“Congratulations! You have passed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).”
If you did not read beyond this line on your score report, it’s understandable.
This right of passage done, there is likely more work to do. You may have been so focused on your exam, you have not thought about what is next.
Below the good news about your passing it says:
“PLEASE NOTE: Your result of PASS does NOT indicate that you have a right to legally practice or that you have received a license to practice. You must apply for a license through your State licensing board of agency. Contact information for State licensing boards and agencies is available at fsmtb.org.”
Licensing
Passing the MBLEX does not give you the right to practice massage without a license. The exam is just part of the licence equation.
Most states require you meet all of their requirements and qualifications:
- Minimum Age
- Passing a Licensing Exam
- The MBLEx is currently the only licensing exam being offered, except states that issue their own exam.
- You should have selected a state to have your passing results sent to when you took the MBLEx. If you did, your score results will be sent to your state board within 24 hours.
- If you did not select a state on your MBLEx application for your results to be sent, you need to fill out a mobility form on the FSMTB’s website.
- Minimum Massage Training Education Hours
- Most states require education requirement (500-1000 hour program)
- Background Check
- Like many other health professionals, laws are designed to protect the public, not the other way around. Background checks help the board protect the public from applicants with criminal backgrounds.
- Submit an Application and Fee
- Applications for massage licenses can be found on your State massage board’s website. Links to the FSMTB member boards and agencies are listed at the FSMTB website.
Other items for legal practice in your state may include:
- Establishment License
- Establishment licenses may be required at any location that offers massage services.
- Occupational or Business License
- DBA (Doing Business As)
- Practical Exam
- Hands on demonstration
- Jurisprudence Exam
- This applies to Texas and Oregon therapists
Fill out your applications, and patiently wait for your license in the mail.
Don’t Procrastinate
For the most part, your scores are good for eternity. They do not expire, meaning you can use them for license portability for years to come. However, laws can change, and some states, like Louisiana, want you to take the MBLEx within two years of applying for a license. This means if you pass the MBLEx today and wait beyond two years to apply to Louisiana, a simple score report and $20 will not suffice. You would need to take the MBLEx again.
Please, don’t procrastinate!
More FAQ
My state board is not listed with the FSMTB, what should I do?
Your state may not require a massage licence to practice massage. A few states, like Vermont and Minnesota, do not regulate massage at a state level. Within these states, you may find massage therapy is regulated at a local level.
Now that I have passed the MBLEx, can I practice massage in every state?
No!
Have you ever been told passing the NCETMB or MBLEX allows you to practice anywhere, or that it is a “national license?”
This “pass the test, practice anywhere” misconception has been around for decades. The former NCETMB exam was called the “national exam.” This led many people to believe if they passed that exam, they could move anywhere and practice massage without obtaining another licence. Not so; it’s slightly more complicated.
You still need to apply for and hold an active license in every state where you practice massage.
I am moving and want to get a license in another state, do I need to take the MBLEx again?
If you want a license in another state you most likely do not need to take the MBLEX again. Yay! Over 40 states accept the MBLEx for their state licensing exam. Exceptions to this would be if you move to a state that has its own licensing exam, like New York or Hawaii.
If you would like to “reuse” your scores to get a license in another state, you need to contact the FSMTB, fill out a mobility form and pay a $20 fee.
The only issue you may run into with moving is having enough education hours, so be sure to check that requirement. License reciprocity, or one state board recognizing the educational requirements of another state board, in the massage field can be frustrating when moving.
Can I have more than one massage license?
Yes, you can have multiple state licenses. I do. It is not as difficult as you may think to manage multiple licenses. Just follow the laws in the state you are currently practicing in. Pay all renewal fees and complete your continuing education requirements for all the states where you want to keep a valid license.
In my opinion, it’s in a person’s best interest to keep a massage license valid in their former state even after moving. Some people who have planned to “never return home” do, and then find getting re-licensed is difficult because the laws and requirements have changed. If you keep a license valid while you are away, this problem will likely not exist.
Good Luck!
Finally, I wish you the best with your professional career and thank you for including me on your journey if you are ending your time here at Massage Exam Academy. I have never regretted choosing massage therapy as a career. The opportunities massage has provided me and witnessing the benefits of touch are beyond what words can express. I hope you enjoy the adventure and opportunity to serve others!
