Massage Exam Academy

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Taking the MBLEx Years after Massage School

Out of School for Years

Do any of these situations resonate with you?

Fear of Failure

You failed your licensing exam soon after attending school, got discouraged, and put your massage career on the back burner for a few years. Fear of failing again paralyzed you from moving forward with your massage career.

Maybe exam anxiety kept you from even attempting an initial licensing exam after massage training.

Hi Ivy,
I graduated MT school in 2006 located in Illinois, took the NCETMB exam and did not pass. I missed by 2 points and then life happened. I see the NCETMB is not being given anymore and I had a friend that has mentioned the MBLEx to me. In being out of school for that length of time, would I need to go back to school? Can I still take the MBLEx?

Moving to a New State

You were previously licensed in a state that did not require an exam. Now have moved and find yourself in a situation where you must take an exam to keep practicing massage.

Hello, Ivy!
I’m considering moving to Florida. I’m currently in Pennsylvania and graduated from a 650-hour massage program in 2003. At that time Pennsylvania did not require being licensed so I just got my certificate and started practicing. About eight years ago when Pennsylvania changed and required licensure I submitted all my information and was grandfathered in. I see Florida still requires me to take an exam. I currently hold an active license in Pennsylvania and was wondering if I could still take the MBLEx listed to get my license in Florida?

Life Got in the Way

You had a baby, got married, moved, or had other family issues that kept you from taking the exam and practicing massage.

Hi Ivy,
I graduated in 2005, got married, had kids, and here I am taking the MBLEx 10 years later. I paid my school loan off yesterday! Woohoo! It has been 10 years but my love/interest for massage has never left me :).

If any of these sound similar to your situation, I promise you are not alone. I talk to quite a few people each year that are in the position of taking the MBLEx years after graduating. I am going to answer some of the questions you may have and help you set up a plan to finally take and pass your exam.

Eligibility

The first question you may be asking is, “Am I still eligible to sit the MBLEx after this many years?”

Most likely, Yes.

Your graduation date does not affect your eligibility to sit for the MBLEx. But there are other things you need to check on to see if you still qualify to get a license, usually the educational requirement. Remember, taking the MBLEx is only one part of getting massage license. Here are a few examples of situations that may affect your eligibility to sit for the MBLEx or get a state massage license.

Completion of Massage Training

The FSMTB, the developers of the MBLEx, now require applicants to “attest they have both the education and training in the subject content areas.” If you have not completed massage training (examples: grandfathered into licensure without completing education, or practicing in an unregulated state) you may not be eligible to take the exam. Contact the FSMTB if you are in this situation.

Updated License Requirements

If the state where you went to school has changed the hours required to get a license since you graduated, you may not be able to obtain a license. For example, Texas previously required 300 hours for obtaining a massage license, but the law now requires 500 hours of education. If a person only completed 300 hours, they make not qualify for a license, but most likely could still sit for the MBLEx.

A Time Window for Licensure

In a few other healthcare professions, a State board may only allow an applicant a few years to take the state boards after completing the minimum education requirement. I am not aware of any state massage boards that have such a rule at this time. The only similar situation I am aware of is Louisiana. Their rules require applicants to apply for a massage license within two years of passing their licensing exam, or they must retest.

If you are eligible to take the MBLEx, let’s move on to the next string of questions that follow the eligibility question. These questions typically revolve around the anxiety of recalling all of the information you learned in massage school years ago.

Preparation Time and Methods

How do you prepare for the MBLEx when it has been 2, 5, 10, or 20 years? Where do you start? And how much time do you need to prepare?

I have helped people pass the MBLEx before graduating, those that went to school 28 years ago, and everything in between. Even I took the MBLEx ten years after attending massage school and initially taking the NCETMB.

I am not saying this exam will be easy. In fact, it will be a very challenging exam. However, with focused study, I know it is possible to pass the MBLEx no matter how long it has been since you graduated. I see it all the time!

Once you have decided you are going to take the MBLEx, it is time to develop your study plan.

How Long Do I Need?

