In late June the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced that it is discontinuing the assigned school status for massage therapy schools.  Once a school’s contract with NCBTMB expires, it will not be renewed.

Massage therapy schools have alternative options to have their education accredited under R 338.726(b) of the Massage Therapy - General Rules, such as supervised curriculum accredited by the accrediting body of the region in which the institution is located. This accrediting body must meet either the recognition standards and criteria of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the recognition procedures and criteria of the United States Department of Education (USDOE). Note: The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is approved by the USDOE.  Programs that have COMTA accreditation or endorsed status will be able to satisfy R 338.726.

Programs should be actively working toward ensuring that their educational standards meet the requirements of R 338.726 so that there is a smooth transition after the NCBTMB Assigned School Status expires. Students should communicate with their massage therapy school to ensure that their education will meet the requirements for licensure.

Lastly, for clarity, the Department and Board are updating R 338.726 to specifically include COMTA as an accreditor and endorser of massage therapy education. To receive updates on the rules process, please select “Sign-up for Email Alerts” at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions about the Massage Therapy – General Rules, you may contact LARA at BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov. If you have questions about massage therapy schools, you may contact the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) at PSS@michigan.gov.