AlabamaSB2532025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Massage Therapy Licensing Board temporarily under Board of Nursing; authorize Executive Director of the Board of Nursing, or designee to perform certain functions; define and provide for emergency order; clarify status of practice with a temporary permit; provide for annual meeting; require a majority vote to discipline licensee; provide further for the qualifications for licensing and the contents of an application; outcall massage therapy services and inspections of massage therapy establishments; to authorize the board, by rule, to establish and collect reasonable fees; to provide further for investigations, discipline, and fingerprinting of licensees and applicants for licensing; and to provide further for massage therapy schools.

Sponsored By: Garlan Gudger (Republican)

Enacted

Occupational Licensing Boards

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Sex offenses permanently end massage licenses

Beginning June 1, 2025, trafficking, prostitution, or another sexual offense requires permanent loss of a therapist’s license. This applies after a conviction or no-contest plea. An establishment permanently loses its license when someone there receives a conviction or no-contest plea for prostitution or another sexual offense against a client. The board must also permanently revoke an establishment’s license if it finds the business is sexually oriented. Revocations follow state administrative procedures.

Massage providers face immediate emergency shutdowns

The board can immediately suspend a license without a prior hearing when public safety faces an immediate risk. Practice must stop pending a formal hearing. Beginning June 1, 2025, the executive director can also close establishments facing an immediate public-safety risk, without a prior hearing. They must stay closed until a board inspection confirms compliance, but can request a hearing in writing within 30 days. Reopening while suspended carries a $1,000 daily fine; courts enforcing continued violations can triple applicable fines and award legal fees and administrative costs.

Massage workers must report suspected violations

Beginning June 1, 2025, people governed by the massage law must report reasonably suspected violations by another massage therapist. Written notice to the board is due within 30 calendar days after discovering the activity. Failure to report can bring a fine of up to $10,000 or license discipline, including suspension or revocation. This duty does not apply to the public generally.

Board sets massage fees and insurance rules

The board can set and collect reasonable licensing and related fees by rule, replacing the law’s listed fee schedule. The law does not set the new amounts or establish whether fees rise or fall. The board can also require therapists, establishments, and schools to carry professional and general liability insurance. Such a rule must require at least $1 million in coverage from an insurer rated A or better. Providers subject to the rule must show proof when requested; the law does not set premium costs.

Massage businesses face location and inspection rules

Massage services, including visits to clients, must operate at or through licensed establishments unless a legal exemption applies. Establishment applicants must own, lease, or legally possess the physical location. Businesses must report every therapist working at or through them and designate one therapist to ensure compliance. The board’s standards cover establishments, and it can inspect businesses without notice during normal business hours. Inspection powers also cover applicants and people advertising or providing massage; outcall-only businesses must designate a location for records and equipment.

Unlicensed massage providers face substantial fines

Beginning June 1, 2025, unlicensed massage practice or establishment operation can bring an administrative fine of up to $10,000. The board can order providers to stop and ask a county circuit court to enforce the order and collect fines. It can also seek court orders stopping violations of the massage law. In those cases, it can seek $50 per day for each violation, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs. These court charges are not automatic.

Massage discipline includes hearings and majority votes

The board must investigate suspected violations, and the executive director must arrange investigations of complaints against applicants and licensees. Investigators can use subpoenas, compel witnesses, administer oaths, and pursue prosecution. With probable cause, the board can start proceedings to deny or refuse renewal, impose civil penalties, or discipline licensees. Applicants and licensees receive notice and a chance for a hearing under state administrative law. A majority of board members must approve license denial, suspension, revocation, or other specified discipline, including establishment-license actions.

Nursing board temporarily oversees massage licensing

Beginning June 1, 2024, Alabama’s Board of Nursing temporarily handles massage licensing powers. Its executive officer or a designee performs the massage board director’s duties. These duties must transfer to the reconstituted Massage Therapy Licensing Board by October 1, 2026. The law’s general effective date is June 1, 2025.

Massage schools face approval and renewal rules

The board can set school standards, approve curricula, and evaluate massage training programs. Beginning June 1, 2025, schools must meet board approval standards and submit an application and registration fee. Every two years, renewal requires a form, fee, current curriculum, and active instructor list. Beginning October 1, 2025, schools must also show assigned-school registration with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Massage applicants face new qualification rules

Board rules now set massage course content and training hours, replacing the law’s fixed 650-hour curriculum. The board can also set additional license requirements. It can accept a qualifying massage exam administered by another state’s regulator. Applications remain incomplete until all required materials and criminal history information arrive. Applicants facing rejection have a right to a hearing.

Massage licensing rules include specific exemptions

Paid massage services to the general public require a license, including methods using devices that mimic or enhance human hands. People practicing under board-issued temporary permits are exempt from this chapter while using those permits. A separate exemption covers acts delegated and supervised by physicians, physical therapists, or chiropractors within their professional scope. Those workers cannot call themselves massage therapists. Those professionals’ offices need no establishment license for massage provided there by employed or contracted massage therapists.

Massage workers pay for background checks

Beginning June 1, 2025, massage applicants and licensees must submit fingerprints and pay fingerprinting and background-check costs. The board can include these charges in licensing costs or bill separately; no amount is set. It can request state and national checks on a rule-based schedule, including for applications or official complaints. Records stay confidential except when needed to support licensing or disciplinary action. Felonies and crimes connected to massage practice can lead to license denial or discipline.

Moving massage businesses may avoid license fees

The board can waive a new establishment license fee when a massage business moves without changing its name or ownership. The waiver requires board approval of the required documents and is not automatic. The new location must pass inspection before massage services begin.

Massage ads must show license numbers

Beginning June 1, 2025, massage therapists and establishments must include their applicable license numbers in advertisements. People and businesses without a specified professional or establishment license cannot advertise services using “massage” or “bodywork.” The board’s annual therapist roster lists names and license numbers rather than addresses. Anyone can request a copy by paying a fee covering publication and distribution.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Garlan Gudger
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Chris Elliott
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1166

Yes: 100 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 831

Yes: 30 • No: 0