Fortune-Telling Without a License Is a Crime in Massachusetts

Fortune-telling without a license is illegal in Massachusetts. It's true. Additionally, there is a long waiting period to obtain that license.

What Massachusetts Law Says About Fortune Telling

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 185I states: "No person shall tell fortunes for money unless a license therefor has been issued by the local licensing authority."

The 12-Month Residency Rule and Local License Fees

There is a residency requirement to apply for a fortune-telling license as well. "Said license shall be granted only to applicants who have resided continuously in the city or town in which the license is sought for at least twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application," according to the law.

Fortune-Telling Without A License Is A Crime In Massachusetts

The state allows local cities and towns to set the fee for a fortune-telling license, but the law says it shall be no less than $2 or no more than $50.

There is also a penalty for non-compliance: "Whoever tells fortunes for money unless licensed under this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars."

Passed in 1963: Why Mass. Regulates Psychics and Grifters

So, this is a relatively recent law. It was enacted in 1963, not by some Puritans who sailed from Europe in a wooden boat in the 17th Century.

According to Governing.com, the law was "likely established to prevent grifters from passing from town to town." The site says a separate Massachusetts law (MGL Chapter 266, Section 75) deals with fake fortune tellers.

"Whoever, by a game, device, sleight of hand, pretended fortune-telling or by any trick or other means by the use of cards or other implements or instruments, fraudulently obtains from another person property of any description shall be punished as in the case of larceny of property of like value," the law states.

Cleaning Up Massachusetts 'Zombie Laws' and Blue Laws

Massachusetts lawmakers have been sorting through and cleaning out old "Zombie Laws" and what are historically referred to as "Blue Laws."