HB228 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Joe Hubbard
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Massage Therapy, Board of, massage therapists further regulated, penalties increased, Secs. 34-43-3, 34-43-5, 34-43-6, 34-43-7, 34-43-9, 34-43-10, 34-43-11, 34-43-12, 34-43-14, 34-43-15, 34-43-17, 34-43-20, 34-43-21 am'd.
Summary: HB228 would overhaul Alabama's Massage Therapy Licensure Act by tightening licensure requirements, expanding exemptions, and boosting board powers and penalties.
What This Bill Does
It would remove the accreditation requirement for Alabama massage therapy schools and eliminate temporary practice permits, while broadening exemptions. It would raise licensure requirements to 650 hours of instruction, require applicants to be 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a national exam, and undergo a criminal history background check, while removing the US citizenship requirement and adding an animal massage post-graduate training requirement. It would increase penalties for violations to Class A misdemeanors, authorize the board to revoke or suspend licenses and establish licenses for establishments, and allow the board to set and collect various fees. It would also require therapists to carry liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, require 16 hours of continuing education for license renewal, rename the executive secretary to executive director, and adjust board governance, including excused absences and officer duties.

Who It Affects
Massage therapists, massage therapy students, and instructors who must meet higher education, testing, and certification requirements, licensing rules, and insurance obligations.
Massage therapy establishments, schools, and the board that regulates licensing, enforcement, and fees, plus patients/consumers who benefit from stricter regulation.

Key Provisions
Deletes accreditation requirement for Alabama massage therapy schools
Deletes temporary permit to practice massage therapy and expands exemptions
Raises minimum licensure hours to 650, requires 18+ age and high school diploma, background check, and allows out-of-state licenses with equal or stricter standards, plus animal massage postgraduate training
Raises penalties from Class C to Class A misdemeanor and expands board power to revoke/suspend licenses and license establishments
Authorizes the board to assess and collect various fees and creates a dedicated Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Fund
Requires liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 for licensees and 16 hours of continuing education per renewal; board may audit
Renames executive secretary to executive director; lists excused absences; removes oath filing requirement; updates board governance and compensation provisions

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Massage Therapy, Board of