Online Massage Therapy Schools Information and Career Center

First of all, operating a massage school in washington, the requirements for massage therapy schools practice and education are overseen by the Board of Massage, part of the Washington State Department of Health.

Department of Health. Before board approval, you will have to be certified as a private vocational school.

Secondly, for you to start a massage therapy school in Washington.

And third of all, to start a

operating a massage school in Washington

must have a minimum of a 500-hour program approved by the

Washington State Board of Massage

.

Before board approval, you will have to be certified as a private vocational school by the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Obtaining Approval from the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Moreover, before applying to the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

You will need to obtain an Master Business License also from the state Department of Revenue/Licensing.

Register with the state Department of Revenue.

And so register with the Secretary of State’s office if you are going to be operating as an LLC or a corporation.

Also, you will have to meet any local requirements for business licensing.

You will have to review an online presentation for new schools.

And may attend a call-in conference or webinar for additional orientation information.

You will submit your application online.

And then mail in supporting documentation along with your fees.

Information That Will Be Required Includes:

• A business plan including
  • A school description with photos;
  • Management and operations;
  • Marketing and sales strategies;
  • Capital equipment and supply list;
  • Market and competitive analyses;
  • Loan information/credit line (if applicable);
  • Balance sheet;
  • Break-even analysis;
• School director;
• Program information, including hours;
• Estimate of gross tuition you will earn in the first year;
• Program description including
  • Title and specific program objective;
  • Outline showing sequence of courses;
  • Number of clock hours of instruction and how this is calculated;
  • Method(s) of instruction (lecture, lab, etc.);
  • Training, instruction aids and facility, including a sketch of the floor plan;
  • Type of completion document (certificate/diploma).
• Letter from the Board of Massage that your curriculum meets their standards.
• Draft catalog or brochure and checklist to show your list meets state requirements;
• If you admit students without a high school diploma or GED, an “Ability to Benefit Test”;
• Draft enrollment contract/agreement and checklist;
• Financial statement or personal tax return;
• Scored credit report;
• Three credit references;
• Apply for or provide a Dunn and Bradstreet number;
• A copy of your business license;
• Evidence of liability insurance;
• A copy of your lease;
• Student data collection form;
• Student transcript;
• Information on auxiliary locations, if applicable;
• A site visit (the Board of Massage also conducted it).

Once your application has been received and is complete.

Also, It will take 30 to 60 days for it to be processed also to be approved.

In addition, your school license will need to be renewed annually.

The annual license fee will be based on your gross tuition receipts and will range from $250 to $2,500.

You will be required to make payments to the Tuition Recovery Trust Fund for ten years.

Hence, these will also be based on your tuition receipts and will range from $305 to $16,757 for your first payment.

Obtaining Approval of Operating a Massage School in Washington  from the Board of Massage:

Your massage school curriculum will have to meet the requirements of the board

• 130 hours of anatomy and physiology, at least 40 of which are in kinesiology.
• 50 hours of pathology, including indications and contraindications.
• 265 hours of theory and practice of massage, no more than 50 of which can be in a student clinic.
• 55 hours of clinical/business practices including hygiene, record keeping, medical terminology, professional ethics, business management, human behavior, client interaction and state and local laws.
• 4 hours of training in HIV/AIDS.

You will need to provide evidence to the Board that your school meets eight standards:

• Curriculum – First of all, needs to meet or exceed the minimum requirements above, as well as an explanation of how your students will get first aid and CPR training.
• Academic Standards – Operating a Massage School in Washington provide policies for admission, graduation, measuring student progress, dismissal, withdrawal, and so the transfer of credits.
• Faculty – must be adequately qualified. You will need to provide policies regarding minimum competency standards for faculty, faculty involvement in creating curriculum and evaluating students resumes for each instructor, a list of courses taught by each instructor, and a non-discrimination policy.
• Student Clinic and Externship – provide theories regarding the role of student and instructor in a review of patient information and decision making on treatment, disclosure statement provided to clients, client intake form, and client feedback form.
• Health, Sanitation, and Facilities – So to provide a floor plan and photograph of your school facility, a floor plan and picture of your clinic facility (if offered), a list of equipment available to students in the classroom, a list of material available in the student clinic (if provided), and a list of library resources.
• Professional Conduct – Importantly, policy school on faculty and student conduct.
• Records – a sample student transcript and certificate of completion and policy on release of student records;
• Eligibility – provide a copy of your certificate of approval from the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Following Things Are Important For Operating a Massage School in Washington

Most of all, you will need to send your application to the board with three copies, also each in a 3-ring binder.