First, you will need to determine (roughly) how much time you need to prepare for the MBLEx. This not only helps you set a goal date, but will help you gauge how much time you need in an MBLEx preparation program.

It may not be as much time as you think you need. You do not need to learn all of that information for the first time. Your massage program was likely six months long, so you really just need to review. Reviewing is different than learning something for the first time.

If you have not actively practiced or studied massage for years, but you are finally ready to get your license, 3-6 months seems to be the average time needed for preparation.

If you have been active in the massage field, practicing massage, then I would prepare for 1-3 months of studying and review.

How Do I Begin Studying?

I find prospective students are often overwhelmed by what they need to learn or review before they even begin studying for the MBLEx. The following is what I recommend for members of Massage Exam Academy.

To help with these overwhelming feelings, I break the study guide and practices quizzes down in the same eight content areas of the MBLEx. I recommend taking at least one of the simulation exams in the beginning. Based on the simulation results, you should be able to determine your weakest area(s) and begin reviewing these areas/subjects in the study guide and with practice quizzes.

Fix the Weak Spots First

I always recommend working on your weakest links first. This may be anatomy, physiology, or kinesiology. If kinesiology and anatomy were difficult for you previously, they likely will still be a challenging. There are many resources available to help those who struggle with these subjects, including visual and hands-on learners.

Even if all the information seems unfamiliar at first, as you go through the study guide, you’ll start to recognize more and more terms. These small steps will add up quickly.

Prepare for the Current MBLEx

The current MBLEx is definitely not the same as the former MBLEx (pre-2014) or NCETMB. Too many people prepare for a quiz instead of a licensing exam.

The purpose of the MBLEx is to assess your competence to safely practice massage. Expect to have an exam with longer, complex questions and clinical situations. There are a number of ways to prepare for these questions.

  • take shorter, quiz-style practice questions to learn terms and facts
  • review how to break down longer questions
  • learn multiple choice strategy
  • take some exam simulations

Assess and Reassess

Just as you would do with a client, you will need to assess and then reassess your progress. Look at your quiz scores and evaluate how you are doing. This can help you determine if you are truly not ready for your exam date, or if it is just cold feet and anxiety before your exam.

You can fine-tune your exam date, if needed. This may be taking more time to prepare, or even moving your exam date up.

How to Avoid the #1 MBLEx Study Mistake

Free Lesson + Quiz



Comments

  1. Hello Ivy, my name is Adrian. I graduated from MT school back on May 31st, 2012. I went into the test taking center to take my MBLEx exam with confidence a few weeks after my graduation. Unfortunetly, I failed my MBLEX exam by 5 points. At that time, I didn’t get discouraged. I rescheduled to take the MBLEx again 30 days after my 1st initial exam. Unfortunetly, I failed that exam by 5 points as well. After that, I put my love for massage on the back burner and stayed with doing my Certified Nurse Assistant career. Its been over 7 years since I last took the MBLEx exam. I have pick up a MBLEx study guide since then, but I had trouble with A&P and Kinesiology on the exam. I don’t want spend $5,840 for a MT program but If I have to I will so I can do what I truly love as a career. Can you help?

    Reply

    • I think I can help. The one month program on http://www.massageexamacademy.com is $50 for one month, $75 for three, and $100 for six months. In your case, I would think three months would be sufficient.

      I have students focus on their weak points first. There are lots of resources available for anatomy and kinesiology as they are the two most common struggles.

      Look it over and let me know if you have questions.

      Reply

  2. Hello Ivy ! My name is Bonnie. I became a massage therapist back in 1993. I practiced for 20 years in California with a license. In 20I4 I stopped doing massage. After a while I had to let my license lapse. I did take a lot of classes and work for years doing a lot of massage for my living. I’m just wondering if it’s possible to transfer certifications from one state to another or would I have to recertify? or can I use my old certifications for licensing again? I now live in Oklahoma.

