Opening a Massage School in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the requirements for Opening a Massage School in Wisconsin or massage therapy practice and an education is overseen by the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Affiliated Credentialing Board, managed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

For you to start a private massage therapy school in Wisconsin.

So you must have a minimum of a 600-hour program that meets the Massage Board’s requirements and is approved by the Educational Approval Board.

Obtaining Approval from the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board

And also, before beginning the approval process, so you will have to contact the Educational Approval Board (EAB) and also, speak with one of the School Administrative Consultants.

Because these consultants will provide you with additional guidance on the process involved.

And also, Wisconsin has an online guide for schools seeking approval.

When you submit your application, you will be required to provide:

  • An Institutional Plan – encompassing your educational and also, business objectives and addressing five topics:
    • Vision – Your school’s purpose and core values;
    • Market – School’s target students; what distinguishes you from your competitors;
    • Management – School management team structure and function;
    • SWOT – Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats;
    • Future thinks – So, how will your school look in five years; position in the marketplace, evaluation of goals.
  • School Operation and Governance Form, providing information on your school’s management, operation, and governance.
    • Institutional contacts;
    • Incorporation or partnership documents;
    • Mailing addresses for owners and school;
    • Organizational chart;
    • History – if school has been in operation previously;
    • Name, qualifications, job history, and also, the background of school’s chief administrator.
  • Fiscal Soundness and Stability
    • Complete balance sheet template and income statement template with projections for the first year of operation.
  • Surety Bond – $25,000 or 125% of free tuition that the school holds at one time, whichever is less.
  • Facility Information
    • Type of building;
    • General purpose of building;
    • A list of other tenants, if applicable;
    • Approximate age and original use of building;
    • Changes to the original structure and approximate completion dates of these changes;
    • Certificate of Occupancy and fire inspection report;

What More?

  • Personnel
    • Most importantly, qualifications required for instructors and faculty members;
    • Also, background form or CV/resume for each instructor.
    • For each person who will recruit for the school off-site, a representative permit is required.
  • Advertising and Promotional Material
    • Each piece of advertising and promotional materials that you intend to use in the state of Wisconsin. Must meet Wisconsin EAB standards.
  • Enrollment Agreements/Contracts
    • A copy of your enrollment agreement and a checklist to ensure it meets Wisconsin requirements.
  • Customer’s Right to Cancel
    • A copy of your statement that is given to enrolled students letting them know they can cancel their contract within three days.
  • Curriculum and Program Information
    • So, detailed program outline, course syllabi, lists of textbooks, instructor manuals, sample lesson plans, and a description of program testing and assessment. Less information may be required if your program has been accredited or approved by another state.
    • Moreover, you may hire an expert to evaluate your program and submit the evaluation along with your application. If you do not, the EAB may hire an outside consultant to review your curriculum if they do not have an in-house person who can evaluate it properly.  This may add time and expense to your evaluation.
  • School Catalog
    • A copy of your proposed catalog and a checklist to ensure it complies with Wisconsin standards.
  • Application Checklist and Statement of Submission – ensuring your application is complete.

Take Up to 70 Days After Your Application

Moreover, an initial review by the EAB may take up to 70 days after your application and also, accompanying materials are received.

Probably, you will then have 60 days to make any revisions needed.

So if you do not meet the 60-day deadline then you will have to resubmit your application and fees.

The fee for initial approval of one non-degree program is $2000.

And School representatives also need to obtain a permit, at the cost of $200.

So your first renewal fee will be $500, after which your renewal fee will be based on your gross tuition receipts.

And also, you will have to pay a student protection fee, again based on your tuition receipts.

Requirements of the Massage and Bodywork Affiliated Credentialing Board

Your massage school curriculum will have to meet the needs of the board:

  • 125 hours in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology;
  • 50 hours in business, law, and ethics, including 6 hours of Wisconsin laws and rules;
  • 300 hours in massage therapy theory, technique and practice, including 100 hours of supervised hands-on practice;
  • 20 hours of student clinic;
  • 5 hours of CPR and first aid;
  • 100 hours in other coursework related to massage.

Anatomy, physiology, and pathology instructors must have:

  • Professional training and two years experience in a health-related field OR
  • Two years of post-secondary education and training.

Massage therapy instructors must have:

  • Hence, two years experience as a practicing professional OR
  • Also, formal training as massage therapy or bodywork instructor.

Summary For Opening a Massage School in Wisconsin

As well as,  a result, to start a private massage therapy school in Wisconsin, your school needs to obtain approval from the Educational Approval Board, as well as meet the requirements of the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Affiliated Credentialing Board.

So the cost of the application to the Educational Approval Board $2,000.

Finally, annual renewals are based on your gross tuition receipts, as are payments into the student protection fund and also, you will be required to maintain a surety bond.

Links

Wisconsin Massage Therapy Rules and Regulations

Wisconsin Educational Approval Board

Neal Lyons is a founding member and volunteer contributor at the MTSI Institute, an information based portal dedicated to guiding and assisting aspiring massage therapists establish a successful career in massage. Neal is a published author and has collaborated on several mobile applications that serve the massage profession. You can view his published work on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and on Google+

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