Martial Arts Laws in New Hampshire: Contracts, Cancellation, Safeguarding and Combat Sports

New Hampshire is one of the few states with a statute written specifically for martial arts schools: RSA 358-S. It requires annual registration with the Attorney General, a $50,000 surety bond unless exempt, a 3 business day cancellation right, a 3-year cap on term contracts, a required month-to-month option, written acceptance of renewals, and pro rata refunds within 15 days for death, disability, long illness, relocation or closure. Violations are unfair or deceptive practices under the Consumer Protection Act, RSA 358-A.

New Hampshire at a glance

A field that reads “none located” means our research did not find a statewide rule. It does not prove that none exists, and local rules may still apply.

Which martial arts businesses does New Hampshire law reach?

RSA 358-S governs martial arts schools. A 'martial arts school' is 'any establishment primarily operated for the purpose of teaching a form or forms of self-defense, such as judo or karate' (RSA 358-S:1). The chapter does not apply to the state or its political subdivisions, to nonprofit religious, ethnic, community or service organizations, or to an establishment that does not have martial arts school services or facilities as one of its primary purposes. Karate, taekwondo, BJJ, Muay Thai, Krav Maga and MMA academies that exist mainly to teach self-defense are covered.

Health clubs are regulated separately under RSA 358-I, which covers salons, spas, exercise clubs, gyms, health studios and weight control centers. A combined gym and martial arts facility should review both chapters. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau administers both and uses one annual registration form for health clubs and martial arts schools.

What are the membership contract rules in New Hampshire?

Every martial arts school must file an annual registration statement with the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau with a $100 fee, and filing more than 90 days late triggers a $1,000 administrative assessment (RSA 358-S:2, I). The school must keep the statement on file for inspection by members and prospects and post its current registration certificate (RSA 358-S:2, II). The Bureau's form asks for a sample contract with the statutory language and a list of membership plans and prices.

A school must post a $50,000 surety bond or equivalent security (RSA 358-S:2, III). The Department must exempt a school that accepts membership fees on a monthly basis only, or that shows its refund liability does not exceed $5,000 (RSA 358-S:2, IV). Fees collected before opening must go into escrow; if opening slips more than 45 days, fees must be refunded with interest, and funds may be released 10 days after opening (RSA 358-S:2, V). RSA 358-S:2 also caps initiation fees by reference to the monthly fee; confirm the exact formula in the statute text.

Contracts must be written, complete, signed and dated, with a copy to the buyer, and must contain the statutory notices, including the cancellation notice (RSA 358-S:3). Schools must keep a list of courses and prices, show it to prospects, and sell only listed courses (RSA 358-S:4). Term contracts may not exceed 3 years, and a buyer may sign for up to 3 years only after at least one year of enrollment (RSA 358-S:5, I). Every school must offer both a month-to-month and a monthly option to new students, disclose that availability in advertising that lists other options, tell the buyer orally and in writing before taking payment, give month-to-month members the same access, and keep the annualized month-to-month price within 25 percent of the matching term price (RSA 358-S:5, II and III).

Cancellation, refunds and automatic renewal in New Hampshire

The buyer may cancel within 3 business days by written notice and receive a full refund (RSA 358-S:3). For term or monthly contracts, the school must refund the pro rata cost of unused services within 15 days of a request if the buyer cannot use the services because of death, disability or illness lasting more than 3 months; if the school relocates more than 8 miles or services are materially impaired; or if the buyer moves more than 25 miles away. The school may require a physician examination agreeable to both sides. Refunds are also due within 15 days after a school stops operating, and the buyer is released from future payments (RSA 358-S:6).

No general New Hampshire automatic renewal statute was located. For martial arts schools, RSA 358-S:5, I does the work: a renewal must be accepted in writing by the buyer, takes effect only on payment, and may not be made more than 90 days before the contract expires. Upgrades under a new agreement are allowed at any time. Health club contracts have a parallel provision titled 'Automatic Renewal Prohibited' in RSA 358-I:5. Any buyer waiver of RSA 358-S rights is void (RSA 358-S:10).

