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New Jersey Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NJ · License preparation

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Massage and Bodywork Therapist License

Individual practitioner license, including active and inactive renewal status. Employer registration under N.J.S.A. 45:11-76 concerns an employing business rather than another practitioner license.

Licensing authority: New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy · Application information

Initial licensure by education and examination
Application
Completed application, application fee and official passing scores sent directly by the examination owner.
Clinical documentation
School sends the supervising faculty member certification directly to the Board in an official sealed envelope.
Course content
At least 90 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, ethics and law, theory and practice, related electives, and 100 clinical hours on school premises supervised by an on-site qualified faculty member.
Course recency
Complete the qualifying course no more than five years before application.
Education
N.J.S.A. 45:11-60(a) requires at least 600 hours of Board-approved class study.
First aid
Current CPR, Firstaid and AED certification from a provider accepted by N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.1(c)5.
Insurance
Professional liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Moral character
Good moral character and no statutory disqualification; criminal history authorization, fingerprinting and a background check are required.
Other licenses
Obtain official verification of every professional license or certification held in any United States jurisdiction.
School approval
School approved or accredited by the New Jersey education, labor or higher education authority, or a substantially equivalent agency of another state; official transcript sent directly to the Board.
Initial licensure for the Board announced 500 hour transition cohort
Application
Completed application, application fee and official passing scores sent directly by the examination owner.
Clinical documentation
School sends the supervising faculty member certification directly to the Board in an official sealed envelope.
Course content
At least 90 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, ethics and law, theory and practice, related electives, and 100 clinical hours on school premises supervised by an on-site qualified faculty member.
Course recency
Complete the qualifying course no more than five years before application.
Education
N.J.S.A. 45:11-60(a) requires at least 600 hours of Board-approved class study.
First aid
Current CPR, Firstaid and AED certification from a provider accepted by N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.1(c)5.
Insurance
Professional liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Moral character
Good moral character and no statutory disqualification; criminal history authorization, fingerprinting and a background check are required.
Other licenses
Obtain official verification of every professional license or certification held in any United States jurisdiction.
School approval
School approved or accredited by the New Jersey education, labor or higher education authority, or a substantially equivalent agency of another state; official transcript sent directly to the Board.
Transition policy
The Board applications Alert states: "the Board will issue a license to any applicant who completed or enrolled in a program requiring at least 500 hours of class study prior to the effective date of the Board’s forthcoming regulations implementing the Act", provided 500 hours are completed, the course satisfies regulatory requirements and other licensure requirements are met. The statute requires 600 hours; the Board notice announces no effective date for the forthcoming regulations.
Initial licensure with equivalent military training credit
Application
Completed application, application fee and official passing scores sent directly by the examination owner.
Clinical documentation
School sends the supervising faculty member certification directly to the Board in an official sealed envelope.
Course content
At least 90 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, ethics and law, theory and practice, related electives, and 100 clinical hours on school premises supervised by an on-site qualified faculty member.
Course recency
Complete the qualifying course no more than five years before application.
Education
N.J.S.A. 45:11-60(a) requires at least 600 hours of Board-approved class study.
First aid
Current CPR, Firstaid and AED certification from a provider accepted by N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.1(c)5.
Insurance
Professional liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Military credit
An honorably discharged veteran receives credit for substantially equivalent military education, training or experience under N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.3; submit the VMET DD Form 2586 and satisfy all other requirements, including examination.
Moral character
Good moral character and no statutory disqualification; criminal history authorization, fingerprinting and a background check are required.
Other licenses
Obtain official verification of every professional license or certification held in any United States jurisdiction.
School approval
School approved or accredited by the New Jersey education, labor or higher education authority, or a substantially equivalent agency of another state; official transcript sent directly to the Board.
Ordinary reciprocity for a nonresident military spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed application and fee; Board process instructions additionally request CPR, Firstaid and AED certification and direct official license verifications.
Background
Consent to the criminal history check, pay its fee and obtain a result without a disqualifying conviction.
