For CONSUMERS:
Practicing Massage Therapists must adhere to Alabama Law. Along with the law, practicing Massage Therapists must abide by regulated rules set forth by the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy.
3 Steps to Look Before You Book in Alabama:
Step 1: Click this link and enter your desired city. Whether your choice is for mobile massage or selecting a session within a clinic, only those listings with an “Active” status are legally permitted to perform massage within the state of Alabama.
[§ 34-43-11. Licensing of establishments.]
Step 2: Verify your Massage Therapists by clicking here.
You can enter their name OR license number for verification. This report will show not only their license number, but it will also show status of their license. Only Massage Therapists with an “active” status are legally permitted to perform services within Alabama. Make sure to ask your massage therapist which company holds their liability insurance. Licensed Massage Therapists are required to maintain professional liability insurance through a rated A organization.
[Ala.Code 1975 § 34-43-4 § 34-43-4.]
Step 3: Alabama offers a list of disciplinary actions for public view. Look before you book by clicking here to ensure your Massage Therapist is legally permitted to practice within Alabama.
What to look for when you arrive: A valid Massage license and Establishment license should properly be displayed for consumer visibility. If the municipality requires a business license, this should also be in plain sight.
What to expect during a massage: Consumers should expect their services to be professional and strict adherence to draping laws. You have the authority to stop your session at any time if you experience any violations to Alabama Law. Consumers are also expected to adhere to ethical behaviors during their sessions and not request sexual acts to be performed by their Massage Therapist.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 532-X-3-.04 (i) clean drape material for draping clients during the massage, use of which shall be explained to the client prior to the massage, and which shall cover the buttocks and genitals of a male client at all times during the massage, and which shall cover the buttocks, breasts, and genitals of a female client at all times during the massage.
Under the law a “Massage Therapist” is a person licensed under this Act who practices massage therapy or touch modalities upon a patron of either gender for compensation, working to alleviate pain, reduced stress, and instigate the normalization of the soft tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue of the patron. A massage therapist shall not be designated as a “massage parlor” employee.
Can my Horse or Dog get massage? Yes. An animal massage therapist requires extra training in the state of AL.
(8) To permit animal massage by a massage therapist under the direction of prescription of a licensed veterinarian, theapplicant must graduate from a nationally approved program and complete a minimum of 100 hours of postgraduate trainingand education in animal anatomy, pathology, and physiology for the type of animal on which the therapist will performtherapeutic massage.
Exempt from Licensing: Native American healers using traditional healing practices, provided, however, Native American healers who use these practices but apply for a license pursuant to this chapter shall comply with all licensure requirements.
What to do after your session: If you experience any violations to Alabama Law during your session, please complete a consumer complaint immediately. If you do not receive a response from the Alabama Board of Massage within 24 hours, please contact (334) 420-7233.
Is there a brothel in your area? What can you do?
Prohibited Acts under Alabama Law: Sexually Oriented Businesses are not Massage Clinics, they are brothels. All prohibited acts can be found here:
Ala.Code 1975 § 34-43-8 § 34-43-8.
How do you know? Identify a Brothel or Sex Parlor
What can you do? Contact End It Alabama immediately and report this activity.
For the Massage Therapist:
Practicing Massage Therapists must adhere to Alabama Law. Along with the law, practicing Massage Therapists must abide by regulated rules set forth by the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy.
3 Steps to Look Before You Book in Alabama:
Step 1: Screen the potential client by asking detailed information regarding their massage needs. Listen for “indications” of sexual requests.
- Ask the client if they have received massage in the past, if so, where. Research the location prior to booking.
- Ask the client what their outcome goals are for the session
- If the client asks for “full body” massage, specifically list each body part that you will address while emphasizing that the massage will exclude genitals, breasts, and exposed buttocks.
- Educate the potential client by using the words “professional” and “therapeutic” during your conversation.
- If you utilize online booking, create settings to deny 1st time clients to ability to book online.
- Make a vocal contact with every new client, no matter their sexual orientation
- Above all, trust your instincts.
- Screen potential sex offenders by using this website
- If the potential client fails the screening process, do not book this client. Simply inform them that you do not feel your therapy could accommodate their outcome goals. Make notes within your system to include their number and full name.
Step 2: During the intake: If a first-time client passes the screening process, it is still important to discuss these topics during the intake process. Gather information on their intake form and discuss professional expectations from them as well as what can be expected of you. Outline a detailed explanation of your massage session and what methods you will perform during the massage. If at any time the client responds with unethical responses, do not perform the massage. Simply explain to the client that you do not feel your therapy could accommodate their outcome goals.
Step 3: During the massage: If the client passes both the screening and intake process, but during the massage they shift into unethical behaviors-Stop the session immediately by stating “I am a professional massage therapist and this is a professional session, due to your behavior, this session is now over. You will be charged for this session and I ask that you do not attempt to return for sessions.” If possible, immediately get a witness. Establish a policy within your work space that allows for session disruptions in the event of these activities. If you are unable to get a witness, be clear and straightforward with the client once they have exited the massage room. Inform the client that you will be filing a report to include their actions. Follow through with making the report, no matter how minor the report is. Use your judgement, stay alert, and be ready to protect yourself.
Is there a brothel in your area? What can you do?
Prohibited Acts under Alabama Law: Sexually Oriented Businesses are not Massage Clinics, they are brothels. All prohibited acts can be found here:
Ala.Code 1975 § 34-43-8 § 34-43-8.
How do you know? Identify a Brothel or Sex Parlor
What can you do? Contact End It Alabama immediately and report this activity.
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