The applications must be submitted in the correct format also.

And at least five weeks before the meeting at which they will be reviewed.

Most importantly, two members of the board will review the application form.

Therefore, who will report their findings to the board at the next scheduled board meeting?

At that meeting, The Board will maybe approve your application or denied.

And the board may make a site visit to your school before approval and to ensure compliance with board requirements.

Most noteworthy, the site visit will consist of both a self-evaluation and a visit to the school by a board representative.

You will have to go through a re-approval process after three years, and then probably every five years after that.

Summary:

Also, for Operating a Massage School in Washington.

You need to have at least a 500 hours program that meets the requirements of the Board of Massage.

Before approval from the Board: You will have to obtain certification from the Workforce Development and Education Coordinating Board as a private vocational school.

However, Costs for licensure with the Workforce Development and Education Coordinating Board range from $250 to $2500 per year, based on your gross tuition receipts.

In conclusion, you will also have to make payments to the Tuition Recovery Trust Fund for ten years.

Links

Washington Board of Massage, Education Requirements

Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

How to Open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania, the requirements for massage therapy practice and also, education is overseen by the State Board of Massage Therapy.

A professional board under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Department of State.

And also, if you want to start a private massage school in Pennsylvania.

So you must have a minimum of a 600-hour program.

And also, your school must license or register as a Private Licensed School by the Board of Private Schools within the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Private Licensed School Registration from the Board of Private Schools

Before you apply for a school license, Pennsylvania requires that you attend a New School Applicant Orientation within the 12 months preceding your application.

However, the cost of the seminar is $300 per person.

The fee for a new license application is $7500, plus $750 for the site inspection and also, $1400 for additional program applications if you offer more than one program at your school.

Applications must submit electronically, but payments must be made via regular mail.

The New School Application for Pennsylvania is a 22-page spreadsheet.

You will be asked to provide information regarding:

• School type, name, address, contact information, and owners;
• Facility floor plan and certificate of occupancy.
• If more than one location is anticipated.
• you will have to pay an additional $500 for each added facility;
• Details of ownership and business structure, including background of owner(s);
• Surety bond or irrevocable trust;
• Business plan;
• Income and expenditure projections for the first year of operation;
• Assets and liabilities;
• Audited financial statement for owner(s);
• Evidence of capital;
• Signed ethics form;
• A records repository agreement;
• Director’s name, work experience and also, education;
• Information on admissions representatives, plus a $600 fee for each;
• Sample enrollment agreement and checklist;
• School catalogue.

New Program Application

And also, you will have to submit a New Program Application for each program your school will offer (up to three will consider at one time).

The New Program Application is also in spreadsheet format and also, asks for the following information:

• Title of program, length in hours, length in days, weeks or months, and also, cost of the program;
• Entrance requirements, occupational skills taught, career opportunities for graduates;
• Equipment to use;
• Instructors for each course taught;
• A list of job opportunities for your graduates;
• Course outline;
• Syllabus for each course;
• Facility floor plan;
• Instructor qualifications;
• Texts to use and their reading levels;
• Information on externships, if applicable;
• School catalogue.

School Licenses

After your application is reviewed you will be given 10 days to make any corrections or additions that the department requires.

So if not completed in time, your application will not be presented to the board for review until the next month.

Because you will have one year to complete your application successfully before the application expires.

Once the application is presented to the board, it can approve, approve pending revisions, deferred or denied.

If approved, you can launch your program immediately.

So if you are deferred or approved pending revisions.

So you have one year from the meeting date to submit revisions.

If denied, you will have to re-apply from the beginning.

School licenses must renew after the first year, and also, every two years thereafter.

The cost of renewal is based on your gross tuition receipts and also,  can range from $1,000 for schools with less than $5000 tuition receipts to $35,000 for schools with more than $1,000,000 tuition receipts.

Pennsylvania Board of Massage Therapy Requirements

So your school must offer at least 600 hours of massage therapy education.

