OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Nebraska Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NE · License preparation

304 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

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.

Temporary Massage Therapy License

Supervised temporary practice while awaiting the licensure examination.

Licensing authority: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Extension of supervised temporary license

At least one of the following alternatives:

Examination Timing
Examination passage remains deferred for the duration authorized; this pathway does not create an additional examination.
Existing Temporary License
Must already hold the supervised temporary license.
Good Cause
Submit a written extension request stating good cause; examples in 172 NAC 81-006.02 are illness during the examination, inclement-weather interruption, or an incapacitating injury affecting examination performance.
Limit
Department approval on Board recommendation; the temporary license cannot be extended beyond six months. Supervision remains required.
Supervised temporary licensure pending examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Age
At least 19 years old.
Application
Submit the complete attested DHHS application, required documents and applicable fees; statutory fee waivers are available for eligible young workers, low-income individuals and military families.
Board FAQ
The current DHHS FAQ states: "A Nebraska graduate who has met all requirements with the exception of the MBLEx examination and has not taken the examination is eligible to apply for a temporary license." The statute states the eligibility more broadly.
Character
Good character and disclosure of convictions and credential discipline, with supporting records as required by 172 NAC 10.
Education
Submit an official transcript from an approved massage therapy school documenting at least 1,000 hours over at least nine months; qualifying military education, training or service may be submitted for equivalency review.
Examination Timing
Passage is deferred: all permanent-license qualifications except examination passage must be met. The temporary credential lasts 60 days or until the examination is taken, whichever occurs first.
Failure
Failure voids the temporary license, except for a Department extension on Board recommendation for good cause; no extension may exceed six months. No temporary license may first be issued after examination failure.
Lawful Presence
Document citizenship or qualifying lawful presence under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129 and the application instructions.
Legacy Exam Scores
172 NAC 81-002.03 still lists NCETMB, NCETM and ACE. Former NCBTMB licensure examination scores remain applicant evidence; FSMTB Annual Report 2015 records cessation of NCBTMB licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. Do not substitute the registered BCETMB: Nebraska does not specifically name that examination in the obtained approved-examination list.
Open Examination Approval
The Board may approve other equivalent examinations under 172 NAC 81-002.03(C); that unnamed remainder is an applicant condition.
Other Licenses
Provide verification and requested disciplinary or denial records for health-related credentials held in other jurisdictions.
Supervision
Practice must be supervised by a licensed massage therapist; supervisor signatures and establishment information are required.

Massage Therapist License

Individual license to practice massage therapy, including initial issuance, reciprocity and return-to-practice pathways.

Licensing authority: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Practice
No practice while inactive, but the holder may represent having an inactive credential; the status may remain indefinitely.
Request
Notify the Department in writing of the desire for inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Age
At least 19 years old.
Application
Submit the complete attested DHHS application, required documents and applicable fees; statutory fee waivers are available for eligible young workers, low-income individuals and military families.
Character
Good character and disclosure of convictions and credential discipline, with supporting records as required by 172 NAC 10.
Education
Submit an official transcript from an approved massage therapy school documenting at least 1,000 hours over at least nine months; qualifying military education, training or service may be submitted for equivalency review.
Lawful Presence
Document citizenship or qualifying lawful presence under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129 and the application instructions.
Legacy Exam Scores
172 NAC 81-002.03 still lists NCETMB, NCETM and ACE. Former NCBTMB licensure examination scores remain applicant evidence; FSMTB Annual Report 2015 records cessation of NCBTMB licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. Do not substitute the registered BCETMB: Nebraska does not specifically name that examination in the obtained approved-examination list.
Open Examination Approval
The Board may approve other equivalent examinations under 172 NAC 81-002.03(C); that unnamed remainder is an applicant condition.
Other Licenses
Provide verification and requested disciplinary or denial records for health-related credentials held in other jurisdictions.
Reactivation from inactive status

At least one of the following alternatives:

Board FAQ
The DHHS Reinstatements FAQ states: "You do not have to take an exam to have your license reinstated." Examination-based continuing education is optional.
Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
A formerly licensed therapist whose credential is inactive; no practice until active status is restored.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Licensure by reciprocity

All of the following:

