05/15/2026
The Department of Education is pushing a rule that could defund and shut down nearly 89 percent of massage schools. They are measuring part-time massage incomes against full-time four-year degrees... the math is just broken and it’s not even close to the reality of how our profession actually works.
Why does CBM care? ABMP is already projecting a massive workforce shortage if this goes through and AMTA reports show we already have more clients than therapists to address the growing demand for massage as legitimate healthcare. The future of our industry depends on a pipeline of highly skilled professionals who meet the entry-level standards and safety requirements set by the FSMTB and our state boards.
If we lose the schools we invite an influx of untrained and unlicensed workers that puts the public at risk and destroys the professional credibility we’ve spent decades building... and if the foundation of our educational safety crumbles we lose our seat at the table completely.
We stand 10 toes down on protecting these foundational schools. Hit the link below to read the ABMP talking points and submit your comment to the ED (and your Congress rep) before May 20th.
Help protect massage therapy and wellness-related programs by submitting a comment by May 20. Your perspective as a practicing professional (whether you received financial aid or not), a business owner, an educator, or a school leader carries weight, particularly with your congressional representati...