That education must include

• 175 hours of Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology and Kinesiology;
• 250 hours of Massage Therapy and Bodywork Assessment, including Theory, Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Safety and Hygiene.
• 25 hours in Business and Ethics.
• The remaining 150 hours of Massage Therapy related topics, to meet the standards of the board, including CPR.

Externships and practice under indirect supervision may not include in the 600 hours.

The board also requires that your school report to incoming students, in writing, the annual passage rates for the school’s graduates in the licensing examination for the previous two years.

Schools who do not do this run the risk of losing their state approval.

Massage therapists who work at the school would also be at risk of discipline from the board and how to open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania board regulations list the knowledge base expected to be taught in massage school:

How to Open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania.

Knowledgebase

• Massage and bodywork assessment and application;
• Contraindications and also, precautions for massage therapy;
• Anatomy and physiology;
• Kinesiology;
• Pathology;
• Pennsylvania legal requirements;
• Business practices;
• Professional ethics;
• CPR, resulting in board-approved certification;
• Communicable diseases and universal precautions;
• Power differentials and other therapeutic boundary issues as they relate to client interaction;
• Fundamentals of human behaviour and respect for clients in the practice of massage therapy.

How to Open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania

Practical skills:

• Administer fundamental massage therapy for treatment of soft tissue manifestations of the human body;
• Safely utilize topical preparations, hydrotherapy, heat and cold methods, and movements that lengthen and shorten soft tissues within the client’s range of motion;
• Maintain safe and effective body mechanics in the practice of massage therapy;
• Locate and palpate muscle attachments, muscle bellies and also, other anatomical landmarks necessary for the practice of massage therapy;
• Use draping/coverage practices that address both function and safety;
• Development, implementation and modification of a massage therapy treatment plan;
• Obtaining informed consent;
• Effective interpersonal relationships in a professional setting;
• Ethical decision making;
• Establishing and maintaining an environment that provides for the client’s safety and comfort;
• Establishing and maintaining client records, business records, and professional records.

The board also requires that you maintain any records of services from your students’ clinical training program for three years after the student has completed the program.

Summary

So if you want to open a private massage therapy school and how to open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania.

And also, you must have a 600-hour program of instruction that meets the requirements of the Board of Massage Therapy.

Board of Private Schools must have a license for your school.

The licensing process may take as long as a year.

The fees for initial licensure are $7500, plus $750 for the site inspection.

And also, you will be required to have a surety bond.

Renewal of your license (after the first year and every two years thereafter) will cost $1000 or more, depending on tuition receipts.

Your admissions representatives will also need to register with the Board of Private Schools, at a cost of $600 each.

Links

Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy

Pennsylvania Board of Private Schools

Private School Rules In Pennsylvania

How to Open a Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania.

How to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island, the requirements for massage therapy practice and education are overseen by the Department of Health.

So if you want to start a private massage school in Rhode Island.

you must have a minimum of a 500-hour program and either be accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or have a program that is considered equivalent by the state of Rhode Island.

An equivalent program is one that is approved by the state and also, meets the curriculum outline in the massage therapy rules and regulations.

As a proprietary school, you will also have to be approved by the state of Rhode Island’s Board of Governors for Higher Education (BGHE).

Approval from the Board of Governors for Higher Education

Obtaining approval to operate a postsecondary private career school in Rhode Island is a three-step process:  (1)  Pre-application process (2) Initial approval application (3)  Annual approval renewal.

The pre-application process requires that the Rhode Island Office of Higher Education (RIOHE) review and also, assess the financial condition of your school.

So you will be asked to submit the following information:

• Organizational documents for the proposed school and also, for any entity that owns the school;
• Business plan for the school;
• Contact information for your school’s bank, lawyer, an accountant/auditor, along with permission for them to discuss your school with the RIOHE;
• The most recent audited financial statements for your school and any entity that is an owner;
• Personal financial statements for the school’s owner(s);
• Current annual tax return for the school and its owner(s);
• Projected income for the first year of operation, with detailed assumptions regarding revenues and also, expenses;
• Projected balance sheet at the end of the first fiscal year;’
• Opening projected balance sheet for the school, including how much money the owner(s) will contribute as capital and nature thereof;
• Projected statement of cash flow at the end of the first fiscal year.

After review of these documents, and any additional documentation requested by RIOHE.

they will determine if you have sufficient financial resources to start the school.

