Missouri Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice
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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements
Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.
Massage Therapist License
Ordinary license to practice massage therapy. The December 31, 2000 deadlines in RSMo 324.265.1(1) and .2 close the grandfather and nonrenewable temporary two-year issuance pathways; neither is a current route. The statute's subsection 7–9 practice exemptions are exceptions to licensure, not additional license identities.
Licensing authority: Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage · Application information
Licensure after approved apprenticeship
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- Submit official verification of passing an accepted examination.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Training currency
- Apprenticeship training is applicable toward licensure for no more than five years from receipt from the certified mentor.
- Training duration
- At least five months and completion within 24 months; Board may approve an extension on written request.
- Training pathway
- 625 hours in a Board-approved apprenticeship supervised by a certified mentor.
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Licensure after completing education deficiencies
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- Submit official verification of passing an accepted examination.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Training pathway
- An otherwise approved program has fewer than 625 hours or deficient subject hours; complete the deficiencies in an approved school or Board-approved mentorship before licensure.
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Licensure based on substantially equivalent existing licensure
- Application
- Notarized application, fee, fingerprints and verification sent by the issuing licensing authority.
- Existing license
- Hold licensure in another state, territory or District of Columbia under requirements the Board determines substantially the same.
- Fallback
- If requirements are not substantially the same, 20 CSR 2197-2.010(3) requires qualifying under the ordinary training and examination requirements.
- Verification
- Issuing authority reports license issue and expiration dates and complaints, investigations or disciplinary action.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2024-12-30.
- rules-2.doc
20 CSR 2197-2.010(2)–(3), other-jurisdiction licensure
- 324-245.html
RSMo 324.245.1(6), reciprocity authority
Late renewal within 30 days
- Application
- Signed renewal and renewal and applicable late fees.
- Continuing education
- If deficient, pay the late continuing-education fee and complete hours within 30 days of expiration; maintain completion evidence.
- Prior license
- License expired no more than 30 days ago.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2020-02-29.
- rules-2.doc
20 CSR 2197-2.050(1)–(4), renewal
- rules-1.pdf
20 CSR 2197-1.040(3)(F)1, late renewal 1–30 days
Licensure when existing licensing standards are not equivalent
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- Submit official verification of passing an accepted examination.
- Existing license
- Applicant holds a license elsewhere, but the Board finds the other jurisdiction's licensure requirements not substantially the same.
- Fallback
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(3) directs compliance with RSMo 324.265 and the current application rule, including an approved examination, unless separately eligible for the statutory waiver.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Permanent licensure after provisional licensure
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- A provisional-license background check less than one year old need not be repeated.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- Passing the currently offered examination remains a route leaf even when its score is obtained before applying for the permanent license.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Prior license
- Applicant was provisionally licensed in Missouri.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Transcript
- Prior provisional educational verification already on file need not be resubmitted under Permanent Application Instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
New licensure application after two years without reinstatement
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit a new licensure application and application fee and meet all current licensure requirements.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- A currently offered accepted examination remains a leaf even where a prior passing score is accepted.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Prior license
- Former Missouri license was not reinstated within two years of expiration.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Reinstatement within two years
- Application
- Reinstatement form, applicable fees and proof of continuing-education compliance.
- Discretion
- Reinstatement is at the Board's sole discretion.
- Prior license
- Expired license within two years of expiration.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2020-02-29.
- rules-2.doc
20 CSR 2197-2.050(5), reinstatement and new application
Ordinary license renewal
- Application
- Submit signed renewal and renewal fee on or before expiration.
- Continuing education
- 12 clock hours relevant to massage therapy during the two-year license period; maintain documentation four years.
- Waiver
- Board may waive or extend continuing-education completion for health, military service, foreign residency or good cause on written request before renewal.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2020-02-29.
- 324-265-current.html
RSMo 324.265.3, exhaustive renewal requirements
- rules-2.doc
20 CSR 2197-2.050(1)–(4), renewal
Licensure after approved school training
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued exam scores
- NCETBM/NCETMB and NCETM licensing examinations ceased under the FSMTB–NCBTMB agreement effective February 1, 2015; NCCAOM ABT was discontinued at the end of 2012. Missouri still lists these historical passing scores; they are applicant evidence rather than currently offered examination leaves.
- Examination
- Submit official verification of passing an accepted examination; a currently offered registered examination remains a leaf even if passed before application.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Training pathway
- Complete a CBHE-certified, DESE-approved, regionally accredited or equivalent approved out-of-state massage program.
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Expedited recognition for qualifying military or law enforcement spouses
- Applicant status
- Qualifying resident or nonresident military or law-enforcement spouse as defined by RSMo 324.009.1(4) and (6), with the same one-year current-license qualifications.
- Board checklist
- The Permanent Application Instructions state full licensure for at least one year without discipline or pending complaint/discipline, application and $125 fee, verification if records are inaccessible and background check. The statute separately permits Board consideration of resolved discipline.
