SB222 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

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34-43-6, 34-43-7, 34-43-9, 34-43-11, 34-43-12, 34-43-14, 34-43-15, 34-43-17, 34-43-20, 34-43-21 am'd; Sec. 34-43-10 repealed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

SB222 would overhaul Alabama's Massage Therapy Licensure Act by expanding exemptions, increasing training standards, and strengthening regulation of therapists and establishments.

What This Bill Does

It expands exemptions from licensure and removes any reference to a temporary permit to practice massage therapy. It raises the minimum hours for licensure to 650 and specifies a detailed hour breakdown, requires applicants to be 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent, and adds a criminal history background check while removing the US citizenship requirement. It broadens the board's powers over licensing establishments, issuing and renewing licenses, setting fees, and disciplining licensees, and it increases penalties for violations from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor. It reorganizes the Board by renaming the executive secretary to executive director, providing compensation for board members, updating attendance rules and oath/appointment procedures, and expanding rules on meetings and governance.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists, massage therapy students, and massage therapy establishments would face higher training requirements (650 hours), background checks, new establishment licensing rules, and stiffer penalties.
• Massage therapy schools, instructors, and the regulatory board staff would experience governance changes (executive director, board compensation, new fee rules, continuing education provider approvals, and expanded rulemaking and oversight).

Key Provisions

• Eliminate temporary permits and broaden exemptions from licensure, including students under supervision, other licensed professionals acting within their scope, immediate family members, visiting instructors, disaster relief teams (MERT), Native American healers, and certain hospital settings.
• Increase the minimum licensure hours to 650 with a detailed breakdown (100 hours anatomy/physiology including subcategories, 250 hours basic massage therapy/modality study, 50 hours business/hydrotherapy/first aid/CPR, 250 hours electives) and require 100 hours of postgraduate animal massage training before performing on animals.
• Require licensure applicants to be 18+, have a high school diploma or GED, pass a board-approved examination or nationally recognized exam, and undergo a criminal history background check while removing the US citizenship requirement.
• Repeal Section 34-43-10 (old examination rules) and authorize the board to use national certification exams or board-approved exams, with the board retaining authority to administer written, oral, or practical tests.
• Raise penalties for violations from Class C to Class A misdemeanor and permit civil penalties, fines, and enforcement measures, including possible license suspension or revocation.
• Authorize the board to assess and collect various fees, create a dedicated Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Fund, and fund rulemaking, licensure, and enforcement activities with fees paid to the board.
• Expand licensing authority over establishments (including background checks on establishment licensees, non-transferable licenses, and procedures for exemptions) and strengthen grounds to suspend or revoke licenses.
• Rename the executive secretary to executive director, provide compensation to board members, adjust oath and appointment requirements, specify excused absences, and set governance and reporting duties for the board (including annual Governor reporting).
• Establish continuing education requirements for license renewals (16 hours, with approved providers and audit processes) and define acceptable CE activities and credits.

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