The MBLEx Candidate Handbook supersedes information addressed in this FAQs section. All applicable rules and circumstances cannot be addressed in this section, so additional FSMTB policies, procedures, and instructions may also apply and may be modified, amended, or canceled by FSMTB at any time, with or without notice.
About the MBLEx
The MBLEx is a professional licensing examination that identifies those with entry-level knowledge and skills who are competent to enter the massage and bodywork profession.
The MBLEx is different from traditional academic exams taken in a school setting. During school, students often take exams or quizzes based on the massage school’s curriculum, assessing what students have learned in specific subjects.
In contrast, the MBLEx is designed based on the practice of massage and bodywork. It is developed by professionals, state regulators, and subject matter experts. This input helps ensure exam content reflects what you need to know to practice massage and bodywork effectively.
This way, the MBLEx accurately reflects the challenges and responsibilities of massage and bodywork professionals.
The FSMTB developed the MBLEx in response to a request from states that regulate the practice of massage and bodywork.
A licensing exam aims to identify entry-level practitioners with the knowledge and training to provide massage services safely and competently to the public.
Passing the MBLEx allows the entry-level practitioner to apply for a professional license through their state regulatory board or agency.
The MBLEx is a national licensing exam that assesses whether an individual demonstrates entry-level knowledge to practice safely and competently. State regulatory boards and agencies mandate professional licensing exams to legally practice.
Certification exams, such as the NCE, are voluntary credentials, typically denote advanced levels of knowledge, training, and the further development of a skill set in a specific area of bodywork.
The FSMTB provides several study resources to facilitate exam preparation.
The current exam content outline can be found on the exam content page of FSMTBs website.
Since the MBLEx is an entry-level exam, no detailed or advanced questions relate to Asian theory. However, some questions ensure a basic knowledge of different modalities, including those used in Eastern massage practices. More information on MBLEx content can be found on the exam content page of FSMTBs website.
Application Process
The current fee to take the MBLEx is $265.
The current fee to retake the MBLEx is $265. If you need to retake the MBLEx, you must reapply and pay the application fee in effect at that time.
MBLEx fees are not refundable or transferable.
You must apply for the MBLEx online by creating a personal FSMTB Examination Account.
If you tested before the examination center was implemented in May of 2021, and are reapplying, please register and create an FSMTB Examination Account.
For more information about the process of submitting your MBLEx application, please visit the MBLEx Process and Requirements page.
Your completed MBLEx application, including education verification and application fee, is processed within five business days.
We do not limit the number of times you take the MBLEx; however, your state may impose a limit. Check to see if your state regulatory board or agency has a limit on the number of times you may attempt to pass the MBLEx.
How to request testing accommodations:
1. When completing your online MBLEx application, choose “yes” if you need testing accommodations.
2. New dialogue boxes will open with questions you must respond to.
3. To support your request, you can upload documentation that applies to your diagnosis directly to your application. If you do not have that documentation to upload, you can submit it separately to ada@fsmtb.org.
4. Candidates who have been granted testing accommodations will receive an approval letter via email.
5. You must sign and return both pages of the accommodations agreement letter through your FSMTB Examination Account or email them to ada@fsmtb.org.
If you have already submitted your application and need to add a request for testing accommodations, please email your request and supporting documentation to ada@fsmtb.org.
Please see the testing accommodations page for more information and to find the ADA handbook which is available in English and Spanish.
The MBLEx is offered in English and Spanish. You will be able to choose your exam language on the MBLEx application.
Your state may have requirements regarding examination language. The language you choose to test will be included in the exam result report, which is sent to your state regulatory board after you complete your exam. Please review your state’s requirements before selecting your exam language.
The MBLEx is offered in Spanish solely to satisfy the legal requirements of the FSMTB’s member board in Puerto Rico, where Spanish is the official language.
Applicants seeking access to the MBLEx will be required to substantiate either:
- Enrollment in and having received education and training in all MBLEx Content Outline subject areas from an approved massage therapy education program.
- Graduation from an approved massage therapy education program.
An approved massage therapy education program 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 that a 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 where the school is located, shall apply.
In the event that a 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 where the school is located, the massage therapy education program must obtain approval from FSMTB.
In the event of a conflict between the state board/agency and the Department of Education, the approval or recognition of the massage therapy board/agency shall prevail.
If your school is active and open, please contact your school and ask them to verify your education through the Education Verification Center.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your education gets verified.
If your school is unsure how to verify your education, please ask your school to contact FSMTB by emailing to schoolsupport@fsmtb.org.
You must contact your state’s Department of Higher Education if your school is closed.
When a school or education program closes, documents, such as student transcripts, are stored in the department’s records repository. If you experience further difficulties in obtaining your education records, please get in touch with schoolsupport@fsmtb.org.
You will need to check with your state’s regulatory board or agency regarding education requirements for massage licensure. A list of website links for the state boards can be found by clicking on the button below.
FSMTB does not have any restrictions on the timeframe between when a candidate graduates from an approved massage therapy program and when the candidate can apply.
For example, if you graduated in 1976 and attended an approved massage therapy program at that time, FSMTB can still accept your education. In this example, if your school is active, you may request that the school verify your education through the Education Verification Center. If your school is closed, please contact the keeper of records and request that they send FSMTB your official transcript via email to schoolsupport@fsmtb.org.
