Town of Richmond Hill Licensing Requirements:

As provided for in the Municipal Act, the Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario, has enacted a bylaw to regulate the body-rub parlours. However, Complementary Health Care Service Providers are exempted from the licensing requirements provided that certain requirements are met. 

OCR is applauding the Town of Richmond Hill for recognizing complementary health care providers as a valid profession without requiring them to be licensed as did the City of Toronto which is only an income-producing scheme.

The following is a summary of the requirements of reflexologists in order to be exempted from the by-law:

• Exemptions - health care services provided by a complementary health care service provider in accordance with the conditions as set in Schedule A. (834.3.25)
• Window required - every room shall be equipped with a window to permit observation by third parties from outside. (834.5.7)
• Hours of operation - hours of operation shall be between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm. (834.6.1)
• Exemptions are granted:
  • if services provided do not involve adult entertainment service and are not offered within the same premises
  • if services are health care services provided in accordance with the procedures, practices and ethics of a recognized complementary health care organization.
• Qualifications of health care provider: demonstration of the academic qualifications of a complementary health care service provider by proof of successful completion of a course.
• Qualifications of health care organization or institution: the organization or institution shall apply to be recognized.
• Posting of notice: every health care provider shall maintain a notice received from the Licensing Officer in a location near the entrance to the premises, and shall produce it to any official requesting same.
• Notice of information change: every health care provider and organization shall notify the Licensing Officer of any changes.
• Renewals: Every health care provider shall file with the Licensing officer, on or before the anniversary date of the first filing in every year, a notice confirming all of the information in the documentation filed to that date, still to be true, or providing an update

We have enclosed below, links for the complete text of the bylaw for your information.