Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements

The reviewed state sources do not establish broad statewide preemption of generally applicable local business, zoning, or health requirements; verify the intended practice address separately.

• Official application
• Official renewal information
• Official statutes or rules

Local business, facility, zoning, and professional rules may apply in addition to statewide requirements. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authority before acting.

Credential

Licensed Massage Therapist

Credential requirement

A state massage therapist license is generally required under Chapter 43A, subject to statutory exemptions; separate local operating requirements may apply.

Minimum education

650 hours

Approved education

The current rules require 650 supervised hours: 100 in anatomy and physiology, 250 in massage theory and practice including at least 50 supervised practical hours, 50 in business, hydrotherapy, first aid and CPR, ethics, and law, and 250 approved elective hours.

Examination

Applicants pass MBLEx or another board-approved national examination. The board states that state examinations are considered case by case and that the Texas examination is not accepted.

MBLEx relationship

MBLEx is an accepted national examination option, not the only potentially approved examination.

Application

Submit the board application, fee, education and examination evidence, fingerprint-based background review, liability-insurance evidence, and required disclosures.

Application fees

The current board fee schedule lists $150 for the initial two-year therapist license. The fingerprint/background vendor charge is separate and billed at actual cost.

Background check or fingerprinting

Fingerprint-based criminal-history review is required for initial licensure and renewal through the board's current process.

Reciprocity or endorsement

Chapter 43A provides licensure by endorsement when another jurisdiction's standards are equal to or more stringent than Alabama's and the board's other conditions are met.

Additional requirements

A therapist must maintain professional and general liability insurance with at least $1 million in coverage from an insurer meeting the board rule.

Cycle

The current therapist license is issued and renewed on a two-year cycle tied to the licensee's renewal date.

Deadline model

Renew through the board process by the credential's expiration date and complete the required fingerprint, insurance, and CE submissions.

Fees

The current board fee schedule lists $125 for timely therapist renewal and $175 for reinstatement, with the background-check cost separate.

Continuing education

A therapist completes 16 hours of qualifying continuing education during the 24 months preceding renewal.

Required subjects

For the first renewal after June 30, 2026, 8 of the required 16 hours must be board-developed, board-approved, or board-provided contact hours addressing legal aspects of massage-therapy practice, discipline, human trafficking, and illegal practice. The board may accept comparable education after staff review.

Documentation

Since January 1, 2025, licensees submit copies of certificates for the required 16 contact hours concurrently with renewal and retain CE documentation for at least 4 years. Certificates identify the licensee, program title, hours, completion date, and provider number. Board-approved providers maintain approval, program, attendance, evaluation, certificate, and related records for at least 4 years, including the participant and program fields specified by Chapter 532-X-6.

Carryover

No carryover authorization was identified in the reviewed current rule.

Late renewal

The board publishes a reinstatement fee and process for an expired license; exact eligibility depends on the lapse and current rules.

Inactive license

No general inactive-license pathway was established in the reviewed current therapist application and rule materials.

Scope of practice

Alabama Code Chapter 43A and the board rules define and regulate massage therapy practice.

Protected titles

A person may not practice or hold out as a licensed massage therapist without the required state credential, subject to statutory exemptions.

Restrictions

Licensees must comply with board scope, conduct, sanitation, recordkeeping, insurance, and establishment rules.

Municipal or local requirements

The reviewed state sources do not establish broad preemption of generally applicable local business, zoning, or health requirements; verify the practice address.

Establishments and other regulated activities

Massage therapy establishments require a separate board license; the current schedule lists distinct establishment fees.

Practitioner notes

Recheck the regulator, application forms, and statutory text before October 1, 2026 because Act 2026-162 changes the administrative framework on that date.

• Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Code Section 34-43A-8 · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-1 — Organization and Administration · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-2 — Definitions · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-3 — Massage Therapist Licensure · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-4 — Massage Therapy Establishment Licensure and Standards · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-6 — Continuing Education · accessed 2026-08-02
• Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 532-X-7 — Complaints, Investigations, and Disciplinary Actions · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Massage Therapist Applications and Verification · accessed 2026-08-02
• Alabama Massage Therapist Licensure Requirements · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Fees · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Massage Therapy Fingerprinting · accessed 2026-07-27
• Alabama Act 2026-162 Enrolled Text · accessed 2026-07-27

Future verified changes will be listed from this Git-backed record.