Free Massage Therapy Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Massage Therapy Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Hawaii massage apprentice is in training. Which sponsor location and availability satisfy direct supervision?

   1. A. Off premises but available by telephone
   2. B. On the establishment premises and available to the apprentice
   3. C. At another establishment with a licensed therapist
   4. D. At the board office and available by appointment

   Answer: B

   Explanation: HAR §16-84-2 states that direct supervision requires the sponsoring massage therapist to be “on the premises of the establishment when the apprentice is in training and available to the apprentice.” Telephone availability alone does not satisfy both conditions.

   Reference: Har Title 16 Chapter 84 — HAR §16-84-2, definition of direct supervision

2. 2During an anatomy review, a student is asked to classify the stomach as a structure made of several tissue types working for a special function. What organizational level is it?

   1. A. Cell
   2. B. Tissue
   3. C. Organ
   4. D. System

   Answer: C

   Explanation: NCI's SEER module states: “An organ is an organization of several different kinds of tissues so arranged that together they can perform a special function.”

   Reference: Introduction to the Human Body | SEER Training — Introduction to the Human Body, Organs

3. 3Which action is the defining practice of massage therapy rather than an adjunct used with it?

   1. A. Manual assessment and manipulation of superficial soft tissues
   2. B. Active and passive range-of-motion exercise
   3. C. External application of water, heat, or cold
   4. D. Use of devices to enhance manual therapy

   Answer: A

   Explanation: VA Whole Health defines massage therapy as “the systematic manipulation of soft tissue with the hands.”

   Reference: Massage - Whole Health Library — Types of Massage Therapy

4. 4A client presents with a contagious skin condition over the planned treatment area. What is the safest session decision?

   1. A. Proceed with lighter pressure over the area
   2. B. Cover the area and use deeper pressure nearby
   3. C. Avoid massage and defer until the contagious condition is resolved or medically cleared
   4. D. Use only vibration over the affected skin

   Answer: C

   Explanation: VA Whole Health lists “Infectious or contagious skin conditions” among massage contraindications. Changing technique does not remove the transmission concern.

   Reference: Massage - Whole Health Library — What To Watch Out For (Harms)

5. 5A licensed Hawaii massage therapist wants to sponsor an apprentice. What minimum period of Hawaii licensure must the therapist have?

   1. A. One year
   2. B. Two years
   3. C. Three years
   4. D. Five years

   Answer: C

   Explanation: HAR §16-84-2 defines a sponsoring massage therapist as one “licensed in this state for at least three years.” The three-year period is the controlling qualification.

   Reference: Har Title 16 Chapter 84 — HAR §16-84-2, sponsoring massage therapist

6. 6A therapist documents that a tender point lies closer to the body's midline than a nearby landmark. Which directional term is correct?

   1. A. Lateral
   2. B. Distal
   3. C. Medial
   4. D. Posterior

   Answer: C

   Explanation: SEER defines medial as “toward the midline of the body.”

   Reference: Anatomical Terminology | SEER Training — Directional Terms

7. 7Which two broad actions characterize Swedish massage in the VA Whole Health description?

   1. A. Stroking and kneading
   2. B. Tapping and slapping
   3. C. Pressing and holding
   4. D. Rolling and compressing

   Answer: A

   Explanation: VA Whole Health states that Swedish massage “involves stroking and kneading the body using various methods.”

   Reference: Passport to Whole Health: Chapter 16 - Whole Health Library — Types of Massage Therapy

8. 8A client has acute inflammation in the tissue proposed for treatment. Which local technique decision is most appropriate?

   1. A. Apply friction over the inflamed site
   2. B. Avoid massage of the acutely inflamed area
   3. C. Use percussion directly over the site
   4. D. Use light stroking directly over the site

   Answer: B

   Explanation: VA Whole Health lists “Acute inflammation” among contraindications to massage.

   Reference: Massage - Whole Health Library — What To Watch Out For (Harms)

9. 9Before filing a Hawaii application for the massage examination, which preparation must an applicant complete?

   1. A. Either the prescribed apprenticeship program or the massage-student course of study
   2. B. A two-year college degree in health sciences
   3. C. One year of independent massage practice
   4. D. A national certification examination

   Answer: A

   Explanation: HAR §16-84-7(c) requires an applicant to complete “either the apprenticeship program as outlined in section 16-84-23 or the course of study as a massage student outlined in section 16-84-48” before filing the examination application.

   Reference: Har Title 16 Chapter 84 — HAR §16-84-7(c)

10. 10Which anatomical plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?

    1. A. Sagittal plane
    2. B. Coronal plane
    3. C. Transverse plane
    4. D. Median plane

    Answer: B

    Explanation: SEER describes the coronal or frontal plane as a vertical plane that “divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.”

    Reference: Anatomical Terminology | SEER Training — Planes of the Body