If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
– Ivy
Hello! I have a rather specific question relating to getting my license. I recently passed the mblex, however, a few years ago due to a stupid mistake in Walmart self check out, I have a petty theft charge. I’m mainly wondering how this will affect me applying for a license/what extra steps I’ll need to take. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Well, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice :). Each board is different too. Most will make you list if you have every plead guilty to anything or no contest. For instance, Florida denies licenses for certain chargers. I cannot remember them all exactly, but any crimes having to do with human trafficking are on there. I have not seen petty theft keep someone from a license there. They often will give you a chance to explain the circumstances too. This happens a lot with OWI charges. Also, I have seen boards deny licenses if the person fails to put the charge down and then it is found on their background check. They do not like that. So, I know it is not an answer, but I hope that helps you out. You can call the massage board office or contact a lawyer for further guidance.
Hi, I am restoring my license, are my MBLEx scores still good or do I need to retake the exam?
Hi Sarah,
In almost all cases, you should not need to take the exam. Scores do not expire. I believe there is only one, maybe two, states that require the exam be within two years for applicants.
I took my test and passed today, thank you for posting your articles and practice tests!
I took my mblex here South Carolina and passed do my results expire I have not yet applies for my license
In most cases, no. I can only think of one state (Louisiana) which requires your scores be from within the last two years if you do not have an active license elsewhere.
Hello Ivy. I am taking my MBLEX to recertify and acquire my massage license a second time around. I’m just not sure which application to fill out to send to my State Board in Maryland?
If your license is expired in Maryland, I believe you would fill out the same application–>
https://health.maryland.gov/massage/Documents/app.pdf
Hello Ivy. My name is Julia Nakken and I have been practicing massage for 20 years. I would agree that massage is a very gratifying career which I have enjoyed immensely! I was well prepared for my career after completing my training and sat for the state board, which I obviously passed. In my 20 years I have practiced in 3 states and I am preparing for a 4th, Maryland. I am very proud of the work I have done. I have developed a technique and a number of skills of which only someone with a lot of experience could be capable. I know that in many colleges and universities people are given credit for life experience. Yet here I am in a new state feeling like I’m starting all over again. I understand the need for licensure. I have held licenses in New York and Arizona. I’m very proud of that. I guess what I’m saying is…I feel, given my spotless record and experience, the process should be a little easier for me. What are your thoughts?
Congrats on navigating all of the rules in all of the states. Getting 4 licenses is not that easy since each state can be so different. With each of these changes, comes the consequences of those decisions. As massage therapists, we have a lot of freedom and that means starting over when we move and begin a new adventure. Having multiple state licenses, I understand. But you have done this before, and you know how to build a business. I am sure you can do it again. Best wishes!
Are you able to skip a question in a category and come back to it before moving to another category? Is the test split into one category at a time (Ex. all A&P questions-12%, then all assessment questions-17%) or are categories mixed (Ex. Question#3 Ethics, question#4 Kinesiology, question#5 Massage history)?
Thanks again for this blog! 🙂
Hi Ivy:
I passed the MBLEX back in September of 2016.
Do my credentials change after my name now or is it just LMT still?
Thank you
Erika
The MBLEx is not a certifying exam like the NCETMB was. This is a licensing exam. You may use the LMT title after the state you apply to issues you a license to practice massage. Some states use other titles (RMT, CMT, LMP). Just follow the laws and rules of the state where you have a license.
Is the text easy?! What kind of questions do they ask?!
It is a challenging professional exam. Each exam is different and has different questions. The breakdown of categories is similar for all test takers.
Hi Ivy, I passed my MBLEx back in 2013, however, I never ended up getting licensed because the state I was residing in (Oklahoma) didn’t yet have regulations for Massage Therapy. I practice for years under the “Grandfather” law once Oklahoma did become regulated. I also attended several Continued Education courses during that time. I am now planning to move to Florida and am curious to know if I will have to retake the MBLEx or if I have to go to school all over again? I see that I am able to get my test scores sent to Florida but will I be able to get licensed??
Hi!
You are actually in a pretty good position in my opinion – as long as your program was 500+ hours. If so, you have school and your exam done (the two biggest requirements). There is no need to retake the MBLEx. Your scores do not expire. If your massage program was under 500 hours, you will likely have an issue.
Here is my other page with license info and the 10 hour laws and rules class you will need to get licensed in Florida- https://www.floridamassage.com/license/