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MBLEx Explained

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%

20-22 questions Benefits and affects of techniques 17%

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

5-7 questions on Massage History 5%

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

11-13 questions on Guidelines for Professional Practice 10%

12-15 questions on Kinesiology 11%

16-18 questions on Anatomy & Physiology 14%

for a total of 125 questions each exam

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline M Curan on January 26, 2010 at 7:33am

Great info Mike. I took the MBLEx in April '09 and I found that the test did correlate to the content outline. I had followed the outline closely when i studied. The exam was very prectical, by that i mean it was on information that i would use in practice, not obscure information that i will never need or use. There were some questions that i didn't have a clue as to the answer but working through the possible answers worked for me. Thanks for putting this information out there i know test anxiety is huge and information is a good way to reduce that.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 26, 2010 at 8:51am

Thanks, Jacqueline! It's great to get feedback from those that have actually taken the exam. Glad you passed and if I can be of help, just holler!

Permalink Reply by Rainbow Magick on January 29, 2010 at 6:29pm

I just took the MBLEX last week & scored about 800. I studied for a few weeks & was quite nervous as I finished massage school 3 years ago. What a relief to have it over & done with! Now on to the state practical...

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 29, 2010 at 7:48pm

I noticed that you are the only state that has to take two massage tests. Utah has to take a State Law Test too.

Cara A. "Unity" Mulheron said:

I just took the MBLEX last week & scored about 800. I studied for a few weeks & was quite nervous as I finished massage school 3 years ago. What a relief to have it over & done with! Now on to the state practical...

Permalink Reply by laura z on February 4, 2010 at 6:40am

Mike, thanks for the information. I am still researching where I will go to school - whether to do in Miami before relocating, or wait until we decide upon Portland or Seattle for our relocation. Anyway, this was a great breakdown because most areas I'm looking at use the MBLEX and I have been curious about the exam.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 4, 2010 at 4:08pm

Keep researching. It will come to you.

laura z said:

Mike, thanks for the information. I am still researching where I will go to school - whether to do in Miami before relocating, or wait until we decide upon Portland or Seattle for our relocation. Anyway, this was a great breakdown because most areas I'm looking at use the MBLEX and I have been curious about the exam.

Permalink Reply by Kookie on February 6, 2010 at 11:01am

Is it under my understanding that Florida has to take both tests as well??

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 6, 2010 at 11:33am

You only have to take one. I took NCB. MBLEx did not exist when I graduated. There is no state test.

Kori Steinke said:

Is it under my understanding that Florida has to take both tests as well??

Permalink Reply by Gail Reed on November 20, 2010 at 1:01pm

Hi my name is Gail I have been lic. for 17 yrs in Det. Mi ,,,, I have to take the MBLEx test Dec 23.2010,, help ,,,I have studied so much . I am so scared

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lehman on March 7, 2011 at 7:47pm

Awesome information. I take the exam this late spring. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on March 7, 2011 at 9:16pm

You will do great, Jennifer! Confidence is key!!!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lehman on March 8, 2011 at 8:04am

Thanks, Mike...I have brain damage and memory loss due to an accident I was in. I will take all the confidence you can send my way! :-)

I was a paralegal for 20 years, and cannot remember my accident. My "brain doctors" at KU Med Center suggested I "find something else to do" so my career did not bring my wreck flooding back to me. I decided to "pay it forward" through massage. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenlehman