“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.

[Read more…]

The first thing I ask someone who didn’t pass the MBLEx is this:
“What do you feel is keeping you from passing?”

The most common answer? Exam anxiety.

If that’s you, you’re not alone. You might experience:

• Heart pounding
• Sweating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep problems
• Nausea or other digestive disturbances
• Ringing ears or dizziness
• Shallow breathing

Often, people with exam anxiety:

• Did very well in school, love massage and want to get started with their career.
• Know the material, but are unable to translate that knowledge to a multiple choice exam.
• Are feeling pressure because they need to work, have a job waiting for them, or have been relying on their family for support. This only complicates their exam anxiety.

Does this sound like you? What is causing this anxiety?

There is a reason most of us get a little nervous during exams.

[Read more…]

It has likely been awhile since you have taken an important multiple choice exam, such as the MBLEx.

All 100 questions on the MBLEx are multiple choice, with four possible answers. Working on multiple choice test taking strategies in addition to your regular MBLEx study plan will help increase your chances of passing the exam.

The steps for multiple choice strategy are fairly simple.

First, read the question carefully.

Then, reread it. This time, pay special attention to superlatives (the suffix -est and most), absolutes or negatives (all, more, always, only, none, not, and never).

Third, try to think of the correct answer before looking at the four options.

Read all the options. Then read them again and watch for absolutes, negatives, or superlatives.

If you find the answer, select it and move on.

If you don’t know the answer, or find two possible answers, don’t panic. This is where you will begin eliminating options and increasing your odds of choosing the correct answer.

[Read more…]

From the FSMTB Website:

There is no single text recommended by FSMTB. The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination reflects practice in the United States as determined by the most recent Job Analysis.

FSMTB’s item writers and examination development committee members frequently use the following texts as resources; however, the sources used are not limited to the books listed here.

The list is not comprehensive and does not imply that references not included on this list are inappropriate or of lesser value or quality than references that are included.

The list is presented to assist individuals in preparing for the examination; however, study of the following references will not guarantee that an individual will pass the examination.

[Read more…]