November 4 – 5, 2016 Commission Meeting
December 5th, 2016 Announcement of Commission Actions
To view this information as a pdf, click here: COMTA-Actions-December-05-2016
The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) has concluded its November 4 – 5, 2016 Commission meeting. An announcement was made on November 21st regarding actions taken. This notice is an addendum to that summary of actions.
Voluntary Withdrawal of Application for Accreditation
- Mecca School of Massage (Broadripple, IN) – Institutional – The school voluntarily withdrew from the accreditation process by ceasing operations on August 25th, 2016.
Revocation of Accreditation
- International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) (San Diego, CA) – Institutional
The Commission had placed the institution on Probation and ordered it to Show Cause why accreditation should not be revoked at the July 2016 meeting. The response from the institution did not demonstrate that certain standards of accreditation were being met, as listed below:
Standard VIII(C)(3) – Programs meet minimum benchmarks for completion and placement as established by the Commission, stipulated in the Student Outcomes Tracking Policy. Benchmark for Completion 65%.
The HHP and AS programs did not meet COMTA’s completion rate benchmark and the deadline for meeting the benchmark was exceeded.
Standard XI(B) Management Capacity – Institutions have qualified and adequately staffed management in place.
The Commission concluded, based on the record of correspondence with the institution, that at various times during the summer and fall of 2016, the institution did not have adequate qualified management in place at the institution.
Standard XII(A) Financial Stability – Institutions are adequately financed, and finances are administered competently and legally to ensure long-term stability.
1. A responsible financial management system ensures the continuance of the institution.
a. Financial books and bank accounts are separate from any other finances not connected to the institution.
b. Written policies and procedures exist to assure the safety, accountability, and effective use of financial resources.
2. The institution demonstrates a commitment to the financial resources for the education of all currently enrolled students in a program consistent with the standards.
a. Financial reports provide clear evidence of financial stability and sound fiscal practices (e.g., budget, tuition bond, letter of credit, audited or reviewed statements, history of income and reserves, current ratio of assets and liabilities).
b. Financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles, the COMTA Financial Reporting Guidelines, and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
The institution has not demonstrated that it meets COMTA’s standards for financial stability.
The Commission voted to revoke the accredited status for the institution, an action which is subject to appeal.
The institution remains accredited for ten days after the public notification of this action. The deadline for applying for appeal is December 15th, 2016. Notification of whether or not the institution intends to appeal will be posted on December 16th. If the institution appeals the revocation action decision, the accreditation status will revert to Probation and Show Cause during the appeal proceedings. If no appeal is pursued, the revocation becomes a final decision, effective on December 16th, 2016.