If they deem that you do, you will be allowed to proceed with the Initial Approval Application.

Once you have been authorized to proceed, you will have to submit your initial approval application at least six months before you intend to open your school.

There is a $1,000 non-refundable application fee.

You will also have to submit a surety bond amount in an amount of $10,000 or more, based on your expected tuition receipts.

MIST – How to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island

With your completed application, you will ask to submit the following material (you do not have to resubmit material sent in during the pre-application process unless the RIOHE determines that your previous submissions are not current).

• Completed and notarized anti-discrimination compliance agreement;
• Names and titles of office holders and copies of organizational documents for the school and also, any entity with ownership in the school;
• Copies of written policies pertaining to conflicts of interest;
• At least three written letters of reference for the officers and also, chief administrator attesting to good character and other qualifications;
• Personnel information for the instructors and chief administrator;
• Proposed catalogues, circulars, application forms and enrollment agreements;
• Schedule of proposed tuition and fees;
• Proposed calendar for a year, showing school term, holidays, vacations, and enrollment dates;
• Curriculum for your program, showing content of courses and knowledge and skills to learned;
• Proposed certificate or diploma;
• Proposed forms for record maintenance;
• Financial statements for the school and the owners;
• Proposed advertising and promotional materials;
• Business plan for the school;
• Tax returns for the school and the owners;
• Copies of lease agreements for facilities;
• Certificates of approval from fire marshal, building inspector and health department;
• Letter from the state building commission certifying ADA compliance;
• Accreditation or approvals of your school by recognized agencies or associations;
• Evidence of initial collaboration with an existing school for a teach-out plan, should your school close.
• A final document of agreement must submit six months after initial approval;
• Articles of Incorporation;
• Any other documents RIOHE requests.

Regulations Governing Proprietary Schools in Rhode Island

Your documents must meet the standards in the Regulations Governing Proprietary Schools in Rhode Island.

You may require paying a consulting fee to have your program reviewed by an outside consultant chosen by the RIOHE.

Once you have corrected any deficiencies in your application.

A site visit will schedule to inspect your facilities.

After that, RIOHE will make a recommendation to the Academic and Student Affairs committee of the Board of Governors.

Once endorsed by the committee and approved by RIOHE, the commissioner will make a recommendation to the Board of Governors at a regular RIBOGHE meeting.

The Board of Governors must approve your application before you can begin operating.

Each year on August 31 the approve the renewal application.

The renewal fee is $100.

In order to renew, you will have to submit updated documents and financial information.

As well as information regarding your enrollment and completion statistics, your graduates’ pass rate on their licensing examination.

And also,  job placement information for your graduates.

Becoming an Accredited School with COMTA

Accreditation is an outside review of your school and programs by a panel of massage therapy professionals.

The COMTA accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Prior to applying for COMTA accreditation.

A school must legally organize and also, approved by the state, how to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island.

In addition, COMTA requires that your school also have at least 5 students enrolled, offer instruction on the post-secondary level.

and require completion of at least 600 hours of education to obtain a certificate.

The benefits of accreditation are that your school has been certified to meet certain minimum standards in preparing students for licensure as professional massage therapists.

It also allows your school to accept federal student financial aid funds, allowing more students to be able to afford the program.

Review of your program by COMTA  will require a significant financial and time investment.

The cost will be a minimum of $7775 in fees.

You will have to submit an application, take an online course, complete a self-study report, undergo an on-site visit.

and then wait for a findings report and response, as well as deliberation and decision.

It can take one to two years to complete the accreditation process.

In addition to the fees listed above, maintaining accreditation requires an annual sustaining fee of $1500 plus $30 per enrolled student.

How to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island Curriculum Requirements

Your school must offer at least 500 hours of massage therapy education.

That education must include

• 100 hours of Anatomy and Physiology theory;
• 300 hours of Massage Therapy Theory and Practice, including applied Anatomy and Physiology;
  • At least 150 of these hours must be in the practice of massage;
• The remaining 100 hours of Massage Therapy related topics, including CPR, first aid, business, law, ethics and professionalism.

Summary

If you want to open a private massage therapy and how to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island.

Department of health requires 500 hours or program of instruction for accredited by COMTA.

And also, your school must also approve by the Board of Governors for Higher Education.

Your application will take approximately six months from the time you submit until you approve to begin operation.

