SB350 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Garlan GudgerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the practice of Massage Therapy; to add Chapter 43A to Title 34 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to create the State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists in the office of the Secretary of State; to provide for the membership of the new board and duties of the Secretary of State and that board; to provide for the transfer of the powers, duties, rights, records, and property of the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy to the State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists and the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts temporarily during the transition; to preserve existing regulatory law; to extend the expiration date of licenses issued by the former board until the membership of the new board is established; to repeal Chapter 43 of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, providing for the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

SB350 would replace the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy with a new State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists under the Secretary of State and create a comprehensive licensing framework for therapists, schools, instructors, and establishments.

What This Bill Does

It creates the State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists within the Secretary of State, moves regulatory powers from the old board, and repeals Chapter 43. It establishes licensure requirements for therapists (650 hours of instruction with specified breakdowns, exams, and background checks) and creates licensure and regulatory rules for massage therapy schools, instructors, and establishments, including advertising and conduct rules. It funds these activities through a dedicated state fund, sets various license and renewal fees, and provides enforcement mechanisms and penalties, including for sexual misconduct; it also establishes transition provisions and a sunset with automatic termination in 2025 unless continued. It allows existing licenses to remain valid until the new board is fully in place and outlines transition steps for transferring records and funds.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists in Alabama would be subject to new licensure requirements, ongoing continuing education, background checks, license display, and potential disciplinary actions.
• Massage therapy schools, instructors, and massage therapy establishments would be regulated through new approvals, registrations, inspections, fee schedules, and advertising restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Creation of the nine-member State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists under the Secretary of State, with appointment rules intended to reflect statewide diversity and terms.
• Repeal of the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and transition provisions moving powers, records, and funds to the new board, with temporary transfer to the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts during setup.
• Licensing framework for therapists requiring about 650 hours of instruction (including anatomy/physiology, basic massage, business topics, electives, and clinical hours), examinations (national or state), and criminal history checks; license validity for two years with biennial renewals.
• Licensing and regulation of massage therapy schools and instructors, including approval processes, annual registration, and instructor licensing to teach massage therapy.
• Regulation of establishments requiring a state license, designated licensed massage therapist on site, non-transferable establishment license, and criminal history checks for applicants.
• Advertising and professional conduct rules, including license display, prohibition of non-licensed advertising using massage-related terms, and restrictions on sexual or explicitly sex-oriented advertising.
• Enforcement provisions including grounds for suspension or revocation, civil penalties, injunctions, and appeal processes; mandatory reporting of suspected sexual misconduct and related penalties.
• Funding and fee structure (e.g., initial therapist license $200, biennial renewals $100, establishment license $100, school registration $150, instructor registration $100, annual continuing education requirements) and creation of the State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists Fund.
• Sunset provision with automatic termination in 2025 unless continued under the Alabama Sunset Law, plus continuing education requirements as a condition for license renewal.
• Transitional and effective-date details, including the October 1, 2023 effective date and procedures for transferring records and funds to the new board and state system.

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

Subjects

State Board of Licensure for Massage Therapists, created in office of Secretary of State