The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, a non-profit independent body, seeks to improve the quality of education for students seeking education in the fields of massage therapy and bodywork through an accreditation process that reflects the current and emerging professional practice standards.

OUR HISTORY

In 1982, the AMTA Council of Schools (COS) was established, in recognition of a shared concern among educators and school Executive Directors for the quality of massage therapy education. Early Council work focused on the need to develop and maintain educational standards.

In 1989, the Commission on Massage Training Approval/Accreditation was established. In the following two years, with the assistance of AMTA’s Program Approval Review Committee (PARC), COS, and additional AMTA volunteers and staff, COMTAA created and implemented standards, policies and procedures that would meet the rigorous standards of the USDE for accrediting agencies. Recognition by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA) was pursued as a developmental stage toward the ultimate goal of USDE recognition.

In 1992, in an effort to combat widespread fraud, waste and abuse in the federal Title IV financial aid programs, Congress passed the Higher Education Amendments. This law requires USDE recognized accrediting agencies to act as “gatekeeper” of federal funds.
The responsibility for oversight of student loan programs for years had been shared by states, accrediting agencies and the USDE. Congress determined in 1992 this triad was not able to guarantee program integrity and financial accountability in higher education institutions.
The Amendments created a new triad in which the states (which have a new enforcement capability) and the accrediting agencies (which have new requirements to meet) each have responsibility for monitoring and reporting to each other and to the USDE.

The responsibility for oversight of student loan programs for years had been shared by states, accrediting agencies and the USDE. Congress determined in 1992 this triad was not able to guarantee program integrity and financial accountability in higher education institutions.
The Amendments created a new triad in which the states (which have a new enforcement capability) and the accrediting agencies (which have new requirements to meet) each have responsibility for monitoring and reporting to each other and to the USDE.

While waiting for the USDE regulations to be issued, COMTAA continued to accredit and approve programs and continued to refine its policies and procedures to be ready to come into compliance with those regulations.

In October 1996, an elected COMTAA Commission was seated. The members were elected by the then current COMTAA approved and accredited programs. The initial representation on the Commission included two massage school administrators, two massage school educators, and two public members, one each of professional academic, massage therapist employer and massage therapist practitioner.

In 1997 the decision was made to end the approval status on March 31, 1999, and change the name to the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). In 2004 COMTA became a completely independent organization.

U.S. Department of Education recognition was granted July 10, 2002. On November 8, 2004, COMTA’s USDE recognition was continued for five years and the scope of recognition was expanded to include accreditation of associate degree programs.

Our Services

• A full-time staff available to schools for consultation on the accreditation process, and as a source of clarification regarding policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Continuous review of the standards to assure that they reflect the most current practices and ethical guidelines.
• Practices and standards based on the regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education for accrediting bodies .
• Policies which prevent conflicts of interest and ethical standards to ensure objectivity and impartiality in all aspects of our work.
• Complaint and appeals procedures which provide due process related to the interpretation of standards for individuals, programs, and schools.
  

Important Features of COMTA

COMTA aspires to be the premier independent accrediting body for the massage therapy profession. COMTA accreditation is unique because:

• COMTA accredits only educational institutions and programs offering instruction in massage therapy and bodywork.
• COMTA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Standards of Accreditation are set by practitioners and educators in the profession.
• Standards are designed to encompass diversity in curriculum content and organization and in methods of instruction reflecting the diversity in professional practice.
• There is an elected Board of Commissioners who have experience in the profession as practitioners and administrators, as well as employers and members of the general public
• The review by peers ensures that there are people who know the profession and value the importance of maintaining high standards.
• Our full-time staff is trained to serve you and your school as you undertake the steps toward accreditation.

For Information

Call our office at 847.869.5039. Our staff will provide more information about the accreditation process to get you and your school started on the path to self-assessment and quality enhancement. We will be happy to answer your specific questions about the interpretation of a COMTA standard, policy, procedure, or decision.
Alternatively, the e-mail address is: info@comta.org.

Standards, Policies & Procedures

>>Click Here to access important COMTA documents and forms utilized in the accreditation process.  These include COMTA's Standards, policies, procedures, forms, requirements, reports and all of the appendix topics listed below.

APPENDICES

Complaint Procedure
Advertising Policy
Fee Schedule
Definition of Satisfactory Progress
Steps in Initial or Renewal of Accreditation
Definition of Terms
Application for Accreditation - Initial and Re-accreditation
Competency Table & Instructions
Catalog Requirements Checklist
Change of Ownership (Proprietary)
Change of Control - Non-profit
Change in Institutional Control
Instructional Personnel Form
Administrative Staff Personnel Form
Application - Branch Campus
Application - Auxiliary Classroom
Annual Report form
Completion, Placement & Licensure Report
Automated Completion, Placement & Licensure Report