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TDLR Revokes Dozens of Licenses, Including Lifetime Bans for Some in Massage Industry

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Complete online database of revoked licenses and TDLR administrative penalties available

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) maintains a database of all violations that resulted in administrative orders during the past two years – including penalties and license revocations and suspensions, as well as people who have been issued cease and desist orders because of unlicensed activity

Since the beginning of the year, TDLR has revoked 110 licenses, affecting a range of professions from massage establishments to tow truck companies and barbers to ensure that consumers are protected from licensees who did not have their clients’ health and safety as a top priority. During that same time, TDLR also issued more than $113,000 in administrative penalties.

TDLR cares about consumer health and safety, and the department maintains an active inspection and enforcement program to ensure that licensees provide safe and reliable services. TDLR urges consumers to check whether service providers have the appropriate license and to report service providers who perform unsafe or shoddy work.

Most licensees are happy to provide their license number. If they are reluctant to share it with you, you may want to find another service provider who is willing to validate they are licensed.

Report unlicensed activity or file a complaint.

License revocations by program:

Massage Therapy Revocations

  • A massage establishment owner with establishments in several Texas cities including Midland, Cleburne, Amarillo and Lubbock, is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in Burleson is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas and ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $10,500.
  • A massage establishment owner in El Paso is banned for life from the massage industry in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in New Braunfels is banned for life from the massage industry in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in Round Rock is banned for life from the massage industry in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in San Antonio is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in Corpus Christi is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner with establishments in Garland and Fort Worth is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas.
  • A massage establishment owner in San Antonio is banned for life from the massage industry as an establishment owner or massage therapist in Texas.
  • A massage establishment license in Burleson was permanently revoked. If they open another establishment anywhere in Texas, the former license holder must not hire unlicensed massage therapists or allow any massage therapists to engage in sexual contact with clients. The owner also must provide human trafficking awareness training annually to all of their employees.
  • An Austin massage establishment owner’s license was revoked and the owner ordered to pay $16,000 in administrative penalties.
  • A massage establishment license in Houston was revoked and an administrative penalty of $8,000 was assessed.
  • A massage establishment’s license in San Antonio was suspended for two months and the operator ordered to pay $5,000 in administrative penalties.
  • A massage establishment license in Austin was revoked and an administrative penalty of $3,750 assessed.

Towing Revocations

  • A tow company license in Houston was ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $18,000.
  • A tow company license in Hutchins was ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $18,000.

Barbering and Cosmetology Revocations

  • A manicure school in Tyler also was ordered to pay a $15,500 administrative penalty.
  • An esthetician establishment in El Paso also was ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $6,000.
  • An esthetician specialty establishment in Houston also was ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $5,000.
  • A manicurist in Schertz had their license suspended for six months (probated) and ordered to pay a $2,500 administrative penalty.

Combative Sports

  • A combative sports contestant was ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $500.

Cease and Desist Orders

  • The most recent cease and desist orders include three orders issued against unlicensed massage therapists in Arlington, Austin, McAllen and Pearland; and an order against an unlicensed cosmetology establishment and cosmetologist.

About TDLR

TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 38 business and occupational licensing programs with almost 1,000,000 licensees across the state.

Visit TDLR’s website for more information and resources. You can search the TDLR licensee database, and also find past violations in which a final order was issued against companies or individuals. TDLR’s Customer Service line is available anytime between 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1-800-803-9202. TDLR representatives are fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

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