Commission Action – June 2015

June 4 and 15 2015 Commission Meeting

Commission Actions

To view this information as a pdf, click here: COMTA Actions – June 2015


The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) has concluded a June 4 and 15, 2015 Special Session Commission Meeting.

By action of the Commission, the following schools have received:


Approval of Name Change:

  • Cayce/Reilly School of Massage (Virginia Beach, VA)

     

    Formerly Cayce/Reilly School of Massotherapy

 

Continued Show Cause and Deferral of Accreditation:

  • Potomac Massage Training Institute – (Silver Spring, MD)

     

    Accept the interim report and extend the grant of accreditation until October 31, 2015.  Show Cause will be continued until this time when the Commission will review the Change of Location site visit report and any further financial documentation and vote on the deferral of accreditation from October 2014.   The Commission also acts to extend the deadline for the Change of Location site visit until August 30, 2015 due to Commission scheduling conflicts.


Please note:  Renewal schools placed on show cause, probation or deferral are considered accredited institutions.

 


 

Continued Show Cause:

Potomac Massage Training Institute – (Silver Spring, MD)

At its May 2013 meeting, the Commission reviewed the school’s 2012 annual report and acted to place a condition on Standard 8.1.1 (financial stability) due to a low current ratio of 0.43:1.  The school’s financial stability would be re-evaluated with the 2013 annual report due March 1, 2014, and the school had until November 2014 to meet the required 1:1 current ratio. 

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 2015 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.

At its April 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 original condition of financial stability was extended for good cause, based on the school taking action toward lower rental expense.  However, a plan for financial stabilization was to 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 plan was due May 31, 2015.  The school was also ordered to pay half of its sustaining fees by May 31, 2015.

At two special session conference calls in June 2015, the Commission reviewed the school’s report and acted to extend the school’s grant of accreditation and continue the financial stability condition one final time.  The maximum timeframe for meeting the financial stability standard has been extended for good cause due to the school having submitted the required reports. The acceptance of the reports indicates only that the school has complied with reporting directives, not that the Commission deems the school to be in compliance with its standards.

While the reports submitted thus far have not indicated that the institution will be able to demonstrate financial stability within the generally allowable extensions for good cause, the Commission has determined that the school should receive one last opportunity to demonstrate an improved financial position that meets COMTA’s standards.

Accordingly, if the institution has any further documentation to submit for Commission consideration at the October 2015 meeting which would show the needed improvement, that documentation must be submitted by September 30, 2015.The institution is accredited through October 2015, with a status of Show Cause.

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