Once your application is approved, you will receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) via email within 5 business days.
If you do not receive your ATT via email within 5 business days from submitting your MBLEx application, please contact FSMTB’s MBLEx support team via email at mblex@fstmb.org.
If you do not test within the 120-day time frame listed on your ATT, your ATT will expire. You will be required to reapply and comply with all examination policies and fees in place at that time.
Scheduling and Taking the MBLEx
The MBLEx is not available online. You must take the exam at a Pearson VUE professional center.
The MBLEx is offered exclusively through Pearson VUE professional centers and depending on locations, is available six or seven days a week.
To schedule your examination appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE to reschedule or cancel your exam appointment.
You may visit the online scheduler by clicking the button below, or call 888.790.4892 (toll-free), Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM (U.S. Central Time).
You must receive an emailed confirmation from Pearson VUE of the examination appointment from Pearson Vue.
If you do not receive an email confirmation, your appointment request was not completed correctly.
To change your examination appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE to reschedule or cancel it. You may visit the online scheduler by clicking the button below, or call 888.790.4892 (toll-free), Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM (U.S. Central Time).
You must receive an emailed confirmation from Pearson VUE of the examination appointment.
If you do not receive an email confirmation, your appointment request was not completed correctly.
Appointment changes may be made up to 24 hours before your existing appointment.
You must bring TWO forms of identification (ID) to the test center on your exam date. The primary form of identification must be government-issued, include your photograph and signature, and it must not be temporary or expired. For the secondary form of identification, your photograph is optional; however, it must include a signature, and it must not be expired. Military IDs that do not include a signature but contain a chip or bar code may be used as secondary IDs.
The format and spelling of your name must match the format and spelling on your MBLEx application, the Authorization to Test (ATT), and the identification you present at the test center. Temporary or renewed driver’s licenses are not acceptable forms of ID.
Your middle name or initial is not required on the MBLEx application. You will not be prevented from testing if your middle name or initial appears on your MBLEx application or IDs.
If the test center staff have questions about your ID, you may be asked for additional proof of identity. You will be refused access to the examination if you have not proven your identity. Admission to the test center and access to the examination does not imply that your identification is authentic and does not preclude subsequent invalidation of your MBLEx results due to misrepresentation, impersonation, forgery, or fraud. In other words, using a fake ID to enter the test center puts you at risk of exam invalidation.
PRIMARY ID MUST CONTAIN:
Photo + signature + not expired.
- Government-issued U.S. State / Territory Driver’s License *
- Government-issued U.S. State / Territory ID *
- Government-issued Passport or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
- Military ID
SECONDARY ID MUST CONTAIN:
Signature (See exceptions) + not expired.
- U.S. Social Security Card
- Military ID containing a chip or bar code but no signature
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) with bar code but no signature
- Signed employee ID/work badge/school ID
- Signed bank-issued credit card, ATM, or debit card
- Any ID on the primary list
- Alien Registration Card (green card or permanent resident visa)
*PLEASE NOTE: Driver’s license renewal or temporary paperwork and digital licenses or state IDs are NOT acceptable forms of ID.
Click below for a video that outlines identification requirements.
Your exam appointment is scheduled for two (2) hours (120 minutes). During this time frame, a maximum of five (5) minutes is allotted to the security and confidentiality agreement and five (5) minutes to a brief survey. You have 110 minutes to complete the exam.
If you do not complete ALL 100 questions within 110 minutes, you will fail the exam, and a diagnostic report will not be generated.
After Taking the MBLEx
If you pass, a congratulatory message will be displayed on-screen upon exam completion. If you fail, you will be given a diagnostic report of your performance in each MBLEx content area. The indicators on the diagnostic summary are provided to assist in future study efforts.
FSMTB ONLY sends official results to the state board/licensing agency that you designate on your MBLEx application. You may also request that FSMTB send an official result to a different state by submitting an MBLEx Result Transfer Form.
If you failed the MBLEx or missed your exam appointment for any reason, you must reapply. If you choose to, you may submit a new application for the MBLEx immediately. You must wait 30 days from your last exam date to test again. If approved, your authorization will not begin until 30 days have passed.
You must apply with your state regulatory board or agency for licensing. FSMTB reports your exam result to your state regulatory board or agency.
Your official MBLEx results are sent to the state licensing board/agency that you requested on your MBLEx application, after your test.
Please email mblex@fsmtb.org and a member of our staff will respond with the date that FSMTB sent your results to the state board.
Due to security reasons, FSMTB will not post the results of the MBLEx online. If you wish to obtain a copy of your results, you will need to submit an MBLEx Result Transfer Form.
Even if you receive a passing result on the MBLEx, it does NOT mean you are licensed to practice. You may not represent or advertise that you are licensed until you receive official licensure notification from the state regulatory board or agency in the jurisdiction where you wish to practice.
Once you pass the MBLEx, there is no renewal requirement. Your result is valid throughout your professional career if your license to practice remains in good standing. However, a state licensing board or agency may have different requirements, so check with your state if you need additional information.
The MBLEx Result Transfer should be submitted when you are moving to a new state or if you would like to send your result to additional states for licensing.
Please note that you do not need to submit a Result Transfer Form if you have taken the MBLEx® within the last 90 days. FSMTB sends your official result to the state that you requested on your original MBLEx application.
If you need to submit a Result Transfer, please click on the exam result transfers button below.