The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

The MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) is governed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). It is designed to provide a standard examination for students of Massage for entry-level professional scope of practice in gaining licensure. The FSMTB was established in 2005 with the intent to build a support system for the Member Boards. Their goals from the beginning were to work towards cooperating in implementing regulations and procedures for the requirements to establish safe and effective Massage Therapy and Bodywork practices. Hence, the organization of the MBLEx. The Federation initially wanted to work with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. However, the NCBTMB felt their exams didn’t need improving and opted out on the union. 

The MBLEx is not set up to trick or deceive you, there is only one real answer.  You will have 2.5 hours to answer 125 multiple-choice questions. If you take breaks your time doesn’t stop. The examination is scored on a scale starting at 300 ending at 900, a passing score of 630 implies a minimum standard for competent practice as a Massage Therapist. The diagnostic information for each category and your numbered score will be given to you at the testing center when your exam is completed.

The exam has eight concentrated areas of content; Client assessment and treatment plans, Benefits and affects of techniques, Pathology with contraindications and cautions, Massage History, Ethics- Boundaries- Laws & Regulations, Guidelines for Professional Practice, Kinesiology, Anatomy & Physiology. The Content Outline for the MBLEx breaks down further the categories used for establishing the questions in the MBLEx.

The breakdown of the massage questions on the MBLEx is as follows:

20-22 questions on Client assessment and treatment plans 17% (Assessment)

20-22 questions Benefits and affects of techniques 17% (Application)

15-17 questions on Pathology with contraindications and cautions 13% (Pathology)

5-7 questions on Massage History 5% (CAM)

15-18 questions on Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations 13% (Professional)

11-13 questions on Guidelines for Professional Practice 10% (Professional)

12-15 questions on Kinesiology 11% (A&P)

16-18 questions on Anatomy & Physiology 14% (A&P / Body Systems)

for a total of 125 questions each exam

MBLEx Fees:

$195.00. If you fail the exam you will have to apply and pay the fees again.

So on average the MBLEx:

Assessment: 17% or 21 questions
Applications: 17% or 21 questions
Pathology: 13% or 16 questions
History (CAM): 5 % or 6 questions
Professional: 23% or 28 questions
A&P/Kinesio/Body: 25% or 28 questions

Here you can see where the MBLEx focuses their content and therefore can focus your studies to that effect. The highest concentration is in the A&P/Kinesio/Body and Professional sections, followed closely by the Assessment and Application (as it should be). The Pathology and history questions are helpful to know, so you have knowledge of your client's conditions and are able to make connections on how the massage history affects our professional community as a whole today. However, when you are studying, it is important to note the content weight in order to better prepare yourself for the exam.

To use our site effectively it is best to review the content of your graded exams. When you have finished your practice test and receive your score, you're not done. Check each question and find out why you missed it, was it because you didn't read the question correctly or missed one qualifying word? Even if you answer the question correctly, read the rationale, there may be further insights that can help you in the long run with a deeper understanding about the subject or an easier way to remember the content.

Check over your review tests, you might not be breaking down the question effectively. Now is the time to practice reading each word slowly. It even helps to read the question each time putting the next answer to see if it registers anything in your knowledge base. If you take your time on each word, focusing on the overall relevancy, you will train your brain to pick out the best possible answer. Visualize the muscle where it's at in relation to the body, see the direction of the fibers, recall the origin and the insertion (more moveable attachment) and run through the available actions of that muscle. Practice using scrap paper to write things down. Sometimes writing them down will trigger the information you are looking for. When you take the exam at Pearson VUE they will give you paper and pencil to use while you take the exam and then ask for it back when the exam is complete.

It is also best in your preparations to study at least an hour each day. Not just taking practice tests, use them to find a subject matter you need to learn more about and read from your books about it. Try to make deeper connections in regards to the body relationship as a whole. As you continue to do so you will find that you can recall information faster and with more accuracy.

