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AlabamaSB1362026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Chris Elliott (Republican)

Enacted

Occupational Licensing Boards

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier training recognition for massage licensing

The Alabama health department may accept training from massage schools outside Alabama for licensing purposes. Those schools must be recognized by a regionally recognized professional accrediting body or another state’s licensing authority. Massage schools no longer must submit proof of assigned-school registration through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. That proof requirement had been scheduled to begin October 1, 2025.

Massage therapists face fewer procedural duties

Massage license applicants no longer face the board’s specific power to require an initial in-person hearing. People covered by the law no longer must report another therapist’s suspected violations in writing within 30 calendar days. That duty applied when they reasonably believed another therapist violated the massage therapy law. The law also removes the related fine and license discipline for failing to report.

Alabama health department takes over massage licensing

The law keeps Alabama’s massage licensing board operating until October 1, 2027, when it becomes an advisory council. The Alabama Department of Public Health takes over applications, licenses, exams, inspections, complaints, and enforcement. The State Committee of Public Health handles specified rulemaking and approval duties; existing rules remain effective unless changed. On October 1, 2027, the massage therapy fund becomes the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council Fund. The department uses money collected under the massage therapy law to carry out that law.

Fewer massage disclosures, less consumer information

Massage therapists and businesses no longer must include their license numbers in ads. Consumers lose that required source of license information. The state also no longer must prepare an annual therapist roster or provide copies for a fee. The health department must still keep a complete record of massage therapists.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Elliott

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 305 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 501

Yes: 103 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 151

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Elliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 150

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/3/2026Senate

  2. Delivered to Governor

    2/24/2026Senate

  3. Signature Requested

    2/24/2026House

  4. Enrolled

    2/20/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading in Second House

    2/19/2026House

  6. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 501

    2/19/2026House

  7. Ready to Enroll

    2/19/2026Senate

  8. Ready to Enroll

    2/19/2026Senate

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/5/2026House

  10. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/4/2026House

  11. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Boards, Agencies and Commissions

    1/29/2026House

  12. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/29/2026House

  13. Engrossed

    1/28/2026Senate

  14. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/27/2026Senate

  15. Elliott 1st Substitute Offered

    1/27/2026Senate

  16. Elliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 150

    1/27/2026Senate

  17. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 151

    1/27/2026Senate

  18. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/14/2026Senate

  19. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/14/2026Senate

  20. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

    1/13/2026Senate

  21. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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