Senate Bill 136 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris ElliottSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Sunset law; Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board continued with modification until October 1, 2027, when renamed Alabama Massage Advisory Council under the regulatory authority of the Alabama Department of Public Health
Summary: SB136 would continue the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board, rename it the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council, move regulatory authority to the Alabama Department of Public Health, and set a sunset date of October 1, 2026 with several structural changes.
What This Bill Does
The Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board would be renamed and placed under the Alabama Department of Public Health, with its property transferred to the department. The Department of Public Health would regulate massage therapists, massage therapy establishments, and massage therapy schools, and may appoint an executive director and outside counsel to help run the program. The bill establishes a nine-member advisory council with specific appointment rules and requires licensing, background checks, and continuing education for therapists and establishments, along with related reporting and compliance duties. It provides enforcement tools such as emergency orders, fines, and disciplinary actions to protect public health and safety and ensure adherence to the chapter.

Who It Affects
Massage therapists, massage therapy establishments, and massage therapy schools in Alabama would be regulated under the new advisory council and ADPH, with licensing, reporting, inspections, and potential disciplinary actions.
The Alabama Department of Public Health, the State Health Officer, and the general public (consumers) would gain expanded regulatory oversight and protections, including rules, inspections, and enforcement to ensure safe massage therapy services.

Key Provisions
Renaming and relocation: The Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board becomes the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council and operates under the Alabama Department of Public Health, with all property transferred.
Regulatory authority and staffing: ADPH will regulate massage therapists, establishments, and schools, and may appoint an executive director and outside counsel; the department provides administrative support to implement the chapter.
Board composition and diversity: The nine-member advisory council includes three governor-appointed licensees, two lieutenant governor-appointed licensees plus two at-large (one at-large with sex trafficking knowledge), and two speaker-appointed licensees plus one at-large; terms, diversity, and qualifications are specified.
Licensing requirements: Massage therapists must meet education, pass an approved examination, undergo criminal background checks (fingerprints), pay fees, and complete continuing education for renewal; out-of-state licenses may be recognized if state standards were equal or stricter.
Establishment licensing and operation: Establishments must be licensed, employ licensed therapists, designate a responsible person, display licenses, and undergo inspections; establishment licenses are non-transferable; relocation may waive a new license fee under rules.
Advertising and discipline: Advertising must include license numbers and cannot promote prostitution or human trafficking; grounds for discipline include fraud, unprofessional conduct, trafficking, and sex offenses; emergency orders, cease-and-desist orders, fines, and potential court enforcement are provided for violations.
Schools and instructors: Massage therapy schools must be approved and registered; instructors must be licensed as therapists and registered as instructors; schools must register every two years and meet accreditation or national standards; continuing education and instructor certification are required.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Occupational Licensing Boards