The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education has chosen to support the Massage & Bodywork Therapy Licensing Examination (MBLEx) as the exclusive examination for entry-level credentialing in the field of massage therapy. This exam, offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) is the preferred choice for graduates of massage therapy schools who are seeking state licensure, certification or registration.

As the representative of the educational community, the Alliance recognizes that the MBLEx provides our field with a psychometrically sound testing program that more closely matches the curricula that are taught in most massage schools. We appreciate the streamlined process for application and test-taking established by FSMTB, as it allows graduates of massage schools to gain their state credentials and be eligible to start their professional careers in the shortest possible time. In addition, having a single examination from a single provider gives schools a clear advantage in preparing students for a successful exam experience.

From a structural perspective, the Alliance supports the MBLEx because it gives state regulatory agencies direct supervision and ownership of the examination program that is used to determine competency to practice. We recognize that this level of control is essential for state massage boards to fulfill their legal mandate of public protection.

The Alliance wishes to acknowledge FSMTB for its role in creating a superior solution that benefits the entire field of massage therapy. We also want to express gratitude to our fellow educators who volunteered their time and expertise in the development of the MBLEx, and who are involved with its ongoing improvement. The education community has a great interest in seeing this examination program flourish, and the Alliance will continue to support this process.