- Existing license
- Current license in the same occupation and practice level held for at least one year in another state, US territory, District of Columbia or military branch/unit; provide current licensure and duration proof.
- Good standing
- Restrictions in RSMo 324.009.4 apply, including revocation, unresolved discipline or pending investigation/complaint, lack of good standing or a disqualifying criminal record. Resolved discipline is reviewed by the Board.
- Prior qualifications
- Issuing jurisdiction must verify its minimum educational and, where applicable, experience and clinical-supervision requirements and that applicant satisfied them.
- Processing
- Within 30 days the Board waives examination, education and experience requirements and issues the license when all other statutory requirements are met.
- Retained obligations
- Fees, insurance and fingerprints remain required; applicants licensed elsewhere pursuant to an interstate compact are excluded from this route.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-08-28.
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.2–3(1), recognition and mandatory waiver
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.4–5, waiver restrictions
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.7–12, retained obligations and exclusions
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.3(2), military and law-enforcement spouse waiver
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.1(4)–(6), qualifying spouses
- permanent-instructions
Permanent Application Instructions, Reciprocity checklist
Licensure under RSMo 324.009 universal recognition
- Board checklist
- The Permanent Application Instructions state full licensure for at least one year without discipline or pending complaint/discipline, application and $125 fee, verification if records are inaccessible and background check. The statute separately permits Board consideration of resolved discipline.
- Existing license
- Current license in the same occupation and practice level held for at least one year in another state, US territory, District of Columbia or military branch/unit; provide current licensure and duration proof.
- Good standing
- Restrictions in RSMo 324.009.4 apply, including revocation, unresolved discipline or pending investigation/complaint, lack of good standing or a disqualifying criminal record. Resolved discipline is reviewed by the Board.
- Prior qualifications
- Issuing jurisdiction must verify its minimum educational and, where applicable, experience and clinical-supervision requirements and that applicant satisfied them.
- Processing
- The statutory waiver is processed within six months.
- Retained obligations
- Fees, insurance and fingerprints remain required; applicants licensed elsewhere pursuant to an interstate compact are excluded from this route.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-08-28.
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.2–3(1), recognition and mandatory waiver
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.4–5, waiver restrictions
- 324-009.html
RSMo 324.009.7–12, retained obligations and exclusions
- permanent-instructions
Permanent Application Instructions, Reciprocity checklist
Provisional Massage Therapist License
Practice authorization while an applicant is applied or scheduled for an approved examination; initially valid for one year, with a discretionary extension of up to one further year.
Licensing authority: Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage · Application information
Discretionary provisional license extension
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Apply before expiration, provide explanation, pay extension fee and show applied or scheduled for approved examination.
- Background check
- Submit fingerprints for Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI checks and pay the applicable check fees.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued examinations
- The discontinued NCETBM/NCETMB, NCETM and ABT examinations cannot be newly scheduled. Their historical results do not become current examination leaves.
- Duration
- Board discretion; additional months not exceeding one year.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Prior license
- Existing provisional license and examination not yet passed.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Initial provisional license
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Age
- At least 18 years old.
- Application
- Submit the notarized application and application fee.
- Background check
- Check results are valid for one year from Board receipt.
- Curriculum
- At least 300 hours in massage theory and practice, 100 in anatomy and physiology, 50 in business practice, ethics, hygiene and Missouri massage law, and 50 in ancillary therapies including CPR and first aid; total at least 625 hours, with instruction by qualified instructors or a certified mentor.
- Discontinued examinations
- The discontinued NCETBM/NCETMB, NCETM and ABT examinations cannot be newly scheduled. Their historical results do not become current examination leaves.
- Duration
- One year from issuance; practice must cease at expiration unless extended or permanent license obtained.
- Examination
- Written verification that applicant has applied or is scheduled to take an examination under 20 CSR 2197-2.010; passing is not required for provisional issuance.
- Fee waiver
- RSMo 324.015 permits approved military-family and low-income applicants one two-year occupational-fee waiver; application and Board approval are required.
- Insurance
- Maintain professional liability insurance and submit the policy or company name and policy number with the application.
- Military spouse priority
- RSMo 324.006 gives first processing priority to spouses of active-duty Armed Forces members.
- Other board approved exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)6 also permits an examination deemed appropriate by the Board; this unnamed alternative is a condition.
- Training
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) requires 625 clock hours. RSMo 324.265.1(2) specifies a minimum of 500 hours; the Board exercises its educational rulemaking authority under RSMo 324.245.1(3).
- Training pathway
- Complete qualifying approved school or certified-mentor education and submit official transcript.
- Transcript
- Official completion transcript or certified mentor evidence sent directly to the Board, or an official sealed transcript as permitted by Board instructions.
- Unregistered nationwide exam
- 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)4 and Board instructions accept the American Medical Massage Association National Board Certification Examination (AMMA NBCE), administered as of 2006. Its owner currently offers registration for the NBCA Medical Massage Therapy Exam. The supplied nationwide context has no AMMA/NBCA version; this accepted alternative is retained as a condition pending national registration, including resolution of the Board's as-of-2006 qualifier.
