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Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx) Practice Exam Questions

Past exam questions and practice questions based on official past exams

Full mock exam100 questions · 110 min · 4 choices →Key conceptsAI-written · VerifiedRead the key concepts by subject and unit before you practice.7 subjects · 14 unitsOpen key concepts →

Exam info

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Type
State license
Field
Massage
Provider
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
Sections
Anatomy & Physiology (11) · Kinesiology (12) · Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14) · Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15) · Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17) · Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations (16) · Guidelines for Professional Practice (15)
Questions · Time
100 questions · 110 min
Format
The FSMTB Candidate Handbook describes the MBLEx as a computer-based test of 100 multiple choice questions taken in 110 minutes. It covers seven content areas: Anatomy & Physiology (11%), Kinesiology (12%), Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%), Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%), Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%), Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations (16%), and Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%). This practice mock uses 4 answer choices per question.
Passing score
The real MBLEx is scored on a scale from 300 to 900, and a scaled score of 630 is the passing score. A scaled score is not a percent of correct answers. This site uses 70% correct as a practice goal only; it is not an official cut score. There is no separate minimum score for each content area.
Eligibility
Your state massage therapy board decides who may take the MBLEx, including required school hours. Most candidates apply through FSMTB after their state approves them. Check your state board and the FSMTB Candidate Handbook before you apply.

Exam outline

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Tap a unit name to see its key concepts and sample questions.

Anatomy & Physiology11 questions

  1. Unit 1: Body Systems: Structure and Function★★★★★Weight 80%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Tissue Injury, Repair, and Energetic Anatomy★★★☆☆Weight 20%Concepts

Kinesiology12 questions

  1. Unit 1: Muscles: Attachments and Actions★★★★★Weight 60%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Joints, Movement, and Proprioception★★★★☆Weight 40%Concepts

Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations14 questions

  1. Unit 1: Pathology and Contraindications★★★★★Weight 60%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Areas of Caution and Special Populations★★★★☆Weight 40%Concepts

Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation15 questions

  1. Unit 1: Physiological and Psychological Effects★★★★★Weight 50%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Techniques, Strokes, and Modalities★★★★☆Weight 50%Concepts

Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning17 questions

  1. Unit 1: Client Intake and Assessment★★★★★Weight 60%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Treatment Planning and Reassessment★★★★☆Weight 40%Concepts

Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations16 questions

  1. Unit 1: Ethics and Boundaries★★★★★Weight 60%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Laws, Regulations, and Confidentiality★★★★☆Weight 40%Concepts

Guidelines for Professional Practice15 questions

  1. Unit 1: Safety, Sanitation, and Self-Care★★★★★Weight 60%Concepts
  2. Unit 2: Therapeutic Relationship and Business Practices★★★☆☆Weight 40%Concepts

Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx) study tips

Written by our team
Study order
Start with Anatomy & Physiology (11 questions) and Kinesiology (12 questions), because muscles, joints, and body systems come up again in pathology and assessment. Next study Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14) and Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15). Finish with the three practice areas: Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17), Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations (16), and Guidelines for Professional Practice (15).
Topics people often miss
Muscles: Attachments and Actions asks you to match each muscle with its origin, insertion, and action, so learn them in small groups by body region. Pathology and Contraindications asks when to skip a session and when to only avoid one area, so sort conditions into those two lists. In Ethics and Boundaries, transference, countertransference, and dual relationships are easy to mix up, so learn each with a simple example.
Test day tips
The MBLEx has 100 questions in 110 minutes, so you have a little over one minute per question. Read "NOT" and "EXCEPT" questions twice. When a question asks what to do, choose the answer that keeps the client safe, stays within your scope of practice, and respects the client's consent. Mark hard questions in your head and keep a steady pace so you reach the end.
▼ More about Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx) (trends · overview · FAQ)▲ Hide

Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx) exam trends

Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning is the largest content area at 17%, followed by Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations at 16%. Kinesiology asks about muscle attachments, actions, and joint movements. Pathology questions focus on when massage is contraindicated and how to adapt a session. The chapters on this site are study groupings of the official content areas, and the chapter splits are estimates, not official numbers.

Start with Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology, because many assessment and pathology questions build on them. Then learn contraindications and the effects of massage, and finish with ethics and professional practice. When you can answer most Intermediate questions, take a full 100-question Mock Exam and review every miss.

Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx) Sample Questions and Explanations →

About Massage Therapy Licensing Exam (MBLEx)

The MBLEx is the national licensing exam that most U.S. state boards use for massage therapists. It has 100 multiple choice questions in 110 minutes across seven content areas, from anatomy and kinesiology to ethics, client assessment, and safe practice. Short practice sets here help you review muscles and joints, contraindications, the effects of massage, and the rules that keep clients safe.

FAQ

Q. How many questions are on the MBLEx?
The MBLEx has 100 multiple choice questions, and you get 110 minutes to answer them.
Q. What score do I need to pass the MBLEx?
Scores range from 300 to 900, and a scaled score of 630 passes. A scaled score is not the same as a percent correct. This site uses 70% correct as a practice goal.
Q. What topics does the MBLEx cover?
Seven content areas: Anatomy & Physiology (11%), Kinesiology (12%), Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%), Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%), Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%), Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations (16%), and Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%).
Q. Are these the real MBLEx questions?
No. Every question here is an AI-made practice question written for study. Real exam questions are confidential, so use this site for practice and also study your school's materials and the official FSMTB resources.
Q. Is this site connected to FSMTB?
No. This site is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FSMTB or any state board.

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