MBLEx FAQs
The MBLEx is an exam administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) to provide a standard exam for massage students to guarantee safe and effective massage therapy and bodywork practices. The MBLEx is the national entry-level licensure examination which is currently used as a basis for licensure in 46 of 49 regulated jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The MBLEx consists of multiple-choice questions,. The MBLEx uses three-option multiple choice questions in addition to the four-option multiple choice questions on the exam.
There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the MBLEx.
You have 120 minutes to complete the MBLEx exam: The exam is 110 minutes, five minutes would be for the security and confidentiality agreement and five minutes for a brief survey.
You must complete the exam within the allotted time, or it will result in an automatic failure with no report generated.
The MBLEx is taken via a computer which is provided for you at a Pearson VUE testing location. Testing centers are located in most large cities and are administered by Pearson VUE. Each testing center has proctors and online cameras.
Examination results are reported as PASS or FAIL and not based on a numeric score.
The MBLEx covers the following seven domains:
- Client assessment, reassessment & treatment planning
- Benefits and physiological effects of techniques that manipulate soft tissue
- Pathology, contraindications, areas of caution, special populations
- Ethics, boundaries and laws and regulations
- Guidelines for professional practice
- Kinesiology
- Anatomy and physiology
The MBLEx was developed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), an autonomous, non-profit organization consisting of state regulatory boards and agencies which have regulated the massage therapy profession since 2005.
The MBLEx is offered on a daily basis, year-round at testing sites across the United States and US territories.
The MBLEx is the massage therapist profession's sole licensing examination. It provides a unified, nationally verified and entry-level standardof care in the massage therapy profession for the safe and skilled practice of massage and bodywork in the U.S.
The FSMTB will report your score to your state licensing body in order for you to receive your state massage therapy license.
Potential examinees must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for the examination:
- Must gain approval from the state licensing board or FSMTB, which typically includes reviewing the exam content and verifying education
- Must agree in writing to abide by FSMTB policies
- Must pay an exam fee
You must also meet educational and experience requirements to take the MBLEx. In order to sit for the MBLEx, an applicant must have:
- Been enrolled in and had received education and training in all subject areas of the exam, from an approved massage therapy education program.
- Graduated from an approved massage therapy education program which has been recognized or approved by the state board or agency which regulates the profession in the jurisdiction in which the program is located.
Go to the MBLEx webpage (fsmtb.org) to register. The FSMTB will verify your education via the FSMTB Education Verification Center (EVC). A completed application consists of the MBLEx application, fee and your EVC to have a complete application. Once the application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) with instructions to schedule your examination with Pearson VUE. You must complete the exam within the date range on your ATT.
Yes, the ATT will expire in six months from which you receive it, so you must take the exam within the date rage on your ATT. If your ATT expires, you will be required to reapply as a new applicant.
The FSMTB does not limit the number of times you may take the MBLEx. The jurisdiction in which you want to practice may impose a limit, however. You may retake the MBLEx after 30 days, reapplying as a new applicant.
You will receive your unofficial examination result at the test center immediately upon completion of the examination. FSMTB will send the official result to the designated state board or agency within 5 business days.
You will indicate on the MBLEx Application the state you wish your exam result to be sent to for licensure purposes.
No. Passing the MBLEx signifies that you have passed the licensing exam. Most states require you to pass the MBLEx in order to practice as a licensed therapist. A passing score on the MBLEx is usually one of several components for licensure in most states.
No, there is no need to renew the MBLEx, pay additional money or do continuing education to maintain your MBLEx score. However, a state licensing board or agency may have separate requirements to maintain licensure.
There will be questions which test the applicant's basic knowledge of various modalities. However, there are no modality or approach-specific questions related to Asian theory.
Practice tests, such as Tests.com's MBLEx Practice Exam, are a good way to study as it goes over the material you need to know while giving you a chance to practice your test taking skills. Additionally, study guides, text books, class notes, flashcards and videos are important study tools. It is best to use a wide range of test prep to get the most comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.
Tests.com has worked with instructors in massage therapy to create an MBLEx practice test to help you prepare for your massage therapy certification exam. Tests.com's TestSim online interactive platform allows you to tailor tests to the subjects you want to study and to form tests to fit your study schedule. You can even simulate the actual MBLEx exam by setting the number of questions and timer to the time period allowed for the actual test. Get experience reading multiple-choice questions and taking timed tests. Tests.com will help you pass your certification exam on your way to a successful career as a massage therapist. Click here for a free MBLEx practice exam.
