it affects the massage therapy profession, we encourage you to reach out to AMTA’s Government Relations Team.