The following individuals, offices, and establishments are exempt from licensure:

1. 1. A student who is rendering massage therapy services under the supervision of a massage therapy instructor. A student shall be designated by title clearly indicating his or her training status.
2. 2. An individual practicing massage therapy pursuant to a temporary permit issued by the board.
3. 3. A qualified member of another profession who is licensed and regulated under state law rendering services which are within the scope of his or her license, provided that the individual does not represent himself or herself as a massage therapist.
4. 4. An individual providing massages to his or her immediate family.
5. 5. An individual offering massage therapy instruction who is visiting from another state, territory, or country, provided that the individual is licensed or registered as required in his or her place of residence. A visiting instructor may teach continuing education courses in this state for up to 100 hours per year without being licensed by the board. A visiting instructor who teaches continuing education courses in this state for 100 hours or more per year is required to be licensed by the board.
6. 6. Members of the Massage Emergency Rescue Team (MERT), or any other nationally or internationally recognized disaster relief association, who practice massage therapy in this state only during a time declared by the Governor or the Legislature to be a city, county, or state emergency. These therapists may work in this state for a period of time approved by the board.
7. 7. A Native American healer using traditional healing practices. A Native American healer who applies to the board for a massage therapist license shall comply with all licensing requirements.
8. 8. An individual acting under the supervision of and pursuant to delegation from a physician, a physical therapist, or a chiropractor for whom the delegated acts are within the scope of the license of the physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor, provided that the individual does not represent himself or herself as a massage therapist.
9. 9. The office of a chiropractor, physician, or physical therapist which employs or contracts with a massage therapist to provide massage therapy at the physical location of the office is exempt from an establishment license.

Author: Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-43A-6.

History: New Rule: Filed January 29, 2001; effective March 5, 2001. Repealed: Filed November 9, 2006; effective December 14, 2006. New Rule: Published September 30, 2024; effective November 14, 2024. Amended: Published September 30, 2025; effective November 14, 2025.