FSMTB and NCBTMB have reached an Agreement. NCBTMB will no longer accept applications to utilize their Licensing exams effective November 1, 2014 for completion February 1, 2015. The MBLEx will be the sole licensing exam for the Massage Profession, this will facilitate portability and standardization for Massage Therapists.
The MBLEx (Massage &, Bodywork Licensing Examination) is governed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards FSMTB ). It is designed to provide a standard examination for students of Massage for entry-level professional scope of practice in gaining licensure. The FSMTB was established in 2005 with the intent to build a support system for the Member Boards. Their goals from the beginning were to work towards cooperation in implementing regulations and procedures for the requirements to establish safe and effective Massage Therapy and Bodywork practices.
The MBLEx is not set up to trick or deceive the test taker. There is only one real answer to a test question. You will have 2 hours to answer 100 multiple-choice questions. If you take breaks your time doesn&rsquo,t stop. The examination is scored on a scale starting at 300 and ending at 900. A passing score of 630 implies a minimum standard for competent practice as a Massage Therapist. The diagnostic information for each category and your numbered score will be given to you at the testing center when your exam is completed. Score results are based on the
difficulty and number of questions you answer correctly.
The exam has eight concentrated areas of content: Client assessment, reassessment, and treatment plans, Benefits and Physiological effects of Techniques, Pathology with Contraindications, areas of Caution, and Special Populations, Massage and Bodywork Modalities/ Culture/ History, Ethics- Boundaries-Laws &, Regulations, Guidelines for Professional Practice, Kinesiology, and Anatomy &, Physiology. The Content Outline for the MBLEx breaks down further the categories used for establishing the questions in the MBLEx .
**Effective July 1st 2014 the MBLEx Content weight has changed to:
The breakdown of the 100 massage questions on the MBLEx is as follows:
16-18 questions on Client Assessment, Reassessment, and Treatment plans 17% (Assessment)
13-16 questions Benefits and Physiological effects of Techniques 14% (Application)
12-15 questions on Pathology with Contraindications, areas of Caution, and Special Populations 13% (Pathology)
4-6 questions on Massage and Bodywork Modalities/ Culture/ History 5% (CAM)
14-17 questions on Ethics, Boundaries, Laws &, Regulations 15% (Professional)
12-15 questions on Guidelines for Professional Practice 13% (Professional)
10-12 questions on Kinesiology 11% (A&,P)
11-13 questions on Anatomy &, Physiology 12% (A&,P / Body Systems)
for a total of 100 questions
$195.00. If you fail the exam you will have to apply and pay the fees again.
So on average the MBLEx.
Assessment: 17% or 17 questions
Application: 14% or 14 questions
Pathology: 13% or 13 questions
History (CAM): 5 % or 5 questions
Professional: 28% or 28 questions
A&,P/Kinesio/Body: 23% or 23 questions
This breakdown allows you to see where the MBLEx focuses their content, creating a focus for your studies. The highest concentration is in the Professional Ethics and Guidelines sections, followed closely by A&,P/Kinesio/Body as well as the Assessment and Application (as it should be). The Pathology and history questions are good to know because they help with the knowledge of your client's conditions so that you are able to make connections on how massage history effects the professional community as a whole today. When you are studying with us, it is important to note the content weight in order to better prepare yourself for the exam.
**Effective July 1st 2014 the MBLEx Content weight has added more questions to the Ethics and Guideline sections:
* Anatomy &, Physiology - 12% (reduced from 14%)
* Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue - 14% (reduced from 17%)
* Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations - 15% (increased from 13%)
* Guidelines for Professional Practice - 13% (increased from 10%)
- In the past the MBLEx had 125 questions and 2.5 hours to take the exam. Now it is 100 questions with 2 hours. Also Please note the New Change. Flagging exam questions for later review is not permitted on the MBLEx. July 1st 2014
-The other Major difference for the updated MBLEx is it is now a CAT or Computer Adaptive Test. This means that each question must be answered before the next question. When a question is answered correctly, the next question is a slightly higher level of difficulty. The levels of difficulty will increase upon each correct answer. If you answer incorrectly a slightly easier question is given. This way of testing customizes the exam to the candidate's ability level. The weight of each question is determined by the level of difficulty, you must answer enough difficult questions to obtain a passing score. In the past the MBLEx was a CBT or Computer Based Test that would utilize a Static (Summative) Test and each exam was a standardized exam.
