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By Ivy Hultquist 20 Comments

How Many Times Can I Take The MBLEx?

mblex attempts limit post title image

If you’re taking the MBLEx for the first, second, or even fifth time, you may be worried about a limit to the number of times you can take the exam. It’s possible that an instructor or colleague told you that you would need to go back to school if you failed it more than once, and there is already fear revolving around this exam that the extra pressure of a limited number of attempts can add to those anxious feelings.

So, I’m writing to you now to hopefully be able to put those fears to rest and help you get prepared for your next MBLEx attempt and get your massage career on the right track!

So, is there a limit to the number of times you can take the test?

The answer is a little complicated, but in most cases, no. The FSMTB, who administers the MBLEx, does not limit the number of times you can take the MBLEx. But the FSMTB does limit the number of times you take the exam within a 30-day period. You can verify this information on their FAQ page.

Even though the MBLEx is administered on a daily basis throughout the country, all applicants are subject to the waiting period between attempts. If you fail the exam, you must wait at least 30 days before you can take the MBLEx again. This waiting period between attempts is consistent with other professional licensing exams, such as the NCLEx (nursing licensing exam). In the few states that still do not use the MBLEx, there is a limited number of test dates for massage license applicants. The New York State Massage Exam is only given two times a year and the Hawaii State Massage Exam was previously only given four times a year.

So why did someone tell you that there was a limit for the MBLEx?

In my opinion, some of the confusion stems in the former massage licensing exam, the NCETMB or NCETM. Unfortunately, there are still instructors and colleagues that took the former exam and continue to pass on outdated information. At the time, the NCETMB exam did have a few limits on the number of attempts. After three failed attempts, a person had to return to school for 100 hours of additional training, and after five failed attempts, a person needed to repeat 500 hours of training.

The power of your State Massage Board

There are a few applicants who are, in fact, subject to a limited number of attempts. State massage boards do have the authority to set the number of attempts for applicants. If the applicant goes over that limit, the board does not have to issue a massage license in that state. One example of a state with such a rule is Washington. Their board rule states:

WAC 246-830-201 Examination.
(4) An applicant who does not pass an examination after three attempts must provide proof to the board of having successfully completed additional clinical training or coursework as determined by the board before being permitted three additional attempts to pass an exam.

So far, Washington is the only example of a state board that has this type of limitation.

So, this fact should put the majority of you at ease. I know that you want to pass the MBLEx on the attempt, regardless of the limitations imposed by your state board. Waiting 30 or more days and paying $265 each time you take the exam is not exactly an ideal scenario, but being a massage therapist and helping other people is. So with that in mind, let’s get down to business and begin to develop your action plan to pass the MBLEx and begin your massage career.

Filed Under: Testing, Uncategorized

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About Ivy Hultquist

Thank you for reading this post! In addition to Massage Exam Academy, I provide massage continuing education at Advanced Massage Techniques. I also write specifically about barefoot massage at Ashiatsu.net, and write about more general massage topics at Massage & Bloggywork.

  

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Comments

  1. Rafal says

    October 16, 2023 at 7:51 pm

    Hi, i cant find what exact day was taken my state exam for MT in January 2012, thank you.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      October 17, 2023 at 8:56 am

      I would contact the Board office. They should have your records if it was a state exam. If you took the NCETMB, contact the NCBTMB. If you took the MBLEx, contact the FSMTB.

      Reply
    • Muha says

      February 4, 2024 at 9:12 am

      Question:
      Is it 30 day period applied to one location where the test is taken? or anywhere in the state?
      For example if i take it at testing center X today, and fail, can I go to another testing center(different city in the state) and take it lets say next week or 2 weeks? instead waiting entire month?

      Reply
      • Ivy Hultquist says

        February 4, 2024 at 9:42 am

        It is 30 days between attempts- regardless of the location.

        Reply
  2. Frankie Garcia says

    October 4, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    Hello, I took my mblex way back in 2012 and failed and never looked back I am now interested in finishing what I started, would I have to redo the course or can I just retest?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      October 4, 2022 at 5:52 pm

      I do not see why you would not be able to apply and retest 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ashley says

    April 25, 2021 at 7:49 am

    I finished massage school in 2016. Took my test and did not pass. How long after completing school do I have to test again? Is five years too long?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      April 26, 2021 at 9:06 am

      This article should answer that question 🙂
      https://www.massageexamacademy.com/mblex-years-after-school/

      Reply
      • Roberto Thelusma says

        August 8, 2021 at 3:11 pm

        good evening Ivy

        hello my name is Robert, currently in the process of going to school to obtain my massage license, can you take the state exam prior to completion of the 500 hours? please let me know, thanks

        Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      August 9, 2021 at 8:15 am

      Yes. Many people take their MBLEx shortly before graduating from massage training programs.

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    November 24, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    I just failed the test for the 2nd time. Can I retake it again? Do I need my transcripts again?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      November 24, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      I do not see why you could not take it again. You just need to wait 30 days. I would not think your transcript would be needed again for a retest.

      Reply
  5. Phyllis says

    July 4, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    Can you pass the MBLEx without knowing the names of the bones and muscles?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      July 5, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      Knowing the names of muscles and bones is basic anatomy. It is my opinion that the MBLEx tests at a deeper level than just basic anatomy.

      Reply
  6. Marghe Hunt says

    May 7, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    What do you charge for your MBLEx tutoring?
    Is your tutoring online?
    Do I have to buy the Study Guide so I can follow along?
    Where do go to find out where I can take the MBLEx? I can’t drive due to medical issue. Live in North Georgia.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      May 7, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      You can see all of my programs at http://www.massageexamacademy.com.

      I do not offer individualized tutoring, but our program is designed to help members work on the areas that they struggle with.

      You can find testing locations on Pearson’s website. It looks like there are testing centers in Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte, Ashville, and Durham.

      Reply
      • Fatimah Nasiru says

        January 6, 2021 at 5:32 pm

        Hey ivy please I need to talk to you, I’m a new graduate from massage school and I am very good at every aspect of clinical and practical. But I did the Mblex exam but failed, I’m about giving up but after I came across your website I believe I can do it again with your help. Thank you please reply so we can start as soon as possible.

        Reply
        • Ivy Hultquist says

          January 7, 2021 at 9:55 am

          That is a very common situation, Fatima! Our website is self-paced and will help guide you through the areas where you struggle the most. We have seen this help people that previously failed many, many times.

          You can find the subscriptions on http://www.massageexamacademy.com.

          Reply
  7. Daniellejarreau says

    November 18, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Honestly thank you so much for creating this I failed my first mblex it was so frustrating because the questions were very different then I expected I wanted to give up but I really love massage. After actually taking an hour or two of my day to study with massage exam academy as of yesterday I passed my mblex and even after all the studying I did for two months with your program the mblex was still so hard I thought I was gonna fail 30 questions in and when the lady gave me my Id with the paper saying passed I haven’t stopped smiling since so thank u so much for creating this me and my mom we’re googling what to do if you failed the mblex and this came up I’m so grateful thank u !

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      November 18, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Happy to help! And…CONGRATS!

      Reply

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