Age
At least 19 years old.
Application
Submit the complete attested DHHS application, required documents and applicable fees; statutory fee waivers are available for eligible young workers, low-income individuals and military families.
Character
Good character and disclosure of convictions and credential discipline, with supporting records as required by 172 NAC 10.
Education
Submit an official transcript from an approved massage therapy school documenting at least 1,000 hours over at least nine months; qualifying military education, training or service may be submitted for equivalency review.
Education Equivalency
For an applicant with fewer than 1,000 training hours, 50–60 minutes of massage study equals one hour; one semester credit equals 15 hours; each year of full-time practice equals 200 hours; up to 100 hours may be from NCBTMB- or FSMTB-approved continuing education. The prescribed subject-area distribution is waived.
Existing Credential
Credentialed or authorized to practice massage therapy in another jurisdiction; the Department and Board assess substantially equivalent requirements under § 38-1712.
Jurisprudence Score
At least 75% on the Nebraska jurisprudence examination; print the completed examination and submit it with the application.
Lawful Presence
Document citizenship or qualifying lawful presence under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-129 and the application instructions.
Legacy Exam Scores
172 NAC 81-002.03 still lists NCETMB, NCETM and ACE. Former NCBTMB licensure examination scores remain applicant evidence; FSMTB Annual Report 2015 records cessation of NCBTMB licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. Do not substitute the registered BCETMB: Nebraska does not specifically name that examination in the obtained approved-examination list.
Open Examination Approval
The Board may approve other equivalent examinations under 172 NAC 81-002.03(C); that unnamed remainder is an applicant condition.
Other Licenses
Provide verification and requested disciplinary or denial records for health-related credentials held in other jurisdictions.
Reinstatement after expiration

At least one of the following alternatives:

Board FAQ
The DHHS Reinstatements FAQ states: "You do not have to take an exam to have your license reinstated." Examination-based continuing education is optional.
Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
A formerly licensed therapist whose license expired; do not practice before reinstatement. Submit the renewal and reinstatement fees.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Reinstatement after revocation

At least one of the following alternatives:

Board Discretion
The Department with Board recommendation may require the unnamed examinations, diagnostic evaluations, additional education or inspection described in § 38-149(2). These remain conditions.
Board Review
Provide corrective-action information and obtain an affirmative Board recommendation and Department approval.
Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
May apply after two years have elapsed from revocation.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Reinstatement after definite voluntary surrender

At least one of the following alternatives:

Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
May apply only after the definite surrender period has elapsed; disclose corrective actions addressing the surrender.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Reinstatement after indefinite voluntary surrender

At least one of the following alternatives:

Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
May apply at any time following indefinite voluntary surrender; disclose corrective actions addressing the surrender.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Reinstatement of suspended or limited license

At least one of the following alternatives:

Board Discretion
Under § 38-149(2), the Board may require a diagnostic evaluation, an unspecified written/oral/practical examination, additional education, a site inspection, or a combination. No particular additional examination is identified; these are case-specific conditions.
Board Review
Board recommendation and Department decision may restore full practice or impose probation or limitations; provide corrective-action evidence.
Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
Prior Status
May apply at any time after suspension or limitation.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.
Biennial renewal

At least one of the following alternatives:

Continuing Education
Complete 16 hours in the relevant preceding 24 months; at least eight hands-on hours and three ethics hours. No more than eight hours may be non-hands-on or online/electronic. Workshops must contain at least 75% hands-on technique and allow hands-on participation.
Examination Optionality
The examination references are optional continuing-education alternatives, not mandatory re-examination. An approved licensure examination grants five hours; the Nebraska jurisprudence examination at 75% grants three hours. Applicants may satisfy continuing education entirely through other approved activities or an applicable waiver and need not sit either examination.
Lawful Presence
Submit the complete attested application, identity and lawful-presence documents, applicable fees, and requested conviction and other-credential records.
Other Activities
Publication, teaching, school or college coursework, home study and presenter credit may supply credit within the limits of 172 NAC 81-008.04.
School Practical Slot
A practical examination administered by a Nebraska licensed massage therapy school grants three hours toward hands-on credit. The rule identifies no single licensing-board examination, so this school-specific activity is an applicant condition.
Timing
Submit renewal before November 1 of each odd-numbered year.
Waivers
Continuing competency may be waived for active military service, first credentialing within the preceding 24 months, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control under § 38-146 and 172 NAC 10-004.03.

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

Nebraska Massage Therapy Examination

Provider
Nebraska DHHS, Board of Massage Therapy
Format
Open-book multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
50
Passing score
75%
Examination outline
  • 172 NAC Chapter 81 — Massage Therapists
  • 172 NAC Chapter 82 — Massage Therapy Establishments and Schools
  • 172 NAC Chapter 5 — Mandatory Reporting by Health Care Professionals, Facilities, Peer Review Organizations, Professional Associations, and Insurers
  • Uniform Credentialing Act
  • Massage Therapy Practice Act
  • 172 NAC Chapter 9 — Business Credentials Issued under the Uniform Credentialing Act
  • 172 NAC Chapter 10 — Credentials Issued under the Uniform Credentialing Act
  • Administrative Procedure Act
Examination sources