Arkansas Massage Therapist License Exam
To get licensed in Arkansas, massage therapists are required to take a massage exam that covers such subjects as anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. Whether you live in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Springdale or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your massage license.
Need of a License: A massage therapist needs a license to practice massage therapy in Arkansas.
Who Grants a License: Licenses are granted by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Qualifications to receive a License: A candidate needs to have completed at least 500 clock hours of classroom instruction in massage therapy from an approved school or institution.
The candidate must also pass two exams:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- Arkansas Massage Therapy Law Examination.
For more information on qualifications, see Arkansas Massage Therapist Instruction for Licensure,
Applying for the Exam: Candidates can apply online to take the MBLEx. More information can be found on the MBLEx in a Candidate Handbook.
Test Content: The MBLEX exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with four choices provided for each question. Test takers have 110 minutes to complete the computer based exam.
The exam is divided into eight content areas:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations
- Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue
- Client Assessment, Reassessment, & Treatment Planning
- Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modalities
- Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations
- Guidelines for Professional Practice
Arkansas Massage Therapy Law Exam: To find out more information about the massage therapy law exam and to schedule an appointment to take the exam call the ASBMT Board Office at (501) 683-1448. The exams are administered on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.
How to Apply for the License: Candidates must provide the Board the following: (1) completed application; (2) copy of massage school diploma and transcript; (3) criminal background check; and (4) medical test showing one is free of infectious tuberculosis; and (5) MBLEx score report. The documents should be sent to:
ASBMT Board Office
PO Box 2019
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 683-1448
Fees: There are fees to apply to become a licensed massage therapist.
Who Administers the Exam: The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
License Renewal Requirements: A massage therapist must renew her license every two years and complete at least 18 hours of continuing education in that time period.
Applicable Regulations: Massage therapists in Arkansas are governed by Arkansas Code, section 17-86-303.