The fees for applying for approval from the BGHE is $1000.

There is a $100 annual renewal fee.

If you choose to pursue COMTA accreditation, you will need to have at least a 600 hours program.

And undergo their 1-2 year approval process that will cost nearly $8000.

Links

Rhode Island Department of Health  Massage Therapy Information

Rhode Island Massage Therapy Rules and Regulations

COMTA

Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education

Regulations Governing Proprietary Schools in Rhode Island

How to Open a Massage School in Rhode Island

How to Run a Massage School in South Dakota, the requirements for massage therapy practice and education are overseen by the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy, a division of the Department of Health.

So if you want to start a private massage school in South Dakota and want it recognized by the board.

And also, you must have a minimum of a 500-hour program that meets the requirements of the board.

In addition, your school must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education.

Obtaining Accreditation

The South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy will recognize programs that are accredited by one of the following agencies.

Each agency has its own requirements for accreditation.

Below is a brief summary of each agency’s requirements for beginning accreditation and also, approximate associated time and costs.

All the agencies have a similar procedure for applying, although there can be additional steps or variations.

1. Contact the agency to ensure that you meet their application requirements.
2. Attend a workshop or seminar to learn the process and requirements for accreditation.
3. Complete a self-assessment and/or initial application.
4. Have the application reviewed by the agency?
5. Have a site visit from the agency.
6. Make modifications or additions to your program based on feedback from the agency.
7. Resubmit application with changes.
8. Recommendations for approval or denial.
9. Accreditation received.
10. Maintain accreditation through continued renewals.

Massage Therapy Accreditation

• Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
  • The program reviewed by a panel of massage therapy professionals.
  • Must be legally organized and approved by the state (South Dakota has no approval process for private post-secondary schools.
  • And also, you do have to register with the state as a business).
  • Have at least 5 students enrolled?
  • Have at least a 600 hour program.
  • One to two years to complete.
  • Approximately $8000 or more for the complete approval process.

• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
  • Must be legally organized and approved by the state.
  • Have been in business for at least two years.
  • Demonstrate financial stability.
  • Current enrollment of 10 or more students.
  • Must be a corporation, limited partnership with a corporate general partner or limited liability corporation.
  • Cannot be a sole proprietorship or partnership.
  • Fees of $9000 or more for the complete approval process.

• National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)
  • The school must be licensed as a post-secondary institution and currently training students.
  • So must have been in operation for at least 18 months.
  • Approximately $7000 fees for the complete approval process.

How to Run a Massage School in South Dakota

• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
  • Meets applicable state licensing requirements.
  • Have been in operation for two years.
  • Have graduated at least one class.
  • Under the same ownership for at least two years.
  • Have a record of responsible financial management for at least two years.
  • Approximately 12 months to attain accreditation.
  • Approximately $8000 fees for the approval process.

• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSCT)
  • Have been in operation for at least two years.
  • So must have graduated at least one student.
  • In compliance with state, local and also, federal regulations.
  • Financially sound.
  • 18 months to 2 years to complete accreditation.
  • At least $11,000 fees for the approval process.

• Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
  • At least 51% of the classes must be distance education.
  • This is unlikely with a massage school format where hands-on instruction is needed unless you also offer other programs.

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Appears to only accredit institutions that grant degrees.
  • This is unlikely for a proprietary massage school that does not offer other degrees.

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  • Operating legally within the state of South Dakota.
  • In operation for at least two years.
  • Has students enrolled in the program?
  • Has graduated at least one class.
  • 18 to 24 months to complete the initial accreditation process.
  • Fees of $17,000 or more for the approval process.

Requirements of the South Dakota Board

South Dakota requires a minimum of 500 hours of education and training, that is distributed so that you provide

• 125 hours of training in the body’s systems, anatomy, physiology and kinesiology;
• 200 hours of training in massage and also, bodywork assessment, theory, and application;
• 40 hours of training in pathology;
• 10 hours of training in business and ethics, 6 of which must be ethics;
• 125 hours in an area or field that theoretically completes a massage program of study.

Summary

And also, if you want to open a private massage therapy and how to run a Massage School in South Dakota.

So you must have a 500-hour or more program of instruction that meets the requirements of the Board of Massage Therapy.

And also, you will have to get your program accredited by an agency approved by the US Department of Education.

