HB453 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Massage Therapy, Board of, board authorized to grant executive director the authority to approve licenses, require massage therapy establishments and schools to carry liability insurance, definitions further provided, Sec. 34-43-10 repealed; Secs. 34-43-3, 34-43-6, 34-43-7, 34-43-8, 34-43-9, 34-43-11, 34-43-12, 34-43-14, 34-43-15, 34-43-20, 34-43-21 am'd.

Summary

HB453 updates the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy by expanding licensing authority, adding insurance requirements, revising licensure and education rules, and tightening advertising and disciplinary provisions.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the board to authorize the executive director to approve licenses. It requires massage therapy establishments and schools to carry liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 with an A-rated or better carrier and bans advertising on sexually explicit websites or online platforms. It overhauls licensure by increasing training hours, repealing the old massage therapist examination, introducing a 16-hour continuing education requirement for renewals, and adjusting fees. It also changes board composition rules, imposes background checks and inspections for establishments, and sets new rules for schools and instructors.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists and massage therapy establishments: new licensure requirements, mandatory background checks, establishment licensing, mandatory liability insurance, and advertising restrictions.
• Massage therapy schools and instructors: board approval/registration of schools, instructor licensing/registration, and continuing education provider requirements.

Key Provisions

• authorizes the board to grant the executive director authority to approve licenses;
• requires massage therapy establishments and schools to carry professional and general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 with an A-rated or better carrier;
• prohibits advertising massage services on sexually explicit websites or online platforms;
• revises licensure requirements: increases instructional hours (500 initial hours, with a later 650-hour structure), requires passing a national exam or board-approved equivalent, includes criminal history checks and citizenship/legal presence requirements, and allows licensing from other states with equal or stricter standards;
• repeals Section 34-43-10, removing the massage therapist examination requirement;
• establishes establishment licensing rules (non-transferable licenses, background checks, initial inspections for non-resident ownership) and requires establishments to employ at least one licensed therapist;
• creates a continuing education program requiring 16 hours of approved CE for license renewal, with audit provisions and defined credit categories;
• updates board governance by removing the restriction that no two members from the same congressional district serve at the same time and outlines other board duties, fee changes, and the board's Sunset Law framework;
• requires board-approved schools and instructors, with instructors needing licensure/registration and adjunct instructors meeting national or state standards;
• imposes penalties and disciplinary processes for misconduct, including potential fines and license actions, and sets procedures for complaints and investigations;

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Massage Therapy, Board of