Meet the MBLExMassage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

Presented by Debra Persinger, PhD

FSMTB Executive Director

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)

• Formed August 2005

• Mission: To Support Members Boards • Facilitate communication between massage boards• Promote compatible requirements to increase portability • Create valid reliable licensing examination

• Other Perceived Needs:• Consistent scope of practice • Clear entry-level standards • National database of practitioners

We Asked You: What types of obstacles do your students

face when applying for their licensing?

What You Told Us

1. NCBTMB has a confusing application process

2. Slow turn-around on applications by NCBTMB

3. Lost documents at NCBTMB

4. Students have limited funds

5. Distance to testing site (some students)

6. Student may have limited computer skills

7. Language barriers

The MBLEx Overview

• Simple application process • Online application in development

• 1 week turn-around on applications

• 125 multiple choice questions

• $195 fee

• Online testing tutorial

• Practice tests are in development

• Results to states every 24 hours

MBLEx Adoption

• Arkansas

• Georgia

• Iowa

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Mississippi

• New Mexico

• Oregon

• Puerto Rico

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Washington

• West Virginia

MBLEx Development

• Over 60 subject matter experts

• All geographical regions represented

• 15 psychometricians and testing specialists

• Inclusion of regulatory community

• Based on input from 7,646 massage & bodywork practitioners

• Use of best practices for test development

Content Outline

• Anatomy & Physiology• 14%

• System structure

• System function

• Health care terminology

• Tissue injury and repair

• Concepts of energetic anatomy

• Kinesiology • 11%

• Components/characteristics of muscle tissue

• Muscle contractions

• Proprioceptors

• Locations, attachments, fiber direction

• Actions

• Joint structure and function

• Range of motion

Content Outline

• Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations • 13%• Common pathologies • Contraindications • Areas of caution • Special populations • Classes of medication

• Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue• 17%• Physiological effects of soft-tissue

manipulation • Psychological aspects and benefits

of touch• Benefits of soft-tissue

manipulation• Soft-tissue techniques

• Types of strokes/sequence• Hot/cold applications

Content Outline

• Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning • 17%

• Organization of a session

• Client consultation and evaluation

• Written data collection

• Visual assessment

• Palpation assessment

• Range of motion assessment

• Clinical reasoning

• Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modalities • 5%

• History of massage & bodywork

• Overview of different skill sets used in contemporary massage/bodywork environments

• Overview of modalities

Content Outline

• Ethics, Boundaries, Laws and Regulations • 13%• Ethical behavior • Professional boundaries • Code of ethics violations • The therapeutic relationship• Dual relationships • Sexual misconduct • Laws and regulations • Scope of practice • Professional communication • Confidentiality • Principles

• Guidelines for Professional Practice • 10%• Safe use equipment/supplies • Hygiene • Sanitation and cleanliness • Safety practices • Therapist self-care • Draping • Business practices

Time for a Poll! FSMTB is developing practice tests for the MBLEx. Would schools and students prefer one big practice test covering all areas, or would they prefer smaller practice tests covering each content area?  ☐I want one big practice test ☐I want small practice tests covering each content area

MBLEx Application Process Overview

Application Through FSMTBStep 1: Gather Information

• Download from www.fsmtb.org• Candidate handbook

• MBLEx application

• MBLEx content outline

• Other documents if required

Step 2: Apply

• Complete the application

• Submit application to FSMTB• $195 fee

• No need to send transcripts

MBLExA simple application form!

No need to send transcripts!

Application Through FSMTB

Step 3: Wait for a Notice to

Schedule (NTS)• NTS arrives via e-mail

(if provided) or regular mail

• Includes information about where and how to test

Step 4: Register

• Follow the directions on the NTS to register

• A registration confirmation arrives with: • Test date

• Test time

• Test location

Application Through FSMTB

Step 5: Test!

• Arrive 30 minutes early

• 2 forms of current ID

Step 6: Score!

• Score report received at test site

• Verification of score report sent directly to the state

• Students can test before graduation leading to faster licensing, job placement and career start

Application Through State Board/Agency

• Each state/jurisdiction is different• Log onto state board/agency website for details (links to

boards/agency sites available at www.fsmtb.org)

• States/jurisdictions usually require transcripts from school for licensing.

Differences

MBLEx

• Licensing exam

• Involvement of regulatory community in exam development

• Based on large JTA

NCBTMB

• Certification exam

• No involvement of regulatory community in exam development

• Based on small JTA

Time for a Poll!

Conclusions

• Reviewed history of FSMTB

• Overview of the MBLEx

• Contents of the MBLEx

• Application process for the MBLEx

Questions?