Most of the accreditation agencies require that your school be operating for two years before applying for accreditation.

The cost of accreditation runs from $7,000 to $17,000 or more and can take 12 to 24 months to complete.

Links

South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSCT)

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

Operating a Massage Therapy School in Virginia, the requirements for massage therapy practice and also,  education is overseen by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

In order for you to start a massage therapy school in Virginia whose graduates are eligible to apply for a Virginia massage therapy license.

So you must have a minimum of a 500-hour program approved by the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia.

Obtaining Approval from the State Council for Higher Education

Office of Private & Out of State Postsecondary Education (POPE) must apply for obtaining approval from your school.

New School Orientation Session will require attending by you before submitting an application

Because these are scheduled monthly by the POPE.

And also, you will have to register for the session and also, pay the $150 registration fee, or your school application will not be accepted.

However, the second step in the application process is to complete and submit the application itself, with required documents and fees.

MTSI – Operating a Massage Therapy School in Virginia.

The application will require you to provide information on

• Your school’s name, address, and location;
• Accreditation status – you will be required to have a plan to pursue accreditation if you have not already been accredited;
• School Ownership;
• Surety Bond or Clean Letter of Irrevocable Credit the amount of Surety is calculated using a worksheet provided in the application packet.
• The amount is dependent on your projected enrollment and tuition receipts.
• The minimum surety amount is $5,000;
• Estimated annual enrollment;
• Credentials to be offered;
• Draft of student handbook;
• Sample advertising and promotional materials;
• Sample enrollment agreement;

Furthermore

• Institutional plan report;
• School catalogue;
• If incorporated in Virginia, the State Corporation Commission certificate;
• Your local business license;
• A Certificate of Occupancy for your facility;
• A Truth-in-Lending statement if you are going to allow students to make instalment payments.
• Certificate, Diploma or Degree Program Information form, listing all programs, their hours and credentials awarded;
• A New Program Approval Form that shows that your curriculum meets state and industry standards and your faculty meets appropriate standards of licensing and experience;
• A three-year projected accounting budget;
• An Acknowledgment of Prior Postsecondary Involvement Form to disclose any previous involvement of owners or board members in another school;
• An Administrator Qualification Form – with education and also, work experience of your administrator;
• An Instructor Qualification Form for each instructor;
• A Career-Technical Institution Plan Report – detailing the operations and financial projections for your school.

You will have to submit the entire application in a 3-ring binder with a table of contents and clearly marked dividers and Operating a Massage Therapy School in Virginia

School Application Fee

So the new career school application fee is $2,500.

And also, you will need to pay $300 for the Initial Name Acknowledgment.

Following receipt of your application, a representative of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will conduct a site visit.

Upon completion of an acceptable application and also, site visit, a recommendation will be made to the SCHEV board at its next board meeting.

At that time you will receive your certification and also, can begin operation.  Your school will need to be recertified annually.

The recertification fee is based on your annual gross tuition receipts from the previous year.

Massage School Accrediting Bodies

As a career school in Virginia, you will have to pursue accreditation as part of maintaining your certification from the POPE.

The following organizations provide accreditation to massage schools:

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
• Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
• Accrediting Council for Independent Schools and Colleges (ACICS)
• National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)

Each accrediting agency has different requirements.

In most cases, you have to open the school first before beginning the accreditation process.

Some allow you to begin the process once you have students enrolled.

Others require that you have been in business for more than two years and/or have graduated students before beginning the accreditation process.

Because the cost of accreditation ranges from around $8,000 to more than $28,000.

The time from application to accreditation may range from 18 months to 2 years or more.

During that time you can expect to attend mandatory workshops, have your books audited, have your school inspected.

And also, possibly make revisions to comply with accreditation standards.

Summary

To Operating a Massage Therapy School in Virginia, you need to have at least a 500-hour program that meets industry standards.

And also, you will have to obtain certification from the  State Council for Higher Education for Virginia, Office of Private & Out-of-State Postsecondary Education.

The application process requires attendance at an orientation session, sending in an application and required fees, and a site visit.

The cost of initial approval is about $2,800.

Your school will need to be recertified annually.

The recertification fee is based on your annual gross tuition receipts from the previous year.

Links

Virginia Massage Therapy Information

Virginia  Office of Private & Out-of-State Postsecondary Education