-As of July 2014 -If the MBLEx is not passed, you will need to reapply with a new online application and fee. A 30 day period is required from failed attempt to obtain an ATT or Authorization to test for another attempt at the MBLEx.
To use our site effectively it is best to review the content of your graded exams. When you have finished your practice test and have received your score, don&rsquo,t stop there. Check each incorrectly answered question and find out why you missed it. Was it because you didn't read the question correctly or missed one qualifying word? If you answered the question correctly, it is important to read the rationale, there may be further insights that can help you in the long run with a deeper understanding about the subject, or an easier way to remember the content.
When reviewing your tests, make sure you are breaking down the questions effectively. This is the time to practice reading each word slowly. It also helps, while reading the question, to insert one of the answers into the question to see if it fits or to see if it registers with anything in your knowledge base. If you take your time on each word, focusing on the overall relevancy, you will train your brain to pick out the best possible answer. Visualize the muscle in relation to the body, see the direction of the fibers, recall the origin and the insertion (more moveable attachment) and run through the available actions of that muscle.
Practice using scrap paper to write things down. Sometimes writing them down will trigger the information you are looking for. When you take the exam at Pearson VUE they will give you paper and pencil or white board and marker to use while you take the exam and then they will ask for it back when the exam is complete. If you need more paper during the exam, you may ask for more after turning in the paper you fill up.
It is also best in your preparations to study at least an hour each day. When you answer a question incorrectly, use that information to find a subject matter you need to learn more about. Read all about it in your books, and look it up online. Try to make deeper connections in regards to the body relationship as a whole. As you continue to do so you will find that you can recall information faster and with more accuracy.
To be qualified to take the MBLEx you must apply directly with the FSMTB. The fee required to take the exam is $195 due with the submittal of your MBLEx application . If you apply through your state licensing board or agency you do not need to fill out and send the application to FSMTB. the board or agency will complete that process for you.
Filling out and sending in the application does not guarantee that you are accepted to take the MBLEx. You must wait for an NTS (Notice to Schedule) that will be sent directly from the FSMTB to your email. If your state board or agency has sent in your eligibility information you will get a payment voucher that you must return in order to receive the NTS. Once you have completed this process you can then set up an appointment to take the exam with Pearson VUE. You must take the exam within 90 days of receiving the NTS, or you will be required to go through the application process again, including fees.
MBLEx Application Overview
Step 2: Wait 5-7 business Days for FSMTB processing
Step 3: Receive the Notice to Schedule (NTS) Email Confirmation
Step 4: Call or Schedule online with the Pearson VUE nearest you (can not do this without confirmation code in NTS)
Step 5: Schedule and take Exam within 90 Days (after 90 days you must apply and pay fee again)
Step 6: Receive Pearson VUE email confirmation of Place, Time, and Date
Step 7: Take the MBLEx and receive results at the Pearson VUE's checkout desk (results are automatically sent to your state board listed on the MBLEx application within 24 hours)
New as of July 2014 -If the MBLEx is not passed, you will need to reapply with a new online application and fee. A 30 day period is required from failed attempt to obtain an ATT or Authorization To Test for another attempt at the MBLEx.
The Massage-Exam.com website is a resource for basic Massage information about our online practice exams and other links to major Massage organizations. We are not affiliated with NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP, ect. Information gathered from these organizations websites is to help educate and inform our fellow Massage Therapists.
Tips on taking and passing the MBLEx:
These tips have been gathered from dozens of resources. They can be applied to the MBLEx as well as any test structured in the same format.
Taking the MBLEx can be a painless experience if you are prepared with the knowledge of the course material AND an understanding of what to expect of the MBLEx test itself. We have created this page to aid in answering some of the more common questions associated with taking the MBLEx. This includes facts and advice related to taking and passing the exams. It is intended to aid the MT candidate in his or her pursuit of license and registration as a Massage Therapist.
MBLEx is a CAT or Computer Adaptive Test. This means that each question must be answered before the next question. When a question is answered correctly, the next question is a slightly higher level of difficulty. The levels of difficulty will increase upon each correct answer. If you answer incorrectly a slightly easier question is given. This way of testing customizes the exam to the candidate's ability level. The weight of each question is determined by the level of difficulty, you must answer enough difficult questions to obtain a passing score.
