Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
To apply for the MBLEx, a candidate must submit an application, pay the fee and the applicants' massage therapy education program must verify your education via the FSMTB Education Verification Center.
By submitting a completed MBLEx application, the applicant acknowledges that they have reviewed the Content Outline (Content Outline - Español), and attests they have both the education and training in the subject content areas.
Additionally, the applicant agrees to abide by the policies and procedures established communicated by FSMTB and found in the MBLEx Candidate Handbook (MBLEx Manuel Del Candidato). This includes all policies regarding examination irregularities, cheating and examination results.
The FSMTB governs and administers the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). It serves the massage therapy and regulatory communities as the national entry-level licensure examination. The MBLEx is currently utilized for licensure in 46 of 49 regulated jurisdictions. These include the District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The MBLEx is administered in both English and Spanish by Pearson VUE, the global leader in electronic testing services, at high-security test centers located throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.
To ensure that the MBLEx reflects current practice, FSMTB conducts a Job Task Analysis (JTA) Survey every five to seven years. The JTA seeks input from massage and bodywork professionals across the United States. This data is then used to analyze and revise MBLEx content as deemed necessary by the profession, guided by psychometric professionals.
The FSMTB is in the process of analyzing results from the most recent JTA, which was conducted in July of 2017. To view past survey results, please visit the Exam Content page.
Please note: passing the MBLEx is only one of the steps necessary for licensure in your state. Please check with your state licensing board or agency regarding the licensure requirements for the state in which you plan to practice.
FSMTB Massage Education Policy
Effective July 1, 2017, candidates seeking access to the MBLEx will be required to substantiate either:
a. enrollment in and having received education and training in all subject areas of the MBLEx Content Outline from an approved massage therapy education program; or
b. graduation from an approved massage therapy education program.
Substantiation documentation must be submitted to FSMTB directly from the education program.
An approved massage therapy education program is one that is approved or recognized by the state board or agency authorized to regulate massage therapy in the state in which the school is located.
In the event the massage therapy board/agency does not approve or recognize education programs, approval or recognition from the relevant state department of education or like agency, in the state in which the school is located, shall apply. In the event of a conflict between the state board/agency and department of education, the approval or recognition of the massage therapy board/agency shall prevail.
In the event the massage therapy board/agency does not approve or recognize education programs, and there is no approval or recognition from the relevant state department of education or like agency, in the state in which the school is located, the massage therapy education program must obtain approval from FSMTB.
You may contact Kevin Snedden, Deputy Executive Director of Programs and Services, at ksnedden@fsmtb.org if you have any questions.