Board exam instruction
The lower-ranked Board Application Qualifications page states: "Applicants who are licensed in another state must meet the same education hours and exam requirements". N.J.S.A. 45:11-64 directs issuance without examination; preserve this Board demand as an applicant condition.
Disaster documentation
For six months after a natural disaster or catastrophe in the issuing jurisdiction, license verification may be deemed satisfied if the Board finds that jurisdiction cannot timely provide it; submit the documents as soon as practicable.
Equivalent examination
Prior examination qualifications must be substantially equivalent; the Board rule says the examination need not be identical but must be nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor. It names no examination.
Existing license
Valid current corresponding license or certification in another United States jurisdiction; substantially equivalent education, training and experience.
Experience credit
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(e) allows experience to compensate for education and examination disparities.
Good standing
Official license verification, no adverse licensing or practice actions, pending discipline or disqualifying criminal matter, and all fines paid; a separate discretionary pending-action pathway exists.
Insurance
Maintain liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Jurisprudence permission
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(j) permits the Board to require an online jurisprudence course or orientation; it identifies no adopted massage examination.
Military spouse
Nonresident spouse of an active-duty member transferred to New Jersey, domiciled here or moved here on permanent change of station; the Board chooses ordinary endorsement/reciprocity or temporary courtesy licensing.
Practice
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(a)2 requires practice within the preceding five years. The Board rule N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.2(a)2 additionally states at least three years of practice within those five years.
Qualification documents
Provide education, training and examination-result verification no later than six months after issuance; answer all initial application questions truthfully and satisfy applicable initial prerequisites.
Service agent
The statute requires a New Jersey agent for a nonresident without a New Jersey office; the Board rule states nonresident OR no New Jersey office.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after administrative abandonment
Abandoned application
After an incomplete application is abandoned two years after the first missing-information notice, reapply under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.1.
Application
Completed application, application fee and official passing scores sent directly by the examination owner.
Clinical documentation
School sends the supervising faculty member certification directly to the Board in an official sealed envelope.
Course content
At least 90 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, ethics and law, theory and practice, related electives, and 100 clinical hours on school premises supervised by an on-site qualified faculty member.
Course recency
Complete the qualifying course no more than five years before application.
Education
N.J.S.A. 45:11-60(a) requires at least 600 hours of Board-approved class study.
First aid
Current CPR, Firstaid and AED certification from a provider accepted by N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.1(c)5.
Insurance
Professional liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Moral character
Good moral character and no statutory disqualification; criminal history authorization, fingerprinting and a background check are required.
Other licenses
Obtain official verification of every professional license or certification held in any United States jurisdiction.
School approval
School approved or accredited by the New Jersey education, labor or higher education authority, or a substantially equivalent agency of another state; official transcript sent directly to the Board.
Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed application and fee; Board process instructions additionally request CPR, Firstaid and AED certification and direct official license verifications.
Background
Consent to the criminal history check, pay its fee and obtain a result without a disqualifying conviction.
Board exam instruction
The lower-ranked Board Application Qualifications page states: "Applicants who are licensed in another state must meet the same education hours and exam requirements". N.J.S.A. 45:11-64 directs issuance without examination; preserve this Board demand as an applicant condition.
Disaster documentation
For six months after a natural disaster or catastrophe in the issuing jurisdiction, license verification may be deemed satisfied if the Board finds that jurisdiction cannot timely provide it; submit the documents as soon as practicable.
Equivalent examination
Prior examination qualifications must be substantially equivalent; the Board rule says the examination need not be identical but must be nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor. It names no examination.
Existing license
Valid current corresponding license or certification in another United States jurisdiction; substantially equivalent education, training and experience.
Experience credit
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(e) allows experience to compensate for education and examination disparities.
Good standing
Official license verification, no adverse licensing or practice actions, pending discipline or disqualifying criminal matter, and all fines paid; a separate discretionary pending-action pathway exists.
