New rules from the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board (Board) take effect November 16, 2025. These changes impact licensing fees, continuing education requirements, criminal background checks, and establishment licensing. Massage therapists and business owners should review the updates below to make sure you’re ready and compliant. Additional changes may follow in 2026 when the Board transitions from the Board of Nursing’s oversight to the Department of Health’s.
Fees Have Gone Up
The Board has increased fees for professionals, schools, and establishments. These changes are intended to support administrative costs and regulatory enforcement.
Professional Fees
- Initial massage therapist license: $150 (previously $100)
- Biennial massage therapist renewal: $125, if received on time (previously $100)
- Initial instructor license and renewal: $100 (no change)
Establishment and School Fees
- Initial establishment license: $350 (previously $100)
- Establishment renewal: $350 (previously $50)
- Initial school registration: $250 (previously $150)
- School renewal: $250 (previously $150)
Miscellaneous Fees
- License reactivation fee: $175 (previously $75)
- Late fee: $35 (previously $25)
- Duplicate license fee: $30 (previously $10)
FAQs
Continuing Education: What Should I Study?
Starting June 2026, massage therapists must complete eight (8) mandatory contact hours as part of their 16 total continuing education hours required for license renewal. These eight hours must cover:
- Legal aspects of massage therapy practice
- Disciplinary procedures
- Human trafficking awareness and illegal practice
These hours must be completed within the 24 months before license renewal. Courses must be developed, approved, or provided by the Board.
Criminal Background Check: What Is Approved?
State-level background checks will no longer be accepted. The Board now requires national fingerprint-based checks. If you haven’t completed a fingerprint background check yet, you’ll need to do so before your first renewal in 2026.
Establishment License: Who Needs One?
If you rent space to provide massage therapy, even within another licensed massage business or health-care office, you must now obtain a separate massage therapy establishment license.
Each massage therapy establishment, including those that perform exclusively out-call services, must:
- Maintain a physical location for records and supplies/equipment (these must be made available for inspection)
- Notify the Board within 30 days when a massage therapist joins or leaves your business
Reminder: In 2026, the Board will transition from the Board of Nursing to the Department of Health. That means some of these rules may evolve, and ABMP will keep you informed every step of the way.