Alabama Massage Therapy Insurance
How Much Does Massage Liability Insurance Cost in Alabama?
1 year full-time Professional Rate
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
$
289
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.39/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
$
149
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
Alabama Massage Liability Insurance Guidelines
In healthcare, people often associate "malpractice insurance" with doctors making errors in surgery or diagnosis. Yet, this protection isn't exclusive to physicians. Massage therapists also benefit from having malpractice insurance. Given the close contact nature of their work, they're exposed to possible legal claims from current or past clients. Even though massage therapy appears low-risk, it's hard to predict how patients will react. In today's increasingly lawsuit-prone society, having insurance as a safeguard is crucial.
In Alabama, the Board of Massage Therapy has set clear requirements for those wanting to become licensed massage therapists. The prerequisites make sure that practitioners are skilled and uphold the highest ethical standards. To qualify for a license, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have never knowingly worked at a sexually-oriented massage establishment
- Have a clean record, with no pleas of "no contest" to prostitution or sexual offenses in the three years prior to applying for the license
- Submit a completed application form with a $25 fee
Alabama also stresses the importance of liability insurance for massage therapists. Massage therapists in Alabama must have Personal Liability Coverage, with a coverage limit of $1,000,000. This insurance acts as a safety net, protecting therapists from potential financial losses if their services unintentionally cause harm or if unexpected accidents happen.
Education and training are fundamental for a skilled massage therapist. In Alabama, a massage therapist must:
- Complete at least 650 classroom hours at an accredited or licensed Massage Therapy School. For those who've studied out-of-state, verification through NCBTMB or proof of licensure by the respective state is required. A copy of the transcript must be uploaded.
- Generally, if the transcript doesn't meet the 650-hour requirement, up to 150 Continuing Education Hours can be used to fill the gap, but this needs prior approval from the Board’s Executive Director.
- Pass either the MBLEx or NCBTMB exams. Proof of exam results must be uploaded.
For those interested in teaching, Alabama has separate requirements for instructors. Massage instructors must hold a current Alabama license, submit the necessary application form with the required fee, and show two years of professional experience.
License renewal for massage therapists in Alabama happens every two years, with a fee of $100. Therapists also need to earn 16 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years to stay updated with changing practices and techniques.
After meeting all training, examination, and documentation requirements, applicants can send their credentials to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The application must include a photograph, proof of massage school completion, evidence of passing the MBLEx, and the application fee. Once verified and approved, the state of Alabama will issue the massage therapist's license.
Becoming a licensed massage therapist in Alabama may seem challenging, but it reflects the state's dedication to ensuring its therapists are competent, ethical, and well-protected. The mandatory massage liability insurance in Alabama gives therapists and their clients peace of mind, reinforcing the idea that there's a strong safety net available. Clients can feel confident knowing their therapist is licensed and insured.
Alabama Massage Therapy Resources
The following are state resources, including some Alabama employment statistics, to help you determine if being a massage therapist is right for you: Alabama massage employment statistics as of August 5, 2023: $37.58/hour
Source: Indeed.com
Education Requirements: Required Education Hours: 650 hours from an accredited massage therapy school. Applicants must have taken and passed either the NCBTMB exam or the MBLEx exam. CEUs Required: 16 hours of related education every 2 years.
Source: Alabama Board of Massage Therapy
For additional information about massage therapy in Alabama, follow these links: State massage information: Alabama Board of Massage Therapy
State employment stats: Bls.gov
Compare Alabama massage therapist employment statistics to other states: Bls.gov
Everything You Need to Know About Renewals in Alabama
If you're looking to renew your massage therapist license online, be prepared to with the below specific documents. Before starting the application, ensure all necessary documents are saved on your device.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: You must have completed 16 CE Hours. Save all your certificates and combine them into a single file for upload. Do not upload each certificate separately. Instead, compile them into one continuous file for uploading.
Insurance Coverage: Proof of Professional and General Liability Insurance Coverage with a limit of $1,000,000 is required as per Rule 532-X-3-.03(5). Upload your Certificate of Insurance.
Renewal Fee: The fee for a two-year license renewal is $100, which can be processed online.
Late and Reinstatement Fees: If your license has expired for less than a year, there's a late fee of $50. For licenses expired between 1-5 years, the reinstatement fee is $100.
Background Check: A background check is mandatory. There's a separate fee of $42 for this, which is apart from the license fee. This check can only be processed through the online application, and third-party background reports won't be accepted.
License Expiry Note: If a massage therapist license has been expired for more than five years, it cannot be reinstated.
Three Policy Options to Choose From For Alabama Massage Insurance
1 year full-time Professional Rate
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
$
289
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.39/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
$
149
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
Who Is Massage Magazine Insurance Plus?
With a rich history of 38 years in the industry, MASSAGE Magazine created Massage Magazine Insurance Plus as a comprehensive national liability insurance policy for professionals in the fields of health, wellness, and beauty.
Now supported by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Arch Insurance, our members can benefit from enhanced insurance coverage that is both reliable and backed by esteemed partners. Despite these advancements, our dedicated team at MASSAGE Magazine, serving the massage and bodywork industry since 1985, continues to operate the program.
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Free Continuing Education Courses
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See What MMIP Insurance Members Are Saying
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