2026 Edition

BCETMB Practice Test

Try this free BCETMB Massage Therapist Practice Exam to study for your BCETMB massage therapist certification test.

Certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork enhances the credentials of a massage therapist for clients and employers. To receive the credential, a massage therapist must pass the BCETMB exam. There are 140 questions on the exam and two hours and forty minutes is given to complete it. The BCETMB exam covers the following topics:

Massage Modalities, Techniques and Manual Forces
Applied Science:Anaytomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Injury and Pharmacology
Professional Communication
Professionalism and Ethics
Law and Business Practices
Assessment

For a comprehensive practice test, use our 725 question Practice Exam for the BCETMB. It is written by instructors in massage therapy. Our interactive test platform allows you to simulate the exam. Take as many practice tests as you need. There's no time limit or recurrent charges.

For more information on the BCETMB and test prep, see the BCETMB Study Guide.

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1 What is the sequence of events that result in maintaining homeostasis?

a. Control System

b. Homeostasis System

c. Feedback System

d. Stimulus System

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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2 What body system is specific to the skin, nails, hair and sweat glands?

a. Integumentary System

b. Lymph System

c. Nervous System

d. Soft Tissue System

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

3 What body system includes the joints of the body?

a. Orthoscopic System

b. Skeletal System

c. Anatomical System

d. Bone, Muscle and Joint System

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

4 What body system carries the nutrients to tissues that need it?

a. Digestive System

b. Cardiovascular System

c. Lymphatic System

d. Lymph System

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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5 What body system helps the body conserve water and salt and maintains body fluid PH?

a. Cardiovascular System

b. Digestive System

c. Salivary System

d. Urinary System

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

6 What is the name for the standard body position?

a. Anatomical Position

b. Resting Position

c. Involuntary Body Position

d. Anterior Position

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

7 What are the major body regions?

a. Head, Neck, Trunk, Upper Extremity and Lower Extremity

b. Upper Region, Trunk, Lower Region

c. Skeletal Region and Soft Tissue Region

d. Facial, Abdomen, Arms and Legs

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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8 The anterior part of the lower leg is what region?

a. Thigh

b. Patellar Region

c. Sural Region

d. Crural Region

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

9 Which statement is incorrect about tendons?

a. Connects Muscle to Bone

b. Generally Dense Fibrous Tissue

c. Can Only be Taut

d. Inelastic

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

10 Diagnosing and prescribing are in the massage therapist's scope of practice.

a. True

b. False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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11 If a condition is considered a local contraindication, massage should be administered in that area.

a. True

b. False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

12 What is the cellular activity that generates energy from breaking down nutrients?

a. Catabolism

b. Metabolism

c. Anabolism

d. Homeostasis

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

13 What is critical to a successful client assessment?

a. Providing a form for the client to complete

b. Interview with the client

c. Completing a massage

d. Both a and b

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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14 During the client interview, which of the following areas should be covered?

a. Prior massage experience

b. Any issues with pain

c. What are the client's objectives

d. Any medical conditions

e. All of the above

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

15 What is informed consent?

a. Consent to have a friendship between the therapist and the client

b. A client's right to make a decision of whether you work on them or not and what you are to do.

c. A promise of confidentiality made to the client

d. Informing a client that they must consent to be given a massage

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

16 A therapist must consider both personal and professional boundaries. However, knowing the legal boundaries are outside of the scope of being a therapist.

a. True

b. False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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17 For massage therapy during pregnancy, it is recommended that the therapist avoid both deep tissue massage and strong pressure applied to the legs.

a. True

b. False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

18 NCBTMB standards include but are not limited to requiring that therapists: wear modest, clean and professional clothing; provide the client with an environment that meets all legal requirements for safety and health; keep their prices competitive and remain in good standing with NCBTMB.

a. True

b. False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

19 To find the ulna nerve, you should palpitate which of the following?

a. Medial epicondyle of the humerus

b. Calcaneus

c. Spine of scapula

d. Anterior margin of tibia

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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20 In which body cavity is the psoas muscle located?

a. Thoracic

b. Cranial

c. Abdominal

d. Pleural

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

21 Where does the stomach channel begin?

a. Below and in line with the pupil

b. At the base of the index finger

c. At the inside base of the large toenail

d. In the center of the axilla

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

22 Which part of the nervous system is activated in a fight-or-flight response to stress?

a. Parasympathetic

b. Sympathetic

c. Voluntary

d. Somatic

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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23 Lateral sprain at the ankle is caused by which of the following motions?

a. Inverted

b. Everted

c. Dorsiflexed

d. Plantarflexed

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

24 Psoriasis is best defined by which of the following conditions?

a. Contagious disease

b. Carcinoma

c. Chronic skin disorder

d. Chronic fungal infection

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

25 Blood levels of which of the following substances can be lowered with massage?

a. Parathyroid hormone

b. Epinephrine

c. Follicle-stimulating hormone

d. Somatotrophin

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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26 A client has arrived to your office who suffers from hypothyroidism. Which of the following steps should you take to make the client most comfortable?

a. Use a side lying position

b. Provide extra cervical support

c. Have the client take frequent bathroom visits

d. Warm the room temperature

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

27 The medial longitudinal arch should be palpitated where?

a. First metatarsal to calcaneus

b. Fifth metatarsal to calcaneus

c. Superior surface of the sacrum

d. Medial surface of the pelvis

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

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28 The medial epicondyle of the humerus is the bony prominence palpable on the medial side of the elbow.

True

False

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.