Code of Alabama - Title 34: Professions and Businesses - Chapter 43 - Massage Therapists

• Section 34-43-1 Short title
  This chapter shall be cited as the "Alabama Massage Therapy Licensure Act."
• Section 34-43-2 Legislative findings and intent
  Massage therapy is declared by the Legislature to be a professional therapeutic health service. The Legislature finds that in the practice of massage therapy, there...
• Section 34-43-3 Definitions
  For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) ADVERTISE. Distributing a card, flier, sign, or device to any person...
• Section 34-43-4 Regulated activities
  Except as specifically provided by this chapter, beginning January 1, 1997, no person may do any of the following unless licensed pursuant to this chapter:...
• Section 34-43-5 Exemptions
  (a) The following persons, offices, or establishments shall be exempt from this chapter: (1) A student of massage therapy who is rendering massage therapy services...
• Section 34-43-6 Alabama Board of Massage Therapy
  (a) There is created the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy. The purpose of the board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the...
• Section 34-43-7 Powers and duties of board
  (a) By rule, the board shall make provisions to do all of the following: (1) Examine and qualify for examination applicants for licensure and issue...
• Section 34-43-8 License requirement; sexually oriented businesses; services for clients who are ill or who have physical dysfunctions
  (a) No person may perform the duties of a massage therapist unless he or she possesses a current license issued pursuant to this chapter. (b)...
• Section 34-43-9 Application for license; educational requirements
  (a) A person desiring to be licensed as a massage therapist shall apply to the board on forms provided by the board. Unless licensed pursuant...
• Section 34-43-10 Massage therapist examination
  (a) In the event that a massage therapist's examination is required, it shall be conducted at the times and places and under the supervision determined...
• Section 34-43-11 Licensing of establishments
  (a) Establishments shall be licensed by the board. A sexually oriented business may not be licensed as an establishment and shall not operate as an...
• Section 34-43-12 Application forms; issuance of license; display of license
  (a) Applications for licensure or renewal shall be on forms provided by the board and shall be accompanied by the proper fee. The application shall...
• Section 34-43-13 License renewal; reinstatement
  (a) Each license shall be renewed biennially, on or before the anniversary date, by forwarding to the board a renewal application accompanied by the renewal...
• Section 34-43-14 Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Fund
  (a) By rule, the board shall initially assess and collect the following fees not to exceed: (1) One hundred sixty dollars ($160) for the examination....
• Section 34-43-15 Complaints; grounds for suspension; revocation, etc., of license; penalties; rulemaking authority
  (a) Any person may file with the board a written and signed complaint regarding an allegation of impropriety by a licensee, establishment, or person. Complaints...
• Section 34-43-16 Use of words "massage" or "bodywork" or other advertising descriptions by non-licensed persons
  A person who does not hold a license as a massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or athletic trainer, or a license for an establishment, shall...
• Section 34-43-17 Criminal penalties
  Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
• Section 34-43-18 Injunction; civil penalty
  (a) In addition to the criminal penalties prescribed by this chapter, the board may seek an injunction against any person or establishment in violation of...
• Section 34-43-19 Construction with other regulations
  (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), this chapter shall supersede any regulation adopted by a political subdivision of the state related to the...
• Section 34-43-20 Massage therapy schools; instructors
  (a) To be approved by the board, a massage therapy school shall meet the following requirements: (1) File a completed application prescribed by the board...
• Section 34-43-21 Continuing education
  (a) Every massage therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be required to complete 16 hours of continuing education as a condition for renewing his...

Last modified: May 3, 2021