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| Step 1: Is Massage Right for Me?  Step 2: Get Certified Step 3: Massage Jobs Step 4: Launch Your Business
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The Importance of Massage School AccreditationUnderstanding the maze of accreditation and licensing regulations can seem overwhelming. But if you understand a few key points you can make sure you choose the best massage school. Massage school accreditation is a voluntary process. Quality massage schools prefer to go in for accreditation because it helps them build up their reputation. Students too prefer to enroll only with accredited massage schools, because a degrees or diploma/certificate from an accredited massage school adds weight to their resume. The process of accreditation requires that a massage school reveal its curriculum and open up its educational program to the accreditation agency for scrutiny and diligence checks. 
Accrediting OrganizationsAs of now, there are seven institutions that have been authorized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) to offer accreditation to massage schools. These institutions are (in alphabetical order):
The Importance of Massage School Accreditation
Accreditation vs. LicensingOnce a student has graduated from an accredited massage school, he must get a license from the state (also from county or city, if applicable) to practice massage. Attending an accredited massage school does not automatically mean that you will be licensed. Some states require that you pass written and practical examinations. So the accreditation helps convey the value of your education while the license gives you permission to work in a particular location. What are the state laws related to massage therapy?Most states have their own massage therapy laws (see our state licensing page for more details). The basic requirement for a massage therapist to get a license is that he must have completed a minimum number of hours during his diploma or degree course from an institution that is accredited or is approved by the state board. If a student is moving from one state to another and the state to which he is moving to requires more education hours than the state from where he is coming from, then the student will have to get the extra instruction and may need to take his exams all over again. Most American states require that a massage therapist should have passed either the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM). The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork conducts these examinations, and a student must opt for an examination that is valid in the state he is planning to live and work in. These examinations are also known as the National Certification Examinations (NCE). Apart from the state laws, there may be local licensing laws laid down by counties, towns or cities. Therefore, in addition to complying with the state laws, the massage therapist must comply also with all these laws before setting up his business. States that do not have massage therapy lawsOn last count there were 37 American states that regulated massage therapy. Statistics are not available on how many towns and counties have additional regulations on massage therapy. In case a massage therapist lives in or migrates to a state where massage therapy is not regulated, then he must first check how the local government bodies – county, city or municipality – regulate the practice of massage.
RecertificationNationally certified massage therapists need to either re-take the NCE every four years or record a certain number of continuing education hours during the four-year period, and these recorded hours must include professional ethics and massage sessions. States also have their own continued education requirements. For more details on state regulations, please see our state licensing page.
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Accreditation assumes importance for the college as well as the student. If a student obtains a diploma or a degree from a college that is not accredited, then employers and clients will view him with skepticism. They would rather trust a massage therapist who has passed out of an accredited college. A non-accredited college too will not get enough students to fill up its seats because of the reputation attached with a non-accredited college. You may also have trouble getting a license from the state if the state only recognizes COMTA accredited programs. 