Child safeguarding, abuse reporting and background checks in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's child abuse reporting statute, RSA 169-C:29, requires any person who has reason to suspect abuse or neglect to report it, in addition to listed professionals. This makes every instructor and staff member a mandatory reporter. Reports go to the Division for Children, Youth and Families. We were not able to access the current official text during this research pass, so confirm details on the General Court website.

No New Hampshire statute requiring background checks for private youth sports or martial arts staff was located, but we could not complete official-source checks on this point. Screening is a best practice.

New Hampshire's head injury law for student athletes (RSA 200:49 to 200:52) is directed at schools. Whether any New Hampshire concussion requirement reaches private youth programs was not verified. Adopting a remove-and-clear policy is recommended.

Business registration, tax, workers' compensation and insurance in New Hampshire

Entities register with the Secretary of State's Corporation Division. The only state-level registration located for martial arts schools is the RSA 358-S:2 registration with the Attorney General. Local zoning, occupancy and any municipal licenses are handled by cities and towns.

New Hampshire does not have a general sales tax on goods and services. This was not confirmed with the Department of Revenue Administration in this pass.

No general state requirement to carry liability insurance was located. New Hampshire's workers' compensation law (RSA 281-A) generally requires coverage once an employer has any employee; the current text was not re-verified in this pass.

MMA, kickboxing and combat-sports regulation in New Hampshire

We could not verify the current New Hampshire combat sports statute, the name of the regulating agency, or whether amateur MMA is regulated by the state or through sanctioning bodies, because the official statute and agency websites were not accessible to our research tools. Historically, boxing and wrestling exhibitions have been addressed in RSA chapter 285. Before hosting any event with strikes, contact the New Hampshire Department of Justice or the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to identify the current regulator.

Ordinary classes and in-house sparring with no paying audience are not typically regulated as events, but this was not verified for New Hampshire.

Who enforces these rules in New Hampshire?

Any violation of RSA 358-S is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Consumer Protection Act, RSA 358-A, and the 358-A remedies apply in addition to other remedies (RSA 358-S:9). The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau may seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, injunctions, a receiver or dissolution, according to the Bureau's published guidance.

Consumers may sue privately under RSA 358-A:10 for actual damages, with double or treble damages and attorney fees available in some circumstances. The Attorney General has enforced the registration requirement against a martial arts school through an assurance of discontinuance that required annual registration and a payment in lieu of civil penalty.

Frequently asked questions

Can a martial arts school in New Hampshire sell a multi-year membership?

Only up to 3 years, and a 3-year term only to a student enrolled at least one year (RSA 358-S:5). The school must also offer month-to-month and monthly options.

How can a student cancel a martial arts contract in New Hampshire?

Within 3 business days for a full refund (RSA 358-S:3). Later, a pro rata refund is due within 15 days for death, disability, illness over 3 months, a school move over 8 miles, a student move over 25 miles, or closure (RSA 358-S:6).

Does New Hampshire require background checks for martial arts instructors?

No statute requiring them for private martial arts schools was located, though this was not fully verified. Screening is recommended, and every person in the state must report suspected child abuse under RSA 169-C:29.

Does my MMA gym need a license to hold amateur fights in New Hampshire?

Not verified. We could not confirm the current regulator or its amateur rules. Contact state officials before hosting any event with strikes.

Official sources

1. RSA 358-S, Martial Arts Schools (full chapter) · New Hampshire General Court
2. RSA 358-S:2, Registration, Bond, Escrow · New Hampshire General Court
3. RSA 358-I, Health Clubs (table of contents) · New Hampshire General Court
4. Health Club and Martial Arts School Registration · New Hampshire Department of Justice
5. Health club and martial arts school registration statement · New Hampshire Department of Justice
6. Press release: martial arts academy assurance of discontinuance over registration · New Hampshire Department of Justice