Facts you need to know about the MBLEx Exam:
&bull, MBLEx test questions are multiple-choice with 4 potential answers. All questions are created by a team of 15 psychometricians and testing experts along with a core group of 60 subject matter experts. That created a list of all the tasks that a massage or bodywork therapist needs to be able to perform on the job. This list of tasks was then validated by several thousand practitioners (7,646). These testing experts made sure that there is only one ",best", or ",correct", answer, and that ",each incorrect answer has some level of plausibility.&rdquo, Additionally, each question and answer must be easily found in the MBLEx bibliography of books used in teaching Massage Therapy curriculum.
&bull, The MBLEx is Now a CAT or Computer Adaptive Test. In the past (before July 2014) it was a CBT (Computer Based Testing) format with a Static (Summative) Tests and each exam was a standardized exam.
&bull, The MBLEx is administered at the Pearson VUE testing center. This CAT or Computer Adaptive Test will deliver questions one at a time to the candidate. Your name will be displayed at the top of the screen and on the top right side will be displayed your time remaining (you also have the option of clicking on the clock icon to get rid of the time count). The progress indicator under the time will show you the question number you are on and then the total number of questions.
&bull, The MBLEx CAT or (Computer Adaptive Testing) is tailored specifically to the individual MT or bodyworker candidate. This testing method is considered state of the art and should make the MBLEx exams more precise, fair, and accurate. What does that mean? Basically each item (question) is given a weighted point value. This value is based on the difficulty of the question. A harder question has a higher point value. An easier question has a lower value.
&bull, New CAT MBLEx tests will deliver questions one at a time to the candidate and will NOT be randomly chosen. They are rated along the same ability scale as the candidate is exhibiting proficiency. The first questions on the exam are generally just below the passing standard. If a question is asked that is below the candidate's level of ability, the probability is high for the candidate to answer the question correctly. If a question asked is above a candidate's level of ability, they have a high probability of missing it. If the candidate answers the question correctly then a slightly more difficult question will be delivered next.
&bull, When answering the question you may click on the bubble to the left of the correct answer or on the answer itself. If you click again, this will remove the selected answer.
&bull, Please note the New Change. Flagging exam questions for later review is no longer permitted on the MBLEx. July 1st 2014.
&bull, There may be some questions that have a graphic displayed in order to fully answer the question correctly.
&bull, Exam fees ($195) can be paid online at the MBLEx website, but you must first be registered and sign into your account. You can pay by credit card, or with a payment voucher if your school provides one. You may also mail in payment, however this will delay your ability to schedule your exam until the payment has cleared.
&bull, If you do not pass the exam you may retake it after 30 days. This period is to provide you with time to study. The MBLEx Retake Application form and payment ($195) must be paid again.
&bull, You will receive the official exam score at the Pearson VUE testing center immediately after your examination. No other report will be sent to you in the mail or email.
&bull, The score will automatically be reported electronically to the state board that you entered during the application within 24 hours. The score will be reported to this first state at no cost.
&bull, If you need to have your score sent to another state board, or need another hard copy to be sent to either you or another business, you must fill out the MBLEx Mobility Form and pay $20.00 per report.
&bull, You can find an MBLEx testing location on this page of www.personvue.com
Advice on how to take and pass the MBLEx:
The following advice has been gleaned from dozens of sources. Information contained within has been compiled from interviews with Massage Therapists who have taken and passed the exam, related Massage discussion forums, and nationally recognized test-taking authorities.
Material to study for the MBLEx:
* Realistically you should have a working knowledge of all materials covered in your massage curriculum. There is no secret method to passing the Exam. The Massage-Exam Practice Testing Application will help you become familiar with the format and content of the multiple choice questions. You can solidify the concepts of massage assessment and application by studying the massage answer rationales that accompany every question.
* Even though the MBLEx has a minimum passing threshold, you should strive to learn more than just what is necessary to pass the exam. Reading the rationales that accompany every question on Massage-Exam will help further your knowledge and open your understanding to the concepts taught from your text. This will help build confidence in your personal abilities as a Massage Therapist and add a strong foundation to your new career.
* Be sure to eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water in the days before the massage exam. Try to include B vitamin foods in your meals like oatmeal, bananas, and raisins. Get plenty of rest.
* Do not try to cram for the massage exam. This is not an effective way of preparing for any exam. If you don't know the information you need the night before the exam, you are not going to know it after a day or night of cramming. Get some sleep or just relax the day or night before the exam instead of cramming. The rest will do more for you than frantically pouring over your textbooks and practice massage exam questions.
