How to Run a Massage School in South Dakota

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.

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.
  • 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)

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+

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*