To be qualified to take the MBLEx you must first find out if your state accepts this exam as part of your licensing requirements. If yes, then you may apply directly with FSMTB or through your state licensing board or agency. The fee required to take the exam is $195 due with the submittal of your MBLEx application. If you apply through your state licensing board or agency you do not need to fill out and send the application to FSMTB, the board or agency does all this.

Filling out and sending in the application does not guarantee that you are accepted to take the MBLEx. You must wait for a NTS (Notice to Schedule) through your email sent directly from the FSMTB. If your state board or agency has sent in your eligibility information you will get a payment voucher that you must return in order to receive the NTS. Then you may set up an appointment to take the exam with Pearson VUE. You must take the exam within 90 days of receiving the NTS, or you will be required to go through the application process again, including fees.

MBLEx Survey Results

The Massage-Exam.com website is a resource for basic Massage information about our online practice exams and other links to major Massage organizations. We are not affiliated with NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP, IMA or AMC. Information gathered from these organizations websites is to help educate and inform our fellow Massage Therapists.

Tips on taking and passing the MBLEx:

These tips have been gathered from dozens of resources. They can be applied to the MBLEx as well as any test structured in the same format.

Material to study for the MBLEx:

* Realistically you should have a working knowledge of all materials covered in your massage curriculum. There is no secret method to passing the Exam. The Massage Exam Practice Testing Application will help you become familiar with the format and content of the multiple choice questions. You can solidify the concepts of massage assessment and application by studying the massage answer rationales that accompany every question.

* Even though the MBLEx has a minimum passing threshold, you should strive to learn more than just what is necessary to pass the exam. Reading the rationale that accompanies every question on Massage-Exam, will help further your knowledge and open your understanding to the concepts taught from your text. Thereby building confidence in your personal abilities as a Massage Therapist, bringing a strong foundation for your new career.

The days before the MBLEx:

* Be sure to eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water the days before the massage exam. Try to include B vitamin foods in your meals like oatmeal, bananas and raisins.

* Do not try to cram for the massage exam. This is not an affective way of preparing for an exam. If you don't know the information you need the night before the exam, you are not going to know it after a day or night of cramming. Get some sleep or just relax the day or night before the exam instead of cramming. The rest will do more for you than pouring over text books and sample massage exam questions.

* Do not eat a sugar loaded meal or drink a lot of coffee before your exam. This will only add to existing test anxiety.

* Study for your massage exam regularly over several weeks to get the best results from your test preparation.

* Download a map of the testing center location and arrive early to eliminate the stress of being late. Being late for the MBLEx is not tolerated and you will have to reschedule. You must be approved and signed up for the MBLEx, you can't just walk in to the testing center and request to take the exam. You can only bring your photo ID and a couple of pencils. Scrap paper will be provided for you in the testing area along with pencils if you are in need. These items must be returned at the end of the exam. Some testing facilities may even have a locker issued to you for your personal belongings to be stored during the exam.

* Dress in multiple layers when you go to take your exam so that you can take off what is not necessary if you are too warm. The temperature of the testing center can change during the day especially if the exam is held in a seldom used room or building.

* Use the restroom before you start the exam.

While taking the MBLEx:

* Use caution with questions that contain words like always, except, never, most appropriate and other words that qualify a question. Watch out for words that put limitations on a potential answer.

* Be sure to read the entire massage question completely at least two times and then formulate the correct answer in your head before you take a look at the multiple choice answers. If you look at the choices of answers before you understand the question entirely, you may be lead into choosing a wrong answer.

* There are four possible answers to each massage question. Two of the answers can often be eliminated right off the bat after reading the question through two times. Once these two answers are eliminated, you only need to decide the "best possible answer" between the two remaining choices.

* Don't over think or complicate the question. Do not add elements into questions that are not already written into it. These things can cause you to overlook the basics of the question, which is usually what you are being tested for.

* When you have completed the massage exam, review and check your answers if you have time. You are given two hours and forty minutes to complete the exam so you should have a while to review it after you have completed it. There is most certainly at least one question that you read incorrectly. Do not spend your review time waiting out in the car for your friend to get done.

* Don't forget to breathe!