Thank you for choosing the Tests.com as part of your study routine to secure a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). By passing the MBLEx, you will be well on your way to securing a future within the exciting field of massage therapy.
This MBLEx Review includes excerpts from the MBLEx Practice Exam Kit authored by instructors in massage therapy to help you prepare for your exam:
Introduction
The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The FSMTB began in 2005 as a coalition of massage therapy boards from seven regulated states, with the stated purpose of uniting the regulatory bodies in their mission of protection of the public. The primary goals were to establish a valid and reliable licensing exam, and to cultivate commonality in licensing requirements to help massage therapists with professional mobility. Currently there are 45 massage therapy boards from regulated states and territories that are members of the FSMTB.
The MBLEx was developed by the FSMTB with the help of some of the leading massage and bodywork professionals in the United States. Its stated purpose is to provide unified, nationally-verified, entry-level standards for safe and competent practice of massage and bodywork. The first MBLEx was given in 2007 as part of the Pilot Testing stage of development. The development of the test was done using nationally-recognized guideline to make the test fair, valid, and reliable.
The Application Process
An MBLEx application can be found online. From the web page, applicants may either fill out the application electronically, or download and print a paper copy to send in through the mail. Application forms are available in both English and Spanish.
When filling out the application, the name and address of the school attended is required. Applicants must ask their schools to send educational information directly to the FSMTB to verify that they have completed the necessary subjects before testing. Applicants must choose whether they want to take the test in English or Spanish, and can indicate if they need any ADA test accommodations. There is an additional form to fill out to request accommodations.
The MBLEx Test
The MBLEx test is a 100 question test, taken on a computer. Candidates must answer all questions for a score to be calculated. There is a two-hour limit on the test. Up to 10 minutes of that may be dedicated to the security agreement and a survey, leaving 110 minutes to answer the 100 questions.
The MBLEx requires candidates to answer questions in the following massage and bodywork related areas:
- Anatomy and Physiology;
- Kinesiology;
- Pathology;
- Benefits and Physiological Effects of Massage and Bodywork;
- Client Assessment, Reassessment and Treatment Planning;
- Massage and Bodywork Modalities;
- Ethics, Boundaries, Laws and Regulations; and
- Guidelines for Professional Practice (safety, hygiene, business, etc.).
There are no breaks scheduled during the examination. Candidates who take a break will lose the time they spend out of the room, and will have to go through security protocols to leave and reenter the room.
The MBLEx is a computer-adaptive test. Candidates must answer questions in the order they are given, and cannot go back and change any answers. If a question is answered correctly, the next question will be of a slightly higher difficulty. The difficulty of the questions increases until the test taker gives an incorrect answer. At that point, a slightly easier question is provided. This customizes the test to the candidate's ability level.
To pass the first time with a higher score, check out the complete 1,000 question Practice Exam Kit for the MBLEx with eFlashCards, Instant Scoring and more.
MBLEx is a trademark of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) that did not produce or endorse this material.
