SB220 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

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34-43-6, 34-43-7, 34-43-9, 34-43-11, 34-43-12, 34-43-14, 34-43-15, 34-43-17, 34-43-20, 34-43-21 am'd; Sec. 34-43-10 repealed

Summary

SB220 would overhaul Alabama's Massage Therapy Licensure Act by expanding exemptions, increasing licensure requirements, boosting board powers and penalties, and reorganizing the regulatory framework.

What This Bill Does

It expands exemptions from the act and eliminates references to temporary permits. It reorganizes the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy by changing compensation, board makeup, and creating an executive director position, while adding excused-absence rules and removing certain filing requirements. It raises licensure standards to 650 hours of instruction (with detailed hour breakdowns), requires applicants to be at least 18 with a high school diploma and undergo a criminal history check (removing US citizenship as a requirement), and allows reciprocity with states with equal or higher standards; it repeals the old exam provision and moves toward national or board-approved testing. It strengthens enforcement and oversight: adding license and establishment licensing powers, expanding disciplinary actions, increasing penalties for violations to Class A misdemeanors, and requiring continuing education (16 hours per renewal); it creates a separate state fund for the board and sets new, potentially higher, fee structures. It also repeals Section 34-43-10 and places the board under Sunset provisions with a specific effective date.

Who It Affects

• Massage therapy license applicants, current licensees, and massage therapy establishments (including schools): they would face higher education-hour requirements (650 total hours with specified breakdown), background checks, and updated renewal CE requirements; establishments would face expanded licensing and oversight rules and possible new fees.
• The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and related regulatory entities (including massage therapy schools and instructors): they would receive compensation, have a new executive director role, implement excused-absence rules, manage new fee structures and licensing rules, oversee continuing education providers, and enforce stricter licensing and discipline procedures.

Key Provisions

• Expand exemptions from the act and delete references to temporary practice permits; remove antiquated language.
• Change the governance of the Board: add compensation for members, modify board composition, rename executive secretary to executive director, establish excused-absence rules, and remove the requirement that oath and appointment certificates be filed with the Governor.
• Raise licensure education requirements to a minimum of 650 hours (with a detailed breakdown for anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, business/ethics, and electives) and require 18+ age with a high school diploma and criminal history checks; remove US citizenship requirement and allow certain reciprocity.
• Eliminate the old examination section (34-43-10) and require the board to recognize a National Certification Exam or equivalent board-approved exam; repeal the existing exam filing requirements.
• Authorize the board to assess and collect fees, establish rules for licensing establishments, and expand the board’s power to revoke or suspend licenses; impose stronger disciplinary actions for violations (Class A misdemeanor instead of Class C).
• Require licensees to display licenses, require establishment licensing and background checks for licensees, and set grounds for license denial, suspension, or revocation including fraud, unprofessional conduct, or sexual offenses.
• Set continuing education at 16 hours per biennium for license renewal, with approved providers and audit provisions; outline acceptable CE topics and record-keeping requirements.
• Create a dedicated Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Fund to receive all board receipts and govern expenditures, with a sunset provision under Alabama law and a defined effective date.
• Repeal Section 34-43-10 (the exam-specific provision) and move toward a framework where national or board-approved testing governs licensure.
• Note on local funds: the bill acknowledges local expenditure implications but falls within exceptions that avoid needing a 2/3 vote, per Amendment 621.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Massage Therapy, Board of