Each year, thousands of people nervously pick up their exam score from the front desk at their Pearson Vue testing facility and find out they did not pass the MBLEx.

This result can bring on a lot of different emotions.

You are likely dealing with feelings of personal disappointment, or even jealousy of those classmates who passed their exam.

You also may feel as if you let those who have supported your massage endeavor down.

And the thought of taking and failing the MBLEx again may be consuming you with fear or anxiety.

But life is full of challenges like this; and challenges come our way to be hurdled, defeated, and make us stronger.

First, you need to decide if you want to take the MBLEx again.

And if you do, I want to help you better prepare yourself so you can pass this licensing exam and move forward with your massage career.

If you are willing, I would love to share a few of my tips and suggestions for taking (and passing!) the MBLEx on your next attempt.

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As a massage blogger and continuing education provider, I receive a lot of questions from people preparing to take a licensing exam.

Some are just about to graduate. Some are working to become licensed after being out of school for a few months or even a few years. Others are moving to a state that requires an exam score after being grandfathered into licensure or working in a state without licensing requirements.

The most common questions I hear from these people are:

“Which exam would you take?”

“What study materials can you recommend?”

Everything I’d heard in the massage world said the MBLEx was now the preferred exam. The problem is I took the NCETMB twelve years ago, when it was the only licensing exam available.

I didn’t feel comfortable recommending an exam I hadn’t taken.

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*Important Announcement!*

The NCBTMB announced that as of 11/1/2014, it will no longer administer an entry-level licensing exam. This means the MBLEx will be the only licensing exam available in most states. Please refer to the below link for more information on taking the MBLEx.

For the most up-to-date information on preparing for the MBLEx (including study guides and practice tests), click here.

Yes, the NCBTMB does offer the BCETMB now, but it is not an entry-level licensing exam, like the MBLEx. It is a board certification exam (which is usually voluntary). I will not be updating the below post to reflect the BCETMB and NCETMB changes. However, you can learn a little more about why the MBLEx is now the preferred exam below.

Here is the NCBTMB press release here.

One of the final hurdles, or steps, between you and your massage career is the massage licensing exam. There were two entry-level massage licensing exams for most people to choose from.

The MBLEx – Given by the FSMTB

The NCETMB or NCETM – Given by the NCBTMB

If you live in New York or Hawaii, you do not have a choice, as you have your own state board exam. Here is where you can read about Hawaii massage license and New York massage license exams.

The rest of you have a decision to make.

Which exam is best for you?

The exam that is best for you may not be the best one for the next person to visit this post, the one your massage instructor took ten years ago, or the one for your classmate looking to move home after school.

First, it is important to know why you need to take a massage licensing exam.

Quite simply, most of you need this exam to get a massage license in your state. That is it.

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