AR HB1440

Establishes mandatory registration requirements for massage therapy establishments, including clinics, spas, and entities that employ or contract with massage therapists to provide services at alternate locations such as private residences or hotels

Requires each principal (owner, member, shareholder, or partner) of a massage therapy establishment to submit a registration application, list of principals and their license numbers, list of licensed massage therapists, certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State, and a business license

Registration is valid for two years and is non-transferable; existing establishments in good standing have 90 days from the effective date to submit required documentation

Adds disciplinary grounds including employing unlicensed individuals to perform massage therapy and operating without a massage therapy establishment registration, with penalties ranging from $25 to $1,000 per infraction

Requires criminal background checks for persons applying individually or as principals of entities seeking massage therapy establishment registration