WIXLIB

Getting Your Massage CredentialsChecklist and ResourcesIntroductionThe process of taking your credentialing exam and obtaining your state license or registrationcan seem daunting. This handout provides you with a checklist and visual reference to demystifythe procedure. Review the diagram on page 2 and then follow the steps by previewing theresources you can find on the Internet.1

Credentialing Check ListKnow YourStateRequirementsStep 1: Review ABMPMassage StateRegulation Guide.Step 2: Review yourBoard of Massagewebsite.Step 3: Based on staterequirements plan totake the MBLEx or NCBexam.2Make anAppointmentto Take theTestDownload CandidateHandbooks for MBLExand/or NCBTMBStep 4: MBLEx:Schedule the test onwww.fsmtb.org.Step 4: NCBTMB:A. Complete and submitapplication.C. Schedule the test onwww.ncbtmb.org.Prepare forand Take theTestApply to theStateStep 5: Review thecontent outline in theCandidate Handbook(MBLEx and NCB)Step 9: Reviewrequirements on statewebsite.Step 6: Plan studysessions and study.Step 10: Complete thestate application andsubmit with a fee.Step 7: Take sampletests and purchase aexam guide.Step 11: Wait for yourlicense to arrive.Step 8: Show up onassigned date and takethe test.Celebrate!

STEP 1: Review ABMP’s Massage State Regulation GuideOn the next two pages you can review ABMP’s Massage StateRegulation Guide. It provides you with a quick overview of yourstate’s regulatory requirements for massage therapy. For example,you can find out if the MBLEx exam, NCBTMB exam, or bothexams are accepted by your state for credentialing.You can also findout if you need to complete a background check, carry a currentCPR card, take a jurisprudence exam (an exam on the laws of yourstate related to massage), or other activity essential to obtaincredentials. Review this card and know your state requirementsbefore moving on to Step 2.3

Massage State Regulation GuideStateAlabamaAlaskaLiabilityInsurancePrior to nRenewalExam(s) RequiredCEU* hrs/year16/2NCBTMB and StateAdditional RequirementsAccredited school onlyLocal requirements applyTelephoneLicense (LMT)No state regulation650License (LMT)70025/2MBLEx OR NCBTMB (unless grad from AZ USDE accredited school) Background check602-542-8604500A. 500B. 25050018/2TB test, background check501-683-1448none/2background check916-669-5336none/2MBLExMBLEx OR NCBTMB accepted asalternative to educationMBLEx OR NCBTMBBackground check303-894-7800500A. 500B. 30050024/424/2 OR12/212/2NCBTMBA. NCBTMBB. not requiredMBLEx OR NCBTMBAccredited school only860-509-7603CPR, temporary license302-744-4500Accredited school only, CPR877-672-2174Medical error prevention course850-245-4161License (LMT)Voluntary certificationA. Therapist (CMT) B. Practitioner (CMP)Prior to registration Registration (RMT)ConnecticutEducational hoursUse this card to check out each state’s regulatory requirements for massage therapy. To get the most up-to-date information, log inat www.abmp.com and click on the legislative state map member section, or call 800-458-2267. Last update March 2011.866-873-4664District of ColumbiaLicense (LMT)A. License (Therapist-LMT) ORB. Certification (Technician-CMT)License (LMT)FloridaLicense (LMT)50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBGeorgiaLicense (LMT)50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBHawaiiLicense (LMT)570none/2Hawaii stateCPR50024/2NCBTMBBackground check500TBDMBLEx OR NCBTMB50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMB24/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBMBLEx OR NCBTMB AND VerbalProvisional license available225-771-4090MBLEx OR NCBTMB alternative to educationCPR, background check207-624-860324/2NCBTMB OR NCCAOMAccredited school only, CPR, jurisprudence exam410-764-4665TBD/1not requiredDelawareIdahoNo state regulationIllinoisLicense (LMT)IndianaPrior to Certificiation Certification (CMT)IowaLicense (LMT)KansasNo state regulationLicense (LMT)600LouisianaLicense (LMT)50012/1MaineLicense (LMT)A. License (LMT) orB. Registration (RMT)License (LMT)500A. 500 and 60 college creditOR B. 500650none/1 yrMassachusettsPrior to licenseMichiganLicensing law passed; not yet implemented.MinnesotaNo state regulation808-587-3222Local requirements 34-2051CPR515-281-6959Local requirements apply500502-564-3296617-727-1747Local requirements apply517-335-0918Local requirements applyMBLEx: licensing exam offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. *CEU: continuing education hours required for renewal of license. NCBTMB offers 2 exams, the NCETMB and NCETM; check with your state to determine which it accepts.

