FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alerts
To download this information, click here: COMTA Alerts – April 2017
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) would like to bring your attention to the following important announcements as a result of its April 18-19, 2017 Commission meeting:
- Faculty Qualifications “Undergraduate Proficiency” Change – CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The Commission voted to amend the language in Standard III(B)(3) to more accurately reflect the change in the expectations for science instructor qualifications. In April 2015, after a public comment period, the Commission expanded the definition of “undergraduate proficiency.” Yet the continued use of this phrase within the Standards has become misleading and confusing. Therefore, the Commission has voted to revise the language of the Standard as follows:
Standard III(B)(3): Instructors of anatomy physiology, and pathology have advanced proficiency in these sciences which is broader and deeper than the material being taught. (See Faculty Qualifications, Development and Evaluation Guidelines.) at least an “undergraduate level proficiency” in the subject matter being taught. (See Definition of Terms.)
Please click here to view the complete Standard and accompanying Faculty Qualifications Policy document.
Per COMTA policy, this change to the Standards requires a call for public comment before ratifying and enacting. If you would like to provide your feedback, email chair@comta.org with subject line “Faculty Qualifications Public Comment”. All comments must be submitted by June 15, 2017 to be considered.
2. Grant Length Change – CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
To better reflect the current realities of accreditation, the Commission voted to revise the current accreditation grant length of seven (7) years back to its original length with the following guidelines:
Maximum three (3) years for initial applicants
Maximum five (5) years for renewal applicants with the possibility of one (1) additional year for an Institution/Program of Excellence.
Effective date (if ratified and enacted): complete applications (initial and renewal) submitted after July 1, 2017.
Those schools/programs who submitted applications prior to July 1, 2017 would be grandfathered into the current 7-year cycle.
This change is open for a public comment period before ratifying and enacting. If you would like to provide your feedback, email chair@comta.org with subject line “Grant Length Public Comment”. All comments must be submitted by June 15, 2017 to be considered.
Prior to submitting comments, please review the full policy proposal and rationale.
3. Student Outcomes Benchmarks Change
After a yearlong review of its student outcomes benchmarks, the Commission approved a new tiered benchmark system for completion rates based on the length of program.
| Program Length | Completion Rate Benchmark |
| <= 6 months | 65% |
| 7 – 12 months | 60% |
| 13 – 18 months | 51% |
| 19 – 23 months | 47% |
| 24+ months | 40% |
The placement rate benchmark of 65% remains the same for all program lengths.
The following policy language was also adopted: “If a program reports completion/placement rates lower than the COMTA benchmarks, improvement plans and additional monitoring or reporting will be required as deemed appropriate by the Commission. If a program demonstrates a pattern of not meeting the benchmarks, adverse action by the Commission may be taken.”
The new benchmarks are in effect immediately and can be downloaded by clicking here.
Minimum benchmarks for licensure exam pass rates are still being analyzed.
4. COMTA-Endorsed Curriculum Revised Procedure & Fees
After studying the pilot phase of the COMTA-Endorsed Curriculum (CEC) status launched December 2015, the Commission approved the following revisions:
Application fee: $1,000 (reduced from $3,000)
Eliminated the one-day site visit and fee, replaced with phone verification interview with trained COMTA evaluator
Annual fee: $395 (reduced from $495)
Grant length remains the same: four (4) years
Please see complete information on the new COMTA website by clicking here.
5. New Transcript Policy
The Commission voted to adopt a new Transcript policy to support and extend COMTA Transcript Standard VII(B). The policy includes a definition of “transcript” including what must be included in each transcript:
The transcript must include, at a minimum, the program of study; the date of program entry; the date of graduation, termination or withdrawal; course names, clock hours and grades earned; and the credential conferred.
The policy goes into effect immediately. Download the complete policy by clicking here.
For additional information concerning this memorandum, please contact Angie Myer, Director of COMTA Accreditation, at 202-688-6790, or via email at amyer@comta.org. You may also email the chair of the Commission at chair@comta.org. Be sure to check the COMTA website regularly for actions and alerts. The Commission updates all pertinent actions and alerts on its website.