Insurance
Maintain liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Jurisprudence permission
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(j) permits the Board to require an online jurisprudence course or orientation; it identifies no adopted massage examination.
Practice
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(a)2 requires practice within the preceding five years. The Board rule N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.2(a)2 additionally states at least three years of practice within those five years.
Qualification documents
Provide education, training and examination-result verification no later than six months after issuance; answer all initial application questions truthfully and satisfy applicable initial prerequisites.
Service agent
The statute requires a New Jersey agent for a nonresident without a New Jersey office; the Board rule states nonresident OR no New Jersey office.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Discretionary reciprocity despite a pending action
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed application and fee; Board process instructions additionally request CPR, Firstaid and AED certification and direct official license verifications.
Background
Consent to the criminal history check, pay its fee and obtain a result without a disqualifying conviction.
Board exam instruction
The lower-ranked Board Application Qualifications page states: "Applicants who are licensed in another state must meet the same education hours and exam requirements". N.J.S.A. 45:11-64 directs issuance without examination; preserve this Board demand as an applicant condition.
Disaster documentation
For six months after a natural disaster or catastrophe in the issuing jurisdiction, license verification may be deemed satisfied if the Board finds that jurisdiction cannot timely provide it; submit the documents as soon as practicable.
Equivalent examination
Prior examination qualifications must be substantially equivalent; the Board rule says the examination need not be identical but must be nationally recognized and of comparable scope and rigor. It names no examination.
Existing license
Valid current corresponding license or certification in another United States jurisdiction; substantially equivalent education, training and experience.
Experience credit
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(e) allows experience to compensate for education and examination disparities.
Good standing
Official license verification, no adverse licensing or practice actions, pending discipline or disqualifying criminal matter, and all fines paid; a separate discretionary pending-action pathway exists.
Insurance
Maintain liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Jurisprudence permission
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(j) permits the Board to require an online jurisprudence course or orientation; it identifies no adopted massage examination.
Pending action exception
The Board may grant reciprocity despite pending licensing, employment, disciplinary or criminal action when the alleged conduct does not show a serious inability to practice or adversely affect public health, safety or welfare, cause economic or physical harm, or create a significant threat of such harm.
Practice
N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5(a)2 requires practice within the preceding five years. The Board rule N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.2(a)2 additionally states at least three years of practice within those five years.
Qualification documents
Provide education, training and examination-result verification no later than six months after issuance; answer all initial application questions truthfully and satisfy applicable initial prerequisites.
Service agent
The statute requires a New Jersey agent for a nonresident without a New Jersey office; the Board rule states nonresident OR no New Jersey office.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit biennial renewal application and fee before expiration.
Continuing education
20 credits in the prior biennial period, including two ethics hours and one hour of New Jersey laws and rules; a licensee initially licensed in the second year of the period completes 10 credits including two ethics hours under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-4.1(d).
Insurance
Attest to liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Life support
Attest to current CPR and AED certification from a rule-approved provider.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after protected active military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit biennial renewal application and fee before expiration.
Continuing education
20 credits in the prior biennial period, including two ethics hours and one hour of New Jersey laws and rules; a licensee initially licensed in the second year of the period completes 10 credits including two ethics hours under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-4.1(d).
Insurance
Attest to liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Life support
Attest to current CPR and AED certification from a rule-approved provider.
Military service
Qualifying active service extends expiration through service and up to 120 days after return. Apply within 120 days with service documentation for waiver of late fees, reinstatement fees and reinstatement requirements; normal renewal activities and fees remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal with election of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit biennial renewal application and fee before expiration.
Continuing education
20 credits in the prior biennial period, including two ethics hours and one hour of New Jersey laws and rules; a licensee initially licensed in the second year of the period completes 10 credits including two ethics hours under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-4.1(d).
Inactive status
Elect inactive status and do not practice or hold out as eligible to practice in New Jersey until reactivated; pay the applicable inactive renewal fee.