LiabilityInsuranceStateMississippiMissouriPrior to licenseDesignationEducational hoursRenewalExam(s) RequiredCEU hrs/year24/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBAdditional RequirementsTelephoneLicense (LMT)700CPR, state exam601-732-6038License (LMT)50012/2yMBLEx OR NCBTMB OR NCCAOMBackground check, state exam, provisional license573-522-6277grandfathering will end July 1, 2012406-841-2305MontanaLicense (LMT)50012/2yrMBLEx OR NCBTMBNebraskaLicense (LMT)100024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBNevadaLicense (LMT)50012/1MBLEx OR NCBTMBBackground check, temporary license775-688-1888New HampshireLicense (LMT)75012/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBCPR, first aid603-271-0277New JerseyCertification (CMT)50020/2NCETMB accepted as alternative to educationBackground check, CPR973-504-6430New MexicoLicense (LMT)65016/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBJurisprudence exam, first aid, CPR505-476-4870New YorkLicense (LMT)1000none/3NY stateCPR518-474-3817North CarolinaLicense (LMT)50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMB OR OBTE OR NCCAOMBackground check919-546-0050North DakotaLicense (LMT)75032/2NCBTMBphysical exam, no contagious disease, CPR701-872-4895OhioLicense (LMT)750none/ 2OH stateBackground check614-466-3934OklahomaNo state regulationOregonLicense (LMT)50025/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBPractical exam, jurisprudence exam, CPR, background check503-365-8657PennsylvaniaLicense (LMT)60024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBgrandfathering will end December 2011717-783-7155Puerto RicoLicense (LMT)1000TBD/3TBDCPR, health certificate, background check787-725-8538Rhode IslandLicense (LMT)500none/1MBLEx OR NCBTMBHealth certificate, background check401-222-2827South CarolinaLicense (LMT)50012/2MBLEx OR NCBTMB402-471-2115Local requirements apply803-896-4490License (LMT)5008/1MBLEx OR NCBTMBTennesseeLicense (LMT)50025/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBBackground check, jurisprudence exam615-253-3202TexasLicense (LMT)50012/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBBackground check512-834-6616UtahLicense (LMT)600none/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBBackground check, jurisprudence exam, temp. license avail.801-530-6628South DakotaPrior to license605-271-7103VermontNo state regulationVirginiaCertification (CMT)50024/2NCBTMBProvisional certification available804-662-9909WashingtonLicense (LMP)50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBHIV - AIDS training, jurisprudence exam, CPR/first aid, background check360-236-4700West VirginiaLicense (LMT)50024/2MBLEx OR NCBTMBLicense (LMT)600TBD/2MBLEX OR NCBTMB OR NCCAOMWisconsinWyomingPrior to licenseNo state regulationLocal requirements apply304-558-1060AED/CPR/first aid, jurisprudence exam608-266-2112Contact your city clerk to find local requirements.MBLEx licensing exam offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. * CEU - Continuing education hours required for renewal of license. NCBTMB offers 2 exams - NCETMB and NCETM. check your state to determine which it accepts.

STEP 2:Review Your Board of Massage WebsiteMost states that regulate massage have Internet resources formassage therapists.You want to review this website now to betterunderstand the requirements for your state. ABMP has quicklinks to each board of massage website. Review the visual guideson upcoming pages and go to www.massagetherapy.com. Simplyfollow the directions on the screen shot ofwww.massagetherapy.com to find a direct link to the resourcesrelated to your state.4

Step 2: Review YourBoard of MassageWebsite1.Go to www.massagetherapy.com2.Click “Become a Massage Therapist”3.Click “State Boards & Requirements”5

Step 2: ReviewYour Board ofMassage Website4.Click on the state and details willpop up including the board ofmassage contact information.6

Review Your Board of Massage Website7This is the board of massage website for Maine. Notice that links onthis page describe everything you need to know to practice massage inthe state of Maine. Explore all the links on your board of massagewebsite to better understand practice requirements in your state.

STEP 3: Based on state requirements plan to take the MBLEx or NCBTMB examMBLExNCBTMBIn some states you will not have an option as to which test you take.You will take the testrequired by your state. For example, Virginia only accepts the MBLEx and would not acceptyour application if you submitted results from the NCBTMB exam. In other states you have achoice. Carefully review the fees, application process, and testing process for both tests andthen make a decision about which exam you want to take to obtain your massage credentials.8

STEP 4: Make an Appointment to Take the TestLet’s look at the process to take the MBLEx first. The MBLExdoes not require an application to test because taking a test andpassing it are not sufficient to obtain state massage credentials.Anyone can take the test but only a person who has graduatedfrom a state-approved massage school and submitted the testresults along with other required documentation would receivemassage credentials. For this reason the process to schedule anappointment to take the MBLEx is easy.You simply log on towww.fsmtb.org and click the link to schedule the test as shownon the upcoming visual guide.9

Use one of theselinks todownload theCandidateHandbook andschedule the test.10

11Explore these links to schedule a test and find outmore information.

STEP 4: Make an Appointment to Take the TestThe process to make an appointment for the NCBTMB exam ismore complicated than the MBLEx but not difficult. In this caseyou want to download the Candidate Handbook and follow thedirections.You will need to complete an application and thenwait for a letter which gives you approval to test and directionsfor your next steps. When you have the letter you schedule atest date and time on www.ncbtmb.org as shown on theupcoming visual guide.12

Click “Applicants”and then use thelinks to find moreinformation.13

Prepare for and Take the Test STEP 5: Both the MBLEx and the NCBTMB provide CandidateHandbooks which include content outlines. Content outlines tellyou the subject areas covered by the test so that you know whichtopics to study. Both tests require a solid understanding ofanatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Use ABMP’s ExamPreparation Form to plan study sessions. STEP 6: Use the content outlines to plan study sessions. Review14the Single Topic Study Sheet on the next page. Make up studysheets for all of the topics and sub-topics you need to study. Placethe sheets in a notebook and review them regularly. Also plan tostudy with friends from your massage program. It can be veryhelpful to talk through information in discussion groups.

Prepare for and Take the Test STEP 7: Both the MBLEx and the NCBTMB provide onlinepractice tests you can use as part of your preparation. This is veryuseful because you get a feel for the testing environment andbetter understand the way in which questions will be asked andanswered. A number of massage textbook publishers offer exampreparation guides. The purchase of one of these guides (availableon www.amazon.com) is also helpful. The following pages showyou where to find the practice tests and provide one example of anexam guide. STEP 8: Review the Candidate Handbook and make sure to bring15the required testing documentation. For example, a picture ID isrequired. Show up early on the day of your test and make sure tohave a snack before your test time. Warm up with practice quizzesand keep breathing!

16The location of the practice test for the MBLEx is locatedunder the heading, CBT Tutorial. When you click on that link itwill take you to a new website as shown on the next page.