April 3 & 9, 2015 Commission Meeting
Commission Actions
To view as a pdf, click here: COMTA Actions – April 2015
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) has concluded its April 3 & 9, 2015 Commission Meetings.
By action of the Commission, the following schools have received:
Initial Accreditation (Programmatic): April 2015 – April 2022
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Central Oregon Community College – Massage Therapy Program (Bend, OR)
- Spencerian College – Massage Therapy Program (Louisville, KY)
Initial Accreditation (Institutional): April 2015 – April 2022
- Montana School of Massage (Missoula, MT)
Initial Accreditation (Institutional): April 2015 – October 2021 (Per six-month deferral from October 2014)
- Yellowstone Institute of Massage Therapy (Billings, MT)
Renewal of Accreditation (Institutional): April 2015 – April 2022
- Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics (Alexandria, IN)
- Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Body Therapy Institute (Siler City, NC)
- Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy – Newington (Newington, CT)
- Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy – Groton (Groton, CT)
- Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy – Westport (Westport, CT)
- Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado (Denver, CO)
- Mountain State School of Massage (Charleston, WV)
Renewal of Accreditation (Institutional): April 2015 – October 2021 (Per six-month deferral from October 2014)
- Florida School of Massage (Gainesville, FL)
Deferred Accreditation Decisions (Institutional)*:
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Potomac Massage Training Institute – (Silver Spring, MD)
The Commission has extended the deferred decision on renewal of accreditation and the grant of accreditation until May 31, 2015 to respond to the Show Cause Order (below).
Continued Show Cause*:
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Educating Hands School of Massage – (Miami, FL) – For details, see below
- Potomac Massage Training Institute – (Silver Spring, MD) – For details, see below
Change of Location – Interim Approval:
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Educating Hands (Miami, FL) – Commission grants interim approval for the change of location, pending site visit within 6 months. From: 3883 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida 33137, to: 260 NE 17th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33132
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Potomac Massage Training Institute (Silver Spring, MD) – Commission grants interim approval for the change of location, pending site visit within 3 months. From: 5028 Wisconsin Ave NW, Lower Level, Washington DC 20016, to: 8380 Colesville Rd, Ste 600, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
- SOLEX Medical Academy – (Chicago, IL) – Commission grants interim approval for the change of location, pending site visit within 6 months. From: 350 E. Dundee Rd, Ste 20, Wheeling Illinois 60090, to: 180 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Confirmation of Auxiliary Classroom Interim Approval:
- Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy – (Ann Arbor, MI) – Commission confirms interim approval for the auxiliary classroom located at: Thrive Martial Arts and Fitness, 5050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103,
Substantive Curriculum Change:
- Bristol Community College (New Bedford, MA) – Commission approves the substantive change for the revised Therapeutic Massage Certificate (705 hours/29 credits).
*Please note: Renewal schools placed on show cause, probation or deferral are considered accredited institutions.
Summary of Continued Show Cause:
- Educating Hands School of Massage – (Miami, FL)
At its October 2014 meeting, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) acted to place the school on probation until the 2013 Annual Report and all applicable late fees were submitted and accepted by the Commission. The annual report had been due July 1, 2014 and was to be submitted immediately. The Commission’s repeated attempts at communication went unanswered by the school. Thus at its January 2015 meeting, the Commission acted to place the school on Show Cause until the 2013 annual report and all applicable late fees, were submitted and reviewed by the Commission. The school had 30 days to submit all information or face immediate Revocation of accreditation.
The school submitted the annual report, reviewed financial statements and late fees by the deadline as required. At its recent April 3, 2015 meeting, the Commission reviewed the school’s 2013 annual report submission, as well as its new Change of Location application submitted March 25, 2015. The Commission has acted to accept the 2013 annual report, grant interim approval for the new location and extend Show Cause pending timely submission of the school’s 2014 reviewed financial statements and jurisdictional approval. The school is also to undergo a site visit to confirm the change of location within 6 months and submit a late fee penalty for failing to submit the change of location application prior to executing the move.
- Potomac Massage Training Institute – (Silver Spring, MD)
At its October 2014 meeting, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) reviewed the renewal of accreditation for the Potomac Massage Training Institute. This review included consideration of the program’s self-study report, the report of the site team, the school’s response to the site team report, as well as the recent Change of Location application and MHEC action. Based upon the information submitted for review, the Commission acted to defer the accreditation decision and place the School on Show Cause for moving to a location without requisite state or COMTA approvals. The Commission extended the school’s accreditation grant for a period of 60 days, during which time the school was to notify the Commission of its current operational location and status and where it was within the state approval application process. The school was also to submit an interim report addressing the concerns remaining from the renewal process, including the submission of a complete 2013 annual report.
At its January meeting, the Commission reviewed the school’s interim report and acted to extend the deferral of accreditation and Show Cause action for 30 days. The school was to submit the 2013 and 2014 audits and annual reports, with payment of applicable late fees by the deadline or face immediate revocation.
The school submitted the annual report, reviewed financial statements and late fees by the deadline as required. At its recent April 3, 2015 meeting, the Commission reviewed the school’s annual report, financial statements, and Change of Locations applications and acted to extend the previous grant of accreditation until May 31, 2015 due to meeting the specific criteria that would have led to immediate revocation of accreditation in March, defer decision on the renewal of accreditation to this date, and grant interim approval for the new location in Silver Spring, MD.
The condition of financial stability is being extended for good cause, based on the school taking action toward lower rental expense. However, a plan for financial stabilization must be submitted which addresses the path to the 1:1 ratio by using financial indices, such as the Composite Financial Index, which may be considered in lieu of the 1:1 ratio for meeting the standard. This must be completed by May 31, 2015.
Show Cause continues until the program complies with all unverified accreditation standards in conjunction with the site visit to the new location in Maryland, to be completed by July 31, 2015.