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

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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, Business ethics, Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology. The Content Outline for the MBLEx breaks down further the categories used for establishing the questions in the MBLEx.

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.

Board Members of FSMTB:

Alabama
Arkansas*
Florida*
Georgia*
Illinois
Iowa*
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Maine*
Massachusetts
Missouri
Mississippi*
New Hampshire
New Mexico*
North Carolina
North Dakota
New York
Ohio
Oregon*
Puerto Rico
South Carolina*
South Dakota*
Tennessee*
Texas*
Utah*
Virginia
Washington*
Washington DC
West Virginia*

*Accept the MBLEx

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

Tips on taking and passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (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.

What material to study for the MBLEx exam?:

* Realistically you should have a working knowledge of all materials covered in massage course curriculum. There is no secret method to passing, the Massage Exam Practice Testing Application will make you 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 your 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 what you are being tested for.

* When you have completed the MBLEx, review and check your answers if you have time. You are given two hours and thirty 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!