Student Resources
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has issued an order closing the schools listed below. These closures were based on findings that the school engaged in serious violations of law and rule, including but not limited to fraud, falsification of records, or conduct that compromised the integrity of the licensure and examination processes.
As a result of this closure, TDLR is unable to automatically accept the education hours reported by the school for students. Education hours will not be credited toward licensure unless you provide independent, verifiable evidence demonstrating that you personally completed the required training in accordance with Texas law. This requirement applies to all students of the school, past and present.
This section lists all applicable Executive Orders closing schools. Please refer to the list below for all Massage Therapy School closures:
- Elm Institute – License #MS1076
- Wellness Education Center – License #MS1115
- Austin Massage Academy – License #MS1065
What Students Should Do if Impacted
If you attended one of the listed Massage Therapy Schools shown above your options for moving forward with your education to obtain a license are outlined below. You may either submit documentation to verify the hours you personally completed, or you may choose to voluntarily surrender those hours so you can enroll in another approved school.
All required forms and supporting documentation must be submitted to: student.response@tdlr.texas.gov
Option 1: Submit Additional Evidence to Verify Education Hours
If you wish to seek credit for education hours completed at the closed school, you must complete the Affidavit of Self-Certification of Education Hours, which can be accessed below.
In addition to the completed Affidavit of Self-Certification of Education Hours, you must submit the Verification of Education (VOE) Hours Questionnaire and provide documentation sufficient to independently verify that you personally completed the required training. Acceptable documentation may include official school records, statements from instructors or supervisors with direct knowledge of your training, records demonstrating travel to and from the school for in-person instruction, or other reliable, contemporaneous records clearly tied to your education.
TDLR will review all submitted materials and determine, in its discretion, whether they are sufficient to verify the reported hours. Submission of documentation does not guarantee that hours will be approved.
Option 2: Voluntarily Surrender Reported Education Hours
You may choose to voluntarily surrender the education hours reported by the school you attended. If you select this option, the student permit assigned to you will no longer be valid including any education hours that have been reported. A new student permit number will be issued and must be provided to the new school you plan to attend.
You may then enroll in another TDLR-approved school to complete the required education.
If you choose this option, you may complete and submit the Affidavit of Voluntary Surrender of Education Hours, which can be accessed below.
Student Resource Documents