Insurance
Attest to liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Life support
Attest to current CPR and AED certification from a rule-approved provider.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal within the 30 day grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit biennial renewal application and fee before expiration.
Continuing education
20 credits in the prior biennial period, including two ethics hours and one hour of New Jersey laws and rules; a licensee initially licensed in the second year of the period completes 10 credits including two ethics hours under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-4.1(d).
Insurance
Attest to liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate annually.
Late renewal
Renew within 30 days of expiration with renewal and late fees; license remains valid during that period. Special late-notice protection applies under N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.1(e).
Life support
Attest to current CPR and AED certification from a rule-approved provider.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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

Board Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

Provider
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork; developed, administered and scored with Prometric at Prometric test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice certification examination; four choices per question with one correct answer; results communicated on screen at completion as Pass or No Pass
Exam questions
140 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
140 minutes
Passing score
Scale score; each question graded right or wrong with no partial credit; reported as Pass or No Pass
Exam fee
$275 Board Certification Examination Fee
Examination outline
  • Assessment, Care Planning, and Documentation (25%)
    • Knowledge — Interview techniques (e.g., open-ended and fact-finding questions, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, reflective listening)
    • Knowledge — Assessment methods (e.g., health history, observation, palpation, range of motion, posture, gait, pain scale, special tests)
    • Knowledge — Common pathologies, injuries, and pre-/post-surgical considerations
    • Knowledge — Common prescription and non-prescription medications, their effects, and side effects (e.g., pain medications, muscle relaxants, cardiovascular agents, anti-inflammatories)
    • Knowledge — Stages of tissue healing
    • Knowledge — Special populations (e.g., pregnancy, oncology, geriatric, athletes, disabilities, palliative)
    • Knowledge — Indications and contraindications
    • Knowledge — How to customize a massage (e.g., analysis, synthesis, application of client information, and research data)
    • Knowledge — How to communicate with clients in understandable terms
    • Knowledge — Informed consent (e.g., risks and benefits)
    • Knowledge — Documentation formats (e.g., Subjective, Objective, Assessment/Application, Plan [SOAP], Focus, Data, Action, Response [FDAR])
    • Knowledge — Medically accepted terminology
    • Knowledge — Health care practices (e.g., prescription for treatment, medical insurance, procedural codes)
    • Skills — Use a variety of interview techniques to gather client information
    • Skills — Conduct a variety of assessments (e.g., range of motion, posture, gait, pain scale, palpation)
    • Skills — Develop a plan for the massage session (e.g., short-term, long-term where appropriate)
    • Skills — Identify and discuss indications, contraindications, pathologies, and special accommodations, and adapt the session as needed
    • Skills — Obtain informed consent
    • Skills — Adapt massage for pre- and post-surgical considerations
    • Skills — Adapt massage based on prescription and non-prescription medications
    • Skills — Customize massage based on client's goals
    • Skills — Monitor client responses, and solicit feedback during and after the session
    • Skills — Educate client about the care plan, including self-care activities as appropriate
    • Skills — Maintain client documentation
    • Skills — Utilize medically accepted terminology in client documentation
    • Skills — Collaborate with health care providers when appropriate
    • Skills — Apply research evidence to client-centered care planning
  • Massage Techniques and Modalities (24%)
    • Knowledge — General massage techniques (e.g., effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, friction)
    • Knowledge — Massage modalities (e.g., Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular/trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation [PNF], Eastern and energetic bodywork therapies)
    • Knowledge — Pressure and manual forces (e.g., compression, tension/decompression, friction/shear, bending, torsion, vibration)
    • Knowledge — Stretching (e.g., barriers, end-feel)
    • Knowledge — Joint mobilization
    • Knowledge — Endangerment sites and adverse events
