Massage | Alabama | Licensing updates
Alabama Keeps 16 Massage CE Hours but Removes the Special Eight-Hour Mandate
A certified Alabama rule effective September 14 keeps the 16-hour massage CE total while removing the special eight-hour legal, discipline, trafficking, and…
- Before September 14, follow the rule in force on the filing date; beginning September 14, do not tell therapists that the removed special eight-hour component is still mandatory.
- Continue completing 16 approved CE hours and retain documentation for four years.
- Submit completion certificates with renewal as the replacement rule requires.
- Check the applicable background-check and liability-insurance instructions for the exact application, renewal, or establishment filing.
Published: 2026-08-25 · Reviewed: 2026-09-03
Official context
Alabama's current CE rule requires 16 approved hours in the preceding 24 months and, for the first renewal after June 30, 2026, currently directs 8 of those hours to Board-developed, approved, or provided material on legal issues, discipline, human trafficking, and illegal practice. A certified replacement for Rule 532-X-6-.01 becomes effective September 14, 2026. It retains the 16-hour total but removes that special eight-hour content provision. Licensees must still retain CE documentation for four years and submit certificates showing completion of the required 16 hours with renewal.
What this means
The September 14 change does not eliminate continuing education; it removes the special composition rule while preserving 16 total approved hours. Related certified Chapter 532-X-3 amendments effective the same day address massage-license applications and renewals, including criminal-history checks in specified circumstances and proof of professional and general liability insurance of at least $1 million with an A-rated or better carrier. A separate statutory renewal background-check change is scheduled for October 1, so applicants and licensees should follow the Board's current instructions for the particular filing date and credential type.
Official sources
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/532-X-6-.01
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/filing/69e10311f70de4111679ef4b/filing
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/filing/69e7881a8233fb7dc0c91aad/filing
- https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=34-43A-11&version=2026-10-01
Licensing & Industry Updates is an educational summary of official public communications. It is not legal advice, and filing decisions should be checked against the current board page or rule text.