This was a quantitative, descriptive study using a two proportion z-test. The purpose of this study was to explore if there was a proportional difference between massage therapy programs licensure success based on the presence or absence of institutional accreditation. This descriptive study allowed the researcher to gain more information about the massage therapy field of study, specifically the state average pass rate of 63% on the licensure exam in Ohio. This study also provided research that identifies possible areas of needed improvement in the current curricular requirements, while also justifying the current curricular requirements of the State Medical Board.

The research supported these results by rejecting the null hypothesis that the accredited and non-accredited institutions were proportionally equal. The findings suggest that institutional accreditation may have a significant effect on the massage therapy licensure pass rates in Ohio when proportionally explored. But although the research rejected the null hypothesis, the data results failed to prove that the State Medical Board curriculum insufficiently prepares students to sit for the licensure exam based on the maintenance of greater successes rather than failures in passage of these licensure exams for both institutional classes.