    • Knowledge — Client positioning (e.g., prone, supine, bolstered, side-lying, seated)
    • Knowledge — Appropriate use of tools and equipment
    • Knowledge — Appropriate use of topical agents (e.g., analgesics, essential oils, CBD)
    • Knowledge — Benefits and effects of techniques and modalities
    • Knowledge — Draping techniques
    • Skills — Apply massage and bodywork techniques in a safe manner, monitoring responses and adapting techniques as needed
    • Skills — Utilize effective body mechanics during the session
    • Skills — Identify the benefits of massage and bodywork techniques and modalities
    • Skills — Identify endangerment sites and adverse effects
    • Skills — Position clients for comfort and safety, utilizing positioning equipment as appropriate
    • Skills — Apply appropriate draping techniques
  • Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology (24%)
    • Knowledge — Anatomy and physiology of all body systems, including: Integumentary system; Muscular system; Skeletal system; Nervous system; Cardiovascular system; Lymphatic system; Endocrine system; Reproductive system; Respiratory system; Digestive system; Urinary system
    • Knowledge — Immune response (e.g., inflammation, lethargy)
    • Knowledge — Kinesiology (e.g., mechanics of body movement including levers, agonists, antagonists, synergists, compensatory patterns)
    • Skills — Identify structures, functions, and interactions of body systems (i.e., integumentary, muscular, skeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, reproductive, respiratory, digestive, urinary)
    • Skills — Identify origins, insertions, actions, functions, and innervations of muscles
    • Skills — Identify types of muscle contractions
  • Professional Practice (14%)
    • Knowledge — NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice
    • Knowledge — Standard of care for safe practice procedures (e.g., infection control)
    • Knowledge — Information literacy and research literacy (i.e., how to locate and evaluate research)
    • Knowledge — Professional development (e.g., continuing education, specialty credentials, board certification)
    • Knowledge — Therapist self-care (e.g., body mechanics, physical activity, hand-held tools, professional consultation, mentorships)
    • Knowledge — Business entities (e.g., independent contractor, employee, business structure)
    • Knowledge — Business practices and policies (e.g., marketing, cancellation, no-show)
    • Knowledge — Accounting principles and financial record keeping (e.g., tax filings, profit and loss, income reporting, bartering)
    • Knowledge — Professional liability insurance
    • Knowledge — Emergency preparedness (e.g., medical emergencies, disaster preparedness)
    • Skills — Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and accessible facility
    • Skills — Clean, disinfect, and maintain tools and equipment
    • Skills — Stay current with massage therapy research
    • Skills — Participate in professional development
    • Skills — Apply standard massage therapy business and employment practices
    • Skills — Practice self-care regimen for injury prevention and career longevity
    • Skills — Manage medical emergencies when they arise
  • Law and Ethics (13%)
    • Knowledge — Massage practice laws and regulations (e.g., licensing, scope of practice, insurance requirements)
    • Knowledge — Legal requirements for record keeping (e.g., retention, release, disposal, HIPAA)
    • Knowledge — Establishment laws and zoning ordinances
    • Knowledge — Ethical principles (e.g., confidentiality, autonomy, veracity, non-malfeasance, beneficence, nondiscrimination, empathy)
    • Knowledge — Professional roles and boundaries (e.g., dual relationships, power differential, transference and countertransference)
    • Knowledge — Ethical strategies for managing and resolving conflict (e.g., conflicts of interest, how and when to terminate a session, right of refusal)
    • Knowledge — NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics
    • Knowledge — Cultural sensitivity
    • Knowledge — When, where, and how to report inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct (e.g., clients, peers)
    • Knowledge — Mandatory reporting requirements (e.g., human trafficking, minors and dependent adults)
    • Skills — Follow local and state laws and regulations for massage therapy practice, operating within scope of practice
    • Skills — Maintain client information and records, safeguarding client confidentiality
    • Skills — Apply ethical principles in professional interactions
    • Skills — Establish and maintain professional, culturally sensitive relationships with clients
    • Skills — Identify and manage legal and ethical conflicts
    • Skills — Establish, communicate, and respect therapist/client roles and boundaries
    • Skills — Report inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct to the proper authorities
Examination sources