Accreditation is a voluntary peer review process that identifies and acknowledges educational institutions and programs for achieving and maintaining a level of quality, performance and integrity based on educational and professional standards.

Benefits of accreditation

• Helps educators increase the quality and performance of massage and bodywork programs.
• Offers external measure of credibility, which assists in attracting quality students, faculty and staff.
• Increases program quality as faculty, staff and students participate in the self-study process and clarify the important role each plays.
• Produces a sense of pride knowing that an impartial assessment attests to the quality of the school/program.
• Provides universal recognition of program quality, often by professional organizations, which may increase recruitment potential.
• Enhances the reputation of the program/school in its local community.
• Provides valuable feedback from many stakeholders, including employers and graduates, to help improve the quality of the school/program.

Institutional eligibility requirements
For a massage or aesthetics school to apply for COMTA accreditation, at least 20 students must have graduated from the longest non-degree program at the institution. In addition:

• All programs offered must be massage therapy/bodywork or aesthetics/skin care programs.
• The institution must have been in continuous operation for at least two years.
• The institution must be legally organized and licensed by the appropriate state education and/or state licensing agency.
• The institution must offer instruction on the post-secondary level.
• The institution must offer at least one massage therapy or aesthetics program that requires completion of at least 600 clock hours.

Programmatic eligibility requirements
For an educational institution with a massage or aesthetics program to apply for COMTA accreditation, at least 20 students must have graduated from the longest non-degree program at the institution. In addition:

• The program must have been in continuous operation for at least two years.
• The program must be clearly identified as a professional massage therapy or aesthetics educational program. Other professional education programs that include massage or skin care courses are not eligible.
• A specific entity or department must be responsible for the program. Identifiable faculty and staff must be assigned to and responsible for the program.
• The program must provide an organized plan of study of at least 600 clock hours.
• The institution must offer a certificate, diploma or degree in massage therapy or aesthetics to a body of students enrolled for the purpose of receiving such a credential.
• The parent institution must demonstrate its financial commitment to the massage therapy and bodywork program or aesthetics/esthetics/skin care program by allocating enough financial support to enable all enrolled students to complete the program.
• The program must be located in an institution that already has institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.