Alabama massage therapy licensing

* There's no definition or discussion of non-therapeutic massage or touch in
the legislation, although there is mention that you cannot use the words
"massage" or "bodywork" in any advertising regarding services, pretty much
meaning that massage == massage therapy.

* If you want to massage an animal, you need to take at least another 100
hours postgraduate training from a recognized provider of training for EACH
particular animal you want to massage. This includes A&P and pathology for
that animal.

* To be licensed in Alabama, you need to be a citizen of the United States.
I'm not sure yet how this applies to non-citizens like myself who are
licensed in Ohio and may want to gain an Alabama license.

* Before a license is issued, you need to have $1,000,000 personal liability
insurance. There's no information on whether you need to keep that during
the period you're licensed, or whether you need to have it when you renew
your license.

* Native American Healers providing traditional healing don't need to be
licensed, but if they apply for the license, they need to follow the rules
of the license.

* Anyone working under the direction of a physician, chiropractor or a
physical therapist doesn't need any training and can do massage as long as
they don't represent themselves as a massage therapist.

* State law states that you don't need a license to give massage to family
members.

* Massage therapists aren't allowed to work in a sexually-oriented business.
This includes "a sex parlor, massage parlor, nude studio, modeling studio,
love parlor, adult bookstore, adult movie theater, adult video arcade, adult
motel, or other commercial enterprise which has as its primary business the
offering for sale, rent, or exhibit, or the exhibit of, items or services
intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the
customer."

* All advertising by a massage therapist or massage therapy establishment
must include a license number.

* It looks as if there is no criminal background check performed at any
stage of pre-licensing. At the examination stage, a background check may be
performed, but I'm looking into this. Post-licensing if a complaint is
received, then a background check may be requested by the Board.


Anyone from Alabama want to comment?