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

Kentucky's health spa law, KRS 367.900 to 367.930, requires each location to register with the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection and, unless exempt, post a surety bond before selling memberships. It also caps terms at 36 months, mandates specific contract notices, and grants cancellation rights for death, disability, and relocation. Its definition likely reaches martial arts schools that sell fitness-based memberships. Kentucky's automatic renewal law (KRS 365.400 to 365.408) has applied since January 1, 2024, every person is a mandatory child-abuse reporter, and since 2023 the state sales tax has reached athletic instructional services and health spa admissions. The Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission regulates boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA shows.

Kentucky 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 Kentucky law reach?

KRS 367.900(1) defines a 'health spa' as a for-profit establishment providing services or facilities that purport to improve the user's physical condition or appearance through participation in sports activities, fitness training, exercise, or body building. 'Services' include exercise instruction, exercise programs, and instructional classes (KRS 367.900(6)). Nonprofits described in 26 U.S.C. § 509(a) are excluded. Martial arts are not named, but a for-profit school selling memberships for training and conditioning likely fits the definition. A school that believes it is outside the statute should get that view confirmed in writing by counsel or the Attorney General.

A 'contract' includes oral or written agreements to become a member (KRS 367.900(2)). 'Contract price' includes initiation fees, monthly fees, finance charges, and class and training fees, and 'contract term' includes any 'free' or 'bonus' months (KRS 367.900(9), (10)).

What are the membership contract rules in Kentucky?

Before selling any membership, each location must file a registration statement with the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection with a $100 fee, listing owners, facilities, staff qualifications, membership plans and prices, and litigation history, and must provide a surety bond. A new statement and $50 fee are due by July 1 each year (KRS 367.905). Each location is a separate health spa. Prepayments must be held in escrow until the spa has been open 30 days (KRS 367.905(3)).

The bond protects members against insolvency, closure, or failure to open within 90 days. It is $10,000 for 150 or fewer unexpired contracts, $25,000 for 151 to 300, and $50,000 for 301 or more. The Attorney General must exempt a spa from bonding if no initiation or similar nonrecurring fee is charged and no member is ever charged more than 31 days in advance (KRS 367.906). Many month-to-month martial arts schools without enrollment fees can qualify for that exemption, but registration is still required.

Contracts must be in writing, signed, delivered at signing, and state 'NOTICE TO BUYER: DO NOT SIGN THIS CONTRACT UNTIL YOU HAVE READ ALL OF IT. ALSO, DO NOT SIGN THIS CONTRACT IF IT CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES.' in 10-point bold (KRS 367.910(1), (2)). Terms and payment periods may not exceed 36 months, and no term may be for life (KRS 367.911). Spas must show prospective buyers a list of all plans and prices and may sell only listed plans (KRS 367.915). Specials must be in writing and available to all prospects, and misrepresentations about staff, facilities, results, membership rights, or offer deadlines are prohibited (KRS 367.920). Noncomplying contracts are void and unenforceable, and waivers are void (KRS 367.912).

Cancellation, refunds and automatic renewal in Kentucky

Buyers may cancel within 3 business days by written notice delivered or mailed by midnight of the third business day after purchase, with a full refund (KRS 367.910(3)). Later cancellation with a prorated refund (contract price divided by weeks in the term, times weeks remaining) is allowed if death or medical disability prevents use of a substantial portion of the services for 30 or more consecutive days; if the spa relocates more than 5 miles; or if the member moves 25 miles or more and the spa cannot provide comparable services within 5 miles of the new home. If the spa fails to open within 90 days, becomes insolvent, or closes, all contracts are cancelled and refunds are owed without notice (KRS 367.910(4)). These later notices go by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personal delivery, and refunds are due within 30 days. Linked credit agreements must also be cancelled (KRS 367.910(5), (6)). The exact consumer notice text in KRS 367.910(7) must appear in 10-point bold.

Kentucky's automatic renewal law, KRS 365.400 to 365.408, applies to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2024 for paid subscriptions or memberships that renew for terms of more than one month or continue indefinitely. A business must present the offer terms clearly and conspicuously near the consent request, get the consumer's affirmative consent before charging, and send a retainable acknowledgment with the terms, cancellation policy, and how to cancel (KRS 365.402(1)). It must offer a toll-free number, email, postal address, or other easy cancellation method; consumers who sign up online must be able to cancel exclusively online; and material changes require clear notice (KRS 365.402(2)-(4)).

For a first violation, the business must give a prorated refund from the start of the most recent term. If it fails to do so, or for later violations, the Attorney General may seek an injunction, restitution, and penalties up to $500 per violation (KRS 365.406).

Child safeguarding, abuse reporting and background checks in Kentucky

Kentucky is a universal reporting state. KRS 620.030(1) requires any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe a child is dependent, neglected, or abused to report immediately to local law enforcement, Kentucky State Police, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Commonwealth's attorney, or the county attorney. Listed professionals must also notify their supervisor (KRS 620.030(2)). Intentional failure to report is a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense, rising to a Class D felony for repeat offenses (KRS 620.030(9)).

KRS 17.165(5) requires each employer of an applicant for initial employment in a position involving care and supervision of a minor 'as a child-serving professional' to request the applicant's conviction information before hiring, and bars employing people with listed violent, sex, or child-victim offenses or substantiated abuse findings. We did not verify the definition of 'child-serving professional' or whether it reaches private martial arts instructors. KRS 17.160 separately lets certain organizations obtain conviction records for staff and volunteers with supervisory power over minors. Running checks on all staff and volunteers who work with children is strongly recommended.

