How to get an annual dance school license

Print out and complete the application for an annual dance school license. You'll need to include the following documents with your application:

• an Inspection Certificate and a Certificate of Use and Occupancy showing you’re zoned for a dance school
• a Place of Assembly Permit
• a Business Certificate (which is also known as a d/b/a certificate), and
• articles of Organization of the Corporation.

You'll need to pay a fee to apply for a dance school license. To get an idea of what it costs to apply, you can view a list of common fees.

We take certified checks, money orders, or credit or debit cards.

Bring or mail your completed application, documents, and payment to:

Consumer Affairs and Licensing
1 City Hall Square, Room 817
Boston, MA 02215
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You can only make your payment by mail with a certified check or a money order.

We will let you know about your application in three to four weeks. We may also schedule a hearing with you after getting your application.

The fee for a hearing is $100, and you need to pay it before the date of the hearing.

Both you and the person who runs the dance school (if it's not you) must go to the hearing.

If you need to make changes to your license, you need to file an amendment. This includes changes to your business name, hours, or other changes that affect your license.

Print out and complete the general application to amend your license. Make sure to give us a description of the change and the reason for it.

There are also some other forms you need to fill out if they apply to your situation:

• If  the manager of your business has changed, you need to complete the Change of Manager form. You may need to attend a hearing for this change.
• If the corporate officers of your business have changed, please complete the Change of Corporate Officers form.
• If the name of your business has changed, you need to complete the Change of Name or D/B/A form. You may have to attend a hearing.

To change your license, the application fee is $35. We take certified checks, money orders, or credit or debit cards.

Bring or mail your completed application, documents, and payment to:

Consumer Affairs and Licensing
1 City Hall Square, Room 817
Boston, MA 02215
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You can only make your payment by mail with a certified check or a money order.

We will let you know about your application in three to four weeks. We may also schedule a hearing with you after getting your application.

The fee for a hearing is $100, and you need to pay it before the date of the hearing.

Both you and the person who runs the dance school (if it's not you) must go to the hearing.

We send out renewal notices at the end of March. You will get your notice in the mail. If you don't receive the notice, call us at 617-635-4165.

You have until the end of April to fill out and return your renewal. 

Your renewal packet will include an application for you to complete and return to us. Please follow the instructions carefully. The packet has other documents you need to fill out, including:

• a security staff questionnaire, and
• a wage theft form.

You will need to gather and submit copies of other documents that are not included in the packet, including:

• an Inspection Certificate
• a Place of Assembly permit 
• a Corporate Annual Report

We created a detailed checklist to help you gather your documents. The renewal application fee is $35 in addition to your entertainment fee. We take certified or business checks, money orders, credit cards (No American Express) or debit cards. 

Bring or mail your completed application, documents, and payment to:

Consumer Affairs and Licensing
1 City Hall Square, Room 817
Boston, MA 02215
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You can only make your payment by mail with a certified check or a money order.