Definitions.

(a) MASSAGE. The manipulations of the soft tissue of the human body either by hand or with mechanical or electrical apparatus. The term does not include diagnosis or any service or procedure performed by the following individuals while engaged in the personal performance of the duties of their respective professions:

(1) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses, physical therapists, or other allied health professions who are licensed or registered to practice their respective professions under the laws of the State of Alabama.

(2) Barbers and cosmetologists licensed under the laws of the state provided that the massage is limited to the head, neck, scalp, feet, and hands.

(3) Accredited high schools and colleges and coaches and trainers of the institutions while acting within the scope of employment.

(4) Trainers of any amateur, semiprofessional athlete, or athletic team.

(5) Massage therapists.

(b) MASSAGE PARLOR. Any establishment, building, room, or any place where massage is offered by any person who is not described in subsection (c).

(c) MASSAGE THERAPIST. An individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Proof of graduation from a recognized school of massage licensed by any state.

(2) Certificate of current professional membership in good standing in the American Massage Therapy Association, International Myomassethics Federation, National Athletic Training Association, Mobile Professional Massage Therapist Association, or any other professional massage association with equivalent professional membership standards.

(3) A current license to practice massage therapy from another state.

(d) RECOGNIZED SCHOOL. Any one of the following:

(1) Any school or institution of learning which has for its purpose the teaching of theory, method, profession, and work of massage therapy requiring a resident course of study. The course study shall consist of not less than 250 hours in the classroom. The required and supervised course of study shall include, but shall not be limited to, anatomy, physiology, massage theory, hydrotherapy, professional ethics, basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hygiene ethics, and practical application of technique.

(2) Any school which is approved by the American Massage Therapy Association, International Myomassethics Federation, or other recognized professional organizations with equivalent educational standards.

(3) Any massage training school which is licensed by the State of Alabama.

(Act 81-132, p. 152, § 2; Act 95-506, p. 1014, § 1.)