International Students: Eligible For The Mblex Exam?

The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is a licensing test for prospective massage therapists in the United States. It is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is currently available in 46 out of 49 jurisdictions in the US that regulate massage therapy. The MBLEx is a crucial step in becoming a licensed massage therapist and is designed to assess the applicant's theoretical understanding of massage therapy and their practical skills and professional judgment. The examination covers various areas, including client assessment, ethics, laws, pathology, anatomy, and massage terminology. While there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can take the MBLEx, they must pay the full exam fee for each attempt. The MBLEx is only administered in the United States, and international applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements established by the FSMTB.

MBLEx exam eligibility requirements

The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is a licensing test administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for prospective massage therapists in the United States. The MBLEx is a crucial step in becoming a licensed massage therapist. It is a standard examination for students of Massage, assessing their foundational knowledge and understanding of therapeutic massage, and ensuring their competence and clinical skills.

To be eligible to take the MBLEx exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Have graduated or received education and training in all subject areas of the MBLEx Content Outline from an approved massage therapy education program recognised by the state board or agency where they intend to practice. This includes both school coursework and practical training in a wide range of massage techniques.
• Submit a complete MBLEx application, including the required fee, and ensure that their massage education program verifies their education directly with FSMTB.
• Acknowledge and agree to comply with all FSMTB examination policies and procedures.
• Provide two forms of identification (ID) at the test centre on the exam date, including a primary government-issued ID with a photograph and signature, and a secondary ID with a signature.
• Choose the language of the exam (English or Spanish) based on their state's requirements.
• Pay the MBLEx fee, which is currently $265.

It is important to note that the FSMTB does not limit the number of times a candidate can take the MBLEx, but they must pay the full exam fee for each attempt. Additionally, candidates should refer to the MBLEx Candidate Handbook for a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and other important information.

How to apply for the MBLEx exam

The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is a licensing test administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for prospective massage therapists in the United States. It is a requirement for licensure in most US states.

To apply for the MBLEx, you must follow the steps outlined below:

Create an FSMTB Examination Account:

Go to the FSMTB website and create your personal FSMTB examination account. This account is where you will manage your application, pay the exam fee, check the status of your application, request transfer exam results, and communicate with the FSMTB.

Review the MBLEx Candidate Handbook:

Before you apply, it is important to read through the MBLEx Candidate Handbook, which can be downloaded from the FSMTB website. This handbook provides crucial information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, fees, scheduling, exam content, and results.

Meet Eligibility Requirements:

Ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements established by the FSMTB. These requirements include having graduated or received education and training in all subject areas of the MBLEx Content Outline from an approved massage therapy education program recognized by the relevant state board or agency.

Complete and Submit Your Application:

Through your FSMTB examination account, access, complete, and submit your MBLEx application. Provide correct and current information, and pay the $265 exam fee. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Await Application Processing:

It takes up to five business days for FSMTB to process your complete MBLEx application. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email once your application is approved. This ATT will contain instructions for scheduling your examination.

Schedule Your Examination:

Using the instructions provided in your ATT, schedule your examination online or by phone with Pearson VUE. You must complete the exam within the date range specified on your ATT.

Remember, the MBLEx is a comprehensive exam covering areas such as client assessment, ethics, laws, pathology, anatomy, kinesiology, massage terminology, business practices, and the physiological effects of massage therapy. It is designed to assess your theoretical understanding, practical skills, and professional judgment in massage therapy and bodywork.

MBLEx exam content and preparation

The MBLEx is the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination. It is a national licensing exam that assesses whether an individual has the foundational knowledge to practice massage therapy safely and competently. It is a crucial step in becoming a licensed massage therapist. The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is currently used by 46 out of 49 jurisdictions in the US that regulate massage therapy.

Exam Content

The MBLEx is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), which means that the test changes as the candidate answers correctly or incorrectly. A correct answer will result in a more difficult follow-up question, while an incorrect answer will trigger an easier one. The exam is comprehensive and covers areas such as client assessment, ethics, laws, pathology, anatomy, kinesiology, massage terminology, business practices, the physiological effects of massage therapy, and massage documentation.

Preparation

The FSMTB provides study resources to facilitate exam preparation, and AMTA also provides a free online study guide and practice exams. It is recommended to begin studying 3-4 weeks in advance for 45-minute increments and to take practice exams to assess your progress. It is also important to review the eligibility requirements established by the FSMTB before applying for the exam. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, and you will have 110 minutes to complete it. You must answer all the questions, and you will receive a preliminary score report indicating your pass/fail status immediately after completing the exam.

MBLEx exam fees and payment methods

The MBLEx exam fee is \$265 per attempt, which covers the costs of administering the exam and processing the application. Applications are typically processed within five business days. The fee must be paid online before the application will be processed. Payment methods include credit card or payment voucher. If you choose to mail in your payment, be aware that this will delay your ability to schedule your exam until the payment has cleared.

The MBLEx is a licensing test administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for prospective massage therapists in the United States. It is a crucial step in becoming a licensed massage therapist and is currently used by 46 out of 49 jurisdictions in the US that regulate massage therapy. The exam is designed to ensure that therapists are competent and well-versed in essential skills and critical thinking necessary for client health and safety. It covers areas such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, client assessment, ethics, laws, and massage terminology.

The FSMTB does not limit the number of times you can take the MBLEx. However, you must pay the full exam fee for each attempt, so it is cost-effective to prepare thoroughly and pass the exam on the first try. If you do not pass the exam, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. During this time, you can study your graded exam and review the content of any practice tests you have taken.

MBLEx exam results and retakes

The MBLEx is a licensing exam administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for prospective massage therapists in the United States. It is a crucial test that ensures the competence and clinical skills of massage therapists to protect public health and safety. The exam covers areas such as client assessment, ethics, laws, pathology, anatomy, kinesiology, massage terminology, business practices, the physiological effects of massage therapy, and massage documentation.

The MBLEx is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), which means that the test changes as the candidate answers questions correctly or incorrectly. A correct answer will result in a more difficult follow-up question, while an incorrect answer will result in an easier one. The FSMTB does not provide information about what the passing score is, and test-takers will not see a numerical score on their results form. Instead, they will receive a printout immediately after completing the exam, stating either "PASS" or "FAIL". If a candidate fails the exam, they will receive a performance report indicating "Good", "Borderline", or "Low" performance in each of the MBLEx content areas. This report is intended to help structure the study plan for those needing to retake the exam.

If a candidate does not pass the exam after three attempts, they must provide proof of successfully completing additional clinical training or coursework to the board. If approved, the board will allow three additional attempts to pass the exam. There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can take the MBLEx, but they must pay the full exam fee ($265 application fee and a $20 testing fee) for each attempt.

Frequently asked questions