SB189 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

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

SB189 overhauls Alabama's Massage Therapy Licensure Act by removing school accreditation, expanding exemptions, and strengthening board oversight, penalties, and licensure requirements.

What This Bill Does

It removes the requirement that Alabama massage therapy schools be accredited by the State Department of Education and broadens exemptions from the act. It strengthens the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy's duties, updates roles (executive secretary to executive director), and adds excused absences rules. It raises licensure requirements (650 hours of supervised instruction, 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, background check, and no US citizenship requirement) and expands board authority to license establishments, revoke/suspend licenses, and impose higher penalties for violations (Class A misdemeanor). It allows the board to assess and collect fees, create a dedicated fund, and requires continuing education (16 hours per biennium) with audit provisions.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists and massage therapy students: stricter education hours, background checks, and updated licensure rules.
• Massage therapy schools, instructors, and massage therapy establishments: new registration, licensing, fee structures, and expanded board oversight.

Key Provisions

• Delete the requirement that Alabama massage therapy schools be accredited by the State Department of Education.
• Delete references to temporary permits to practice massage therapy and expand exemptions from the act.
• Provide compensation for the board; rename executive secretary to executive director; specify excused absences from board meetings.
• Remove requirements that the oath of office be filed with the Governor and that certificates of appointment be issued by the Governor.
• Increase minimum hours of supervised course instruction for licensure to 650 hours with specified breakdowns and potential board rule adjustments.
• Require licensure applicants to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and undergo a criminal history background check; remove US citizenship requirement.
• Eliminate the limit on the number of times an applicant can take the board examination; remove the requirement to file board exam records for inspection.
• Authorize the board to assess and collect fees; create a dedicated Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Fund; set perimeters for financial management.
• Expand the board's authority to license establishments and to revoke or suspend licenses; raise penalties for violations to Class A misdemeanor.
• Establish continuing education requirements (16 hours per biennium) with approved providers and audit procedures; define acceptable CE topics.
• Require licensing and display of licenses for therapists and establishments; require criminal history checks for establishment licensees; permit certain exemptions for staffing and operations.
• Include animal massage provisions requiring 100 hours of postgraduate training in animal anatomy, pathology, and physiology before massaging animals.
• Permit reciprocity if another state has equal or stricter standards; allow board to adopt rules for compliance and enforcement.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.
• Local funding note: the bill is structured to be exempt from local governmental expenditure requirements due to defining a new or amended crime.

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