* Do not eat a sugar-loaded meal or drink a lot of coffee before your exam. This will only add to existing test anxiety.
* Study for your massage exam regularly over several weeks to get the best results from your test preparation.
* Download a map of the testing center location and make sure you know exactly where the test center is. Arrive early to eliminate the stress of being late. Being late for the MBLEx is not tolerated and you will have to reschedule. You must be approved and signed up for the MBLEx. you can't just walk in to the testing center and request to take the exam. You can only bring your photo ID and a couple of pencils. Scrap paper will be provided for you in the testing area along with pencils if you are in need. These items must be returned at the end of the exam. Some testing facilities may even have a locker issued to you for your personal belongings to be stored during the exam.
* Dress in multiple layers when you go to take your exam so that you can take off what is not necessary if you are too warm. The temperature of the testing center can change during the day especially if the exam is held in a seldom used room or building.
*Use the restroom before you start the exam. You are allowed to go during the exam, but take care of it sooner rather than later. You will be required to take one form of ID with you while the other stays within the testing center. It will be verified each time you leave and enter. Note: Your time on your exam continues to run when you take a break or go to the bathroom.
*You must bring two forms of ID to the exam site. One of the IDs needs to have a photo.
* You CANNOT skip a question and come back to it later. The nature of the CAT exam requires that you answer each question individually before any additional questions are delivered. The next question you get delivered is based on how you answered the previous questions. This is why you must make a choice before you can proceed.
* Use caution with questions that contain words like always, except, never, most appropriate, and other words that qualify a question. Watch out for words that put limitations on a potential answer.
* Be sure to read the entire massage question completely at least two times and then formulate the correct answer in your head before you take a look at the multiple choice answers. If you look at the choices of answers before you understand the question entirely, you may be led into choosing an incorrect answer.
* There are four possible answers to each massage question. Two of the answers can often be eliminated right away after reading the question through two times. Once these two answers are eliminated, you only need to decide which answer is the ",best possible answer", between the two remaining choices.
* Don't over think or complicate the question. Do not add elements into questions that are not already written into it. These things can cause you to overlook the basics of the question, which is usually what you are being tested on.
* You are given two hours to complete the exam of one hundred questions. That means you have an average of one minute and twenty seconds for each question. Some questions will be answered faster then others. The passing score is 630 on a scale starting at 300 and ending at 900. The percentage weight of each question is based on its difficulty. The Modified Angoff Procedure and Criterion-Referenced Scoring is used to determine the passing score. The score is a scaled score, not a percentage score. By using these methods, the MBLEx is used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching programs, to determine the students' mastery of concepts and skills.
* If you are unsure of the correct answer, it is better to make an informed guess.
&bull, Look at the breakdown of questions . A large portion of the exam is related to Professional Ethics /Standards (28% or approximately 28 questions), and A&,P/Kinesio/Body (23% or 23 questions). The assessment (17% or approximately 17 questions) and application (14% or approximately 14 questions). Many students overlook this.
The MBLEx may NOT be based upon the textbook you used in your class. The exam is based upon the MBLEx Bibliography (pg. 17) referenced materials.
&bull, Remember, although the MBLEx exam looks at a minimum requirement to pass, nobody wants a ",just made it by the skin of the teeth", therapist. Know your stuff.
&bull, Obviously take advantage of the Massage Practice Tests here on our site. There is detailed score tracking and exam review features that let you see your strong and weak areas while you continue to take exams and improve.
Most of the National exams given in the United States follow the formula below in developing questions. The MBLEx is one of these tests. If you begin to understand what type of questions you are being asked it will allow you to begin to know how to apply the correct response. This is some deep reading, but has helped me a lot in my test taking. Read through the information then see if you can start to figure it out as you take practice tests. I&rsquo,ll try to give a few examples at the end.
In 1956, Benjamin Bloom headed a group of educational psychologists who developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior important in learning. Bloom found that over 95% of the test questions students encountered required them to think only at the lowest possible level. the recall of information.
Bloom identified six levels within the cognitive domain, from the simple recall or recognition of facts as the lowest level, through increasingly more complex and abstract mental levels, to the highest order which is classified as evaluation. Verb examples that represent intellectual activity on each level are listed here.
Use this information when studying and preparing for your final exam. Breakdown the subject matter to understand it better:
1. Knowledge: arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce, state.
2. Comprehension: classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, restate, review, select, translate.
3. Application: apply, choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule, sketch, solve, use, write.
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