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
- Provider
- Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards; administered at Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Centers) test centers
- Format
- Computer-based, fixed-length computer-adaptive test (CAT) of multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer; offered in English and Spanish and administered year-round; results reported as PASS or FAIL, with a diagnostic report by content area for failing candidates
- Exam questions
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time limit
- 110 minutes for 100 questions within a two-hour (120-minute) appointment
- Passing score
- Criterion-referenced passing standard adopted by the FSMTB Board of Directors; results reported as PASS or FAIL
- Exam fee
- $265 MBLEx application fee
Examination outline
Anatomy & Physiology (11%)
- A. System structure — Cardiovascular
- A. System structure — Digestive
- A. System structure — Endocrine
- A. System structure — Integumentary
- A. System structure — Lymphatic & Immune
- A. System structure — Musculoskeletal
- A. System structure — Nervous
- A. System structure — Reproduction
- A. System structure — Respiratory
- A. System structure — Sensory
- A. System structure — Urinary
- B. System function — Cardiovascular
- B. System function — Digestion
- B. System function — Endocrine
- B. System function — Integumentary
- B. System function — Lymphatic & Immune
- B. System function — Musculoskeletal
- B. System function — Nervous
- B. System function — Reproduction
- B. System function — Respiratory
- B. System function — Sensory
- B. System function — Urinary
- C. Tissue injury and repair
- D. Concepts of energetic anatomy
Kinesiology (12%)
- A. Skeletal muscle components & characteristics
- B. Concepts of skeletal muscle contractions
- C. Proprioceptors
- D. Skeletal muscle locations, attachments (origins, insertions), & actions
- E. Joint structure and function
- F. Range of motion — Active
- F. Range of motion — Passive
- F. Range of motion — Resisted
Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%)
- A. Overview of Pathologies
- B. Contraindications — Site specific
- B. Contraindications — Pathology related
- B. Contraindications — Special populations
- B. Contraindications — Tools
- B. Contraindications — Special applications
- C. Areas of caution
- D. Special populations
- E. Classes of medications
Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%)
- A. Physiological effects of soft tissue manipulation
- B. Psychological effects of soft tissue manipulation
- C. Effects of soft tissue manipulation for specific client populations
- D. Soft tissue techniques — Types of strokes
- D. Soft tissue techniques — Sequence of application
- E. Hot/cold applications
- F. Overview of massage/bodywork modalities
Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%)
- A. Organization of a massage/bodywork session
- B. Client consultation and evaluation — Verbal intake
- B. Client consultation and evaluation — Health history form
- C. Written data collection
- D. Visual assessment — General
- D. Visual assessment — Postural
- D. Visual assessment — Gait
- E. Palpation assessment
- F. Range of motion assessment
- G. Clinical reasoning — Ability to rule out contraindications
- G. Clinical reasoning — Client treatment goal setting
- G. Clinical reasoning — Evaluation of response to previous treatment
- G. Clinical reasoning — Formulation of treatment strategy
Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations (16%)
- A. Ethical behavior
- B. Professional boundaries
- C. Code of ethics violations
- D. The therapeutic relationship
- E. Dual relationships
- F. Sexual misconduct
- G. Massage/bodywork-related laws and regulations
- H. Scope of practice
- I. Professional communication
- J. Confidentiality
- K. Principles
Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%)
- A. Proper and safe use of equipment and supplies
- B. Practitioner hygiene
- C. Sanitation and cleanliness
- D. Safety practices — Facilities
- D. Safety practices — Practitioner safety
- D. Safety practices — Client safety
- E. Practitioner care — Body mechanics
- E. Practitioner care — Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- E. Practitioner care — Self-care
- E. Practitioner care — Injury prevention
- F. Draping — Safe and appropriate
- F. Draping — Communication
- G. Business Practices — Business planning
- G. Business Practices — Strategic planning
- G. Business Practices — Office management
- G. Business Practices — Marketing
- G. Business Practices — Hiring/Interviewing
- G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Client records
- G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Business records
- H. Healthcare and business terminology
Examination sources
- FSMTB MBLEx Content Outline
MBLEx Content Outline, title
- FSMTB MBLEx Content Outline
MBLEx Content Outline, footer
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Anatomy & Physiology heading
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Kinesiology heading
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Benefits and Effects heading
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Ethics heading
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Guidelines heading
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, Anatomy & Physiology item A
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.13, Content Outline, footer
- FSMTB Exam Content page
Exam Content page, FSMTB Job Task Analysis paragraph
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.26, Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.20, Test Length and Time Allowed
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.21, Examination Results Reported as PASS or FAIL
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.27, Criterion-Referenced Scoring, second paragraph
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.26, Development of the Examination, Stage 2
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.8, Fees
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.9, Authorization to Test (ATT)
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.16, Scheduling Your Exam Appointment
- FSMTB MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Candidate Handbook p.7, Exam Language