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A gym's main extra permit comes from the city or municipal health office. Health offices place fitness and aerobic centers with figure slenderizing salons, which the DOH sanitation rules cover. So you need a sanitary permit to operate, plus health certificates for you and all employees, renewed at least yearly. Owners often forget that trainers and front desk staff count as employees.[1,2,3]
Why a gym is treated like a salon
The DOH rules for tonsorial and beauty establishments also cover figure slenderizing salons. Bacolod City, for example, lists fitness and aerobic centers under that group for sanitary permits.[2,3]
Ask your city health office which category it uses for gyms. The name on your sanitary permit application should match it.
Staff health certificates
Under these rules, the operator and every employee must secure a health certificate, renewed at least yearly. Bacolod asks for updated health certificates of all employees with the sanitary permit application.[1,3]
Count everyone: coaches, cleaners, front desk staff and any freelance trainers you pay per session. If a trainer works on your floor, ask for their health certificate on file.
No national gym licence
The national rules cited on this page set no separate licence for gyms or trainers. Your permits come from the barangay, the city and its health office.
Your space still goes through the usual local steps, such as the fire safety inspection. See our fire safety guide and occupancy permit guide.
Questions people ask
- Do personal trainers need a licence?
- The national rules cited on this page set no licence for fitness trainers. Some gyms ask for private certifications, but that is a business choice, not a permit.
- How often do gym staff renew health certificates?
- At least once a year under the DOH rules for these establishments.
- Is a home gym that charges members a business?
- If you charge for use, it is a business open to the public. See our home-based business guide and ask the city health office about the sanitary permit.
Gym opening checklist
- Confirm the health office category for gyms in your city
- List all staff and regular trainers for health certificates
- Set up shower and locker room cleaning schedules
- Plan where sweat towels and wipes go after use
- Check floor load and exits before installing heavy racks
- Write a simple waiver and house rules for members
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter XII, Tonsorial and Beauty Establishments, of P.D. No. 856 · Department of Health (Supreme Court E-Library copy) · 15 December 1997
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter XII, Tonsorial and Beauty Establishments, of P.D. No. 856 · DOH (jur.ph copy) · 15 December 1997
- Sanitary and Non-Sanitary Requirements (New) · City Government of Bacolod · June 2024
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitary permit to operate (PD 856)[1] | Local health office (PD 856) | always | Not published |
| Health certificates for operator and all employees[1] | Local health office (PD 856) | always | Not published |
| Figure slenderizing salons (incl. fitness/aerobic centers) are covered by the tonsorial/beauty IRR[2] | DOH (PD 856 Chapter XII IRR) | always | Not published |
| Fitness and aerobic centers grouped with figure slenderizing salons for sanitary permits[3] | LGU (Bacolod example) | Bacolod City | Not published |
| Sanitary Permit to Operate + updated health certificates of all employees[3] | LGU (Bacolod example) | Bacolod City | Not published |