Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx®)
The MBLEx provides entry-level standards that assist state regulators in determining if an individual can competently and safely practice on consumers.
MBLEx Requirements
You are required to review the next 4 steps before you create your FSMTB® Examination Account and submit your MBLEx application.
FSMTB requires that you read through the entire MBLEx Candidate Handbook before you apply for the MBLEx.
The MBLEx Candidate Handbook is the most important source of information for those applying for the examination. In the handbook, you will find information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, fees, scheduling, exam content, and results.
You must meet all the following requirements to take the MBLEx:
- Submit complete MBLEx Application with the required fee.
- Ensure your massage education program verifies your education directly with FSMTB.
- Acknowledge and agree that you will follow FSMTB examination policies.
The format and spelling on your MBLEx application, your Authorization to Test (ATT), and your identification you present at the test center must match.
Applicants seeking access to the MBLEx will be required to substantiate either:
• Enrollment in and having received education and training in all subject areas of the MBLEx Content Outline from an approved massage therapy education program.
• Graduation from an approved massage therapy education program.
MBLEx Process
How to apply? Candidates may apply online or by mail.
Follow these steps:
To apply for the MBLEx online, please create an exam account. Through your account, you can also check the status of your application or submit a transfer request to send your MBLEx result to a state licensing board.
Login to your exam account with your username and password.
Please complete your your MBLEx application. Applications are not considered complete until payment is received. FSMTB accepts Visa or Mastercard for online payments for fees, products, or services. All MBLEx application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. This policy applies to all applicants and all circumstances. See VA Reimbursement Program details below.
Your signature on your MBLEx application or submission of your electronic application indicates that you understand and agree to certain conditions. By submitting your complete MBLEx application, you acknowledge you have reviewed the Content Outline (Content Outline – Espanol) and verify you have both education and training in the examination content areas. Additionally, you acknowledge and agree to comply with all FSMTB examination policies and procedures, including the consequences of noncompliance.
FSMTB complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and will accommodate requests from qualified candidates. For more information, please click the Exam Accommodations button below.
It is your responsibility to ensure that FSMTB receives your education verification.
Your massage therapy education program is required to verify your education through the Education Verification Center (EVC). Please contact your school and let them know that you applied for the MBLEx so that they can verify your education.
If your school is closed, you will need to contact the custodian of records for that school and request transcripts be sent directly to FSMTB via email to schoolsupport@fsmtb.org.
We will not finalize your MBLEx application until we receive your application fee and receive your education verification. Please allow five (5) business days for FSMTB to process your complete MBLEx application. A complete application consists of the MBLEx application, fee, and education verification.
Have Education Verification Questions?
Once your application is approved, FSMTB will email you an Authorization to Test (ATT) containing instructions to schedule your examination online or by phone with Pearson VUE. Additionally, you can login to your Exam Account to see your ATT. You must complete the exam within the date range on your ATT. If you do not test before the expiration date on your ATT, it will expire, and you will be required to reapply as a new applicant.
Check your MBLEx application status: Please keep in mind that it will take up to five business days after you submit your completed application to receive your Authorization to Test (ATT). To check the status of your MBLEx application, please log in to your exam account by clicking the button below.
MBLEx Appointment
The MBLEx is administered year-round at authorized Pearson VUE Professional Centers across the United States.
To schedule your examination appointment, you may use the online scheduler by clicking the button below or call customer service at 888.790.4892 Monday through Friday, 7am – 7pm Central Time.
Please note you will need to create a Pearson VUE account to schedule your exam. This account is separate from your FSMTB Examination Account.
Once you have scheduled your MBLEx, Pearson VUE will immediately email you an appointment confirmation. If you do not receive confirmation of your appointment from Pearson VUE, there may have been an error in scheduling. Please contact Pearson VUE (888.790.4892) to resolve the problem.
Arrive at the Pearson VUE test center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to check-in for the MBLEx. You must arrive by the report time listed on your appointment confirmation notice. If you arrive late, you will be considered absent and will be unable to test. If you are late and miss your exam, your Authorization to Test (ATT) will expire.
A digital photograph and biometric security procedures such as palm vein recognition will be used as part of the check-in procedures.
Please refer to the MBLEx Candidate Handbook for a full outline of what to expect at the test center the day of your examination including required identification, prohibited items and lockers.
The MBLEx is a computer-based test that requires you to answer 100 multiple-choice questions within 110 minutes. Your exam appointment is scheduled for two (2) hours. 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.
There are no scheduled breaks during the examination unless approved for specific testing accommodations during the MBLEx application process.
If you experience any issues while taking your exam it is your responsibility to notify a proctor during the exam and before you leave the test center.
MBLEx Results
Examination results are reported as PASS or FAIL. 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.
The state regulatory board or agency indicated on your MBLEx application will receive your official examination result within five business days from FSMTB. Official exam results are electronically transmitted.
If you are successful on the exam, you can apply for a license.
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.
Apply for Your License
After passing the MBLEx, before you can begin practice you will need to apply for a license in the state in which you plan to work. You can find these requirements by clicking the button below.
