Massage Exam Academy

By 2 Comments

Taking the MBLEx During the COVID Pandemic

Since March, I have had several emails from those that recently graduated from massage school under unusual circumstances. Some of you missed out on the last months of school, had to move to virtual classes, and are now finally able to take tEx. Maybe you missed your MBLEx preparation class, the clinical portion of your course, or other critical parts of your massage education.

Not only that, but you are also entering a profession where your job is to be in close proximity to people when all we can hear about is social distancing. Uncertainty and Anxiety are high everywhere. This is why I felt compelled to write today.

Today I wanna talk about some of those concerns, and hopefully put your mind at ease. As you can imagine, when I wrote “Taking the MBLEx in 2020”, I did not see any of this coming. How could any of us imagined massage therapy programs moving online, closed MBLEx testing centers, delayed careers, or state proclamations banning massage therapists from working?

But here we are. We can continue to social distance, slow down from unnecessary business and busyness, but that does not mean our dreams have to end just because of uncertainty.

“Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

― E.L. Doctorow

It is foggy right now and most of you can only see just so far into our exam preparations and future massage careers. And that is okay. You can still take steps every day to pass the MBLEx and plan your massage career. You can still make the whole trip that way.

Let’s take some simple steps today to address your questions and concerns.
[Read more…]

By 2 Comments

Which States Accept the MBLEx?


Whether you are considering moving to another state on a part-time basis, permanently moving across the country, or looking to explore the USA in your Airstream, you know you need to get a massage license there. And one of the first questions you may have is, “Does that state accept the MBLEx?”

The MBLEx is the best thing we have right now for license portability. Now, it does not permit you to just go practice massage in any state you want, but it does help you meet the entry-level licensing exam requirement in most states. Also, a licensing exam is only part of the equation.

In addition to passing an entry-level licensing exam, most states set a minimum number of hours for massage therapists seeking to apply by endorsement. Plus, applications, fees, background checks, school transcripts, jurisprudence tests, CPR certifications, and state license verifications may also be required. But we seem to focus on whether our exam is accepted because nobody likes to take exams.

How do I know which states accept the MBLEx?

Below is a link to each state’s massage therapy board and information about which exams it appears they accept. Most, but not all, of the below states accept the MBLEx. I have added additional links and information from applications, board websites, and board rules which may indicate accepted massage licensing exams.
[Read more…]

By 2 Comments

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques to Help You Study for the MBLEx

Is the vicious cycle of feeling anxious and stressed affecting your MBLEx preparation? Stress affects how you study and how you process information. Because stress ultimately can affect your exam performance and outcome, you need to have tools that can that help you manage stress during this time.

There are many tools available to manage stress (massage, yoga, meditation), but today let’s focus on mindfulness.

What does mindfulness really mean?

Mindfulness is the psychological process of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment. According one of the people responsible for the growth of mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness should revolve around the “here and now.”

You have likely heard the term “mindfulness” thrown around in recent years. Mindfulness made its modern debut in the early 1990s. However, it has been practiced in Buddhism for ages. If you are unfamiliar with what it means and what it can do for you as you prepare for your massage exam preparation, let’s talk more about that now.
[Read more…]

By 19 Comments

Taking the MBLEx When English is Not Your Native Language

mblex for esl students post title image

The goal here at Massage Exam Academy is to help anyone who dreams of being a massage therapist make that dream a reality. When English is your second language, it makes the MBLEx exam even more difficult to pass, which puts your dream in jeopardy. If you are not a native English or Spanish speaker, the only two languages the MBLEx is administered in, your preparation for the MBLEx will most likely involve some work in English comprehension in addition to using the Massage Exam Academy’s MBLEx program.

We know the pass rate for the MBLEx is 66%. The good news is that many Massage Exam Academy members speak other languages and go on to pass their exams. We have found that those who use the program and work on their English language skills obtain the best results.

I want to thank Kathleen, or Kat, for helping me with this post. Kat is a question writer here at Massage Exam Academy. She is a non-native English speaker and has taken (and passed!) the NPTE (physical therapy licensing exam). I cannot think of anyone better to offer you guidance as you prepare for the MBLEx.

Read on for Kat’s words of wisdom and input on passing the MBLEx.
[Read more…]

By 6 Comments

7 Free Tips to Help You Pass the MBLEx

free mblex tips post title image

Graduating from massage school is a tremendous accomplishment. You have proven your competency in the classroom and in a clinical setting. You are on the verge of beginning a new, exciting career.

There is just one final hurdle to overcome before officially becoming a licensed or certified massage therapist; the MBLEx.

I have talked to instructors and students all over the country preparing for the MBLEx. Test-takers just like you.

  • There are people who have used every website, app, and study guide without success.
  • Fresh students right out of massage school.
  • Therapists taking the exam after practicing massage for twenty-plus years.
  • Massage students with terrific hands-on skills, but the thought of an exam leaves them exhausted from anxiety.

Wherever you are in your MBLEx preparation, these are seven tips I have compiled from years of helping hundreds of members on Massage Exam Academy.
[Read more…]