Kentucky's concussion and sports safety law, KRS 160.445, applies to interscholastic athletics: coaches' safety and concussion training, removal from play, and evaluation by a physician or qualified licensed provider before return. It does not reach private martial arts schools, but its protocol is a good model.

Business registration, tax, workers' compensation and insurance in Kentucky

Businesses register with the Kentucky Secretary of State. Martial arts schools that are health spas must also register each location with the Attorney General under KRS 367.905. Local business licenses, occupational license taxes, zoning, and occupancy are local matters.

Sales tax: KRS 139.200(2)(ak) imposes sales tax on 'leisure, recreational, and athletic instructional services', and KRS 139.200(2)(am) on personal fitness training. KRS 139.010(1) defines taxable 'admissions' to include fees for the privilege of using facilities or participating in an activity, expressly including health spas. Martial arts tuition and memberships therefore appear taxable unless an exemption applies. We did not review Department of Revenue guidance on these categories, so confirm your treatment with the Department or a tax adviser.

We found no general state mandate for liability insurance. KRS 342.630 makes any employer with one or more employees in Kentucky (other than one engaged solely in agriculture) subject to the workers' compensation law, and KRS 342.340 requires covered employers to insure or qualify to self-insure.

MMA, kickboxing and combat-sports regulation in Kentucky

The Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission (https://kbwc.ky.gov/) has sole direction and jurisdiction over unarmed combat shows held for prizes or purses or where admission, a donation, a ticket, or an invitation is required (KRS 229.171). Under KRS 229.011, as amended effective June 27, 2025, 'mixed martial arts' means an unarmed contest or exhibition where participants compete for money, a prize, or pecuniary gain, or for which admission is charged. The definition excludes exhibitions judged on form and style where punches and kicks are pulled, so traditional point and forms competitions are outside it. Kickboxing and Muay Thai are separately defined, and 'unarmed combat' includes sparring under the commission's jurisdiction.

No one may conduct or advertise a show without a promoter license, and promoters must post a $10,000 bond (KRS 229.035). Contestants in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA shows must be examined by a commission-appointed physician (KRS 229.111). Under KRS 229.045, USA Boxing is the only sanctioning body recognized to conduct combat sports not covered by the chapter, and all other sanctioning bodies must be nonprofit, apply for commission recognition, and notify the commission of exhibitions for its calendar. KRS 229.061 lets the commission issue fee-free permits to schools, YMCAs, and similar organizations for shows between their own bona fide students or members.

Amateur MMA is therefore handled through commission-recognized nonprofit sanctioning bodies, with commission jurisdiction over shows with admission or prizes. We found no license requirement for ordinary classes. Ask the commission before holding an in-house sparring night or smoker that the public can attend.

Who enforces these rules in Kentucky?

The Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection (https://ag.ky.gov/Resources/Consumer-Resources/Pages/default.aspx) administers health spa registration and enforces the Consumer Protection Act, KRS 367.110 to 367.300, which prohibits unfair, false, misleading, or deceptive acts (KRS 367.170). The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Act powers apply equally to health spa violations (KRS 367.925).

KRS 367.930 gives health spa buyers a private right of action for actual damages, equitable relief, possible punitive damages, and attorney fees and costs, within one year after any Attorney General action ends or two years after discovery, whichever is later. KRS 367.220 provides a general private action under the Consumer Protection Act.

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, up to 36 months. KRS 367.911 bars longer terms, payments or financing beyond 36 months, and lifetime memberships. Covered schools must also be registered and bonded or bond-exempt.

How can Kentucky students cancel?

Within 3 business days for a full refund, or later with a prorated refund for death, medical disability of 30 or more days, the school moving more than 5 miles, or the student moving 25 miles or more with no comparable facility within 5 miles. Refunds are due within 30 days (KRS 367.910).

Does Kentucky require background checks for martial arts instructors?

KRS 17.165 requires conviction checks for new hires who care for and supervise minors as 'child-serving professionals', but we did not verify whether that term covers private martial arts instructors. Checks are strongly recommended. Every person in Kentucky must report suspected abuse.

Does my Kentucky MMA gym need a license for amateur fights?

Classes do not appear to need a license. Shows with admission, prizes, or purses fall under the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission and require a licensed, bonded promoter (KRS 229.035, 229.171), and amateur events run outside the chapter must use a commission-recognized nonprofit sanctioning body (KRS 229.045).

Official sources

1. KRS 367.900, Health spa definitions · Kentucky General Assembly
2. KRS 367.905, Registration of health spa; surety bond · Kentucky General Assembly
3. KRS 367.906, Form and amount of surety bonds; exemptions · Kentucky General Assembly
4. KRS 367.910, Written contract; contents; cancellation · Kentucky General Assembly
5. KRS 367.911, Term of contract · Kentucky General Assembly
6. KRS 367.930, Private action · Kentucky General Assembly
7. KRS 365.402, Automatic renewal requirements · Kentucky General Assembly
8. KRS 365.406, Penalties for automatic renewal violations · Kentucky General Assembly
9. KRS 620.030, Duty to report · Kentucky General Assembly
10. KRS 17.165, Criminal record checks for child-serving professionals · Kentucky General Assembly
11. KRS 160.445, Sports safety and concussion · Kentucky General Assembly
12. KRS 139.200, Imposition of sales tax · Kentucky General Assembly
13. KRS 342.630, Coverage of employers · Kentucky General Assembly
14. KRS Chapter 229, Boxing and Wrestling · Kentucky General Assembly
15. Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission · Commonwealth of Kentucky
16. Consumer Resources · Kentucky Office of the Attorney General
17. Business Filings · Kentucky Secretary of State