    Reply

    • I must say that I am not an expert in licensing in every state. Oklahoma is one I rarely work with. And their website is rather confusing as the cosmetology board is where massage is regulated. And they have only regulated massage since 2017. From looking at their website, here is some information I found in their Act

      https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/documents/2016-08-01_SB687.pdf

      Some of the requirements are (vaguely):
      Be over 18.
      Show completion of a massage program over 500 hours.
      Documentation of passing a massage therapy exam (I assume examples would be MBLEx, NCETMB….)
      Have insurance

      So that leaves some questions. I do not know how many hours you have with you CA license or if you took an exam, but my best suggestion is to call the board office in OK and ask them what they think. They should be able to tell you if you qualify. Licenses really do not transfer, you just need to find out if you qualify for a license in the state.

      Reply

  3. Hello Ivy this is Kimberly. I took and failed my MBLEX in June 2018! I still feel discouraged that I want to change careers this is the 2nd time I took the Mblex since I graduated in 2012… I know I can pass it. Its really stressful when you fail it but yet I know material.

    Maybe if I try way hard this come around I may pass this year. So thinking of taking it again. So needing your help! 😭😭

    Reply

    • Some people really struggle with the MBLEx, but if massage is something you want to do, I suggest you give it another try. The plan to pass on our website will always be here when you are ready to put together your plan.

      Reply

  4. Hi Ivy,
    Is there any possible way to contact you and speak personally?
    I have a very challenging situation, and would love support to move through a major block regarding the MBLEX.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  5. I am a New York license massage therapist since 2004, When we took the board for New York there were study guides and bobs review class ( at Swedish institute) and the answers were pretty straight forward…no “trick questions”. the MBLEX is like a mystery . Not sure why they are trying to make is where there can be many answers that fit the question and most of all there seems to be little help to obtain information. I would like to get a license in Florida and conn as this was taking the state continuing ed and the nationals which do not exist any longer. Calling Florida board was just as much as a mystery as MBLEX information . Where do you sign up ..where are the testing sites (live in NYC practice in Westchester NY) ..how many times can you take exam …legit study guides and so on. Been massage therapist since 2004 and reading some of their questions seem so silly and I need a good refresher. What books really help …thank you

    Reply

  6. I graduated from a 500 hour program in SC in 2001! I moved to CO right after and never took the test for licensing because CO didnt require it. Then life happened and I havent been practicing and now live in GA. Am I eligible to take the exam?

    Reply

    • I don’t see a reason why you couldn’t. This is a common question and as long as you can show proof of your education, you should be able to sit for the exam.

      Reply

  7. Can I sit for my MLBEx if it’s been 10 years since I graduated school? I can’t find information anywhere

    Reply

    • Hi Jennifer,

      Most likely. Read the “Eligibility” section of this post again to see if there is anything that applies to you. Without knowing where you are located and the number of hours you took, it is impossible for me to guess. But I have people take the exam 10-15 years out of school at least a few times each week.

      Reply

  8. I put my massage career on hold after my graduating from massage therapy school. I failed the Mblex and got discouraged. The school I graduated from shut down, and now I’m afraid I won’t be able to re-test if my school is no longer recognized.

    Reply

    • If it makes you feel better, I have not heard of this being a problem for others. Which state are you in? Have you called the massage board to talk to them about your concerns?

      Reply

      • I am in the same boat and cmatc approved me via a special letter.

        Even though CA doesn’t need it at this moment I have sent my transcripts in and proof that my school was approved and in good standing all the way up until the end of 2018 and they still won’t let me take it please anyone who can help?

        Reply

  9. I have gotten discouraged numerous times. My school of choice presents rather disorganized. There is a particular job opening, i truly am considering. What they are requesting which is basic, i was never taught in school. Youtube guided me to conduct the massage i do, chair massage as well as table. I have never done a side lying or prenatal. Money will have to be spent to take courses for such.
    I show up each day to make up hours, which accurred secondarily to live happens 500 min florida hours. Theses school are seeking greater hours, few including the one i attend don’t instruct cupping, hot rock, manipulation of any sort. There were persons’ going to school night and day to acquire hours. Now the school states the state says that can no longer occur really.
    Since i am pass the min hours state required, could i sit for the Mblex, and then continue to sit in the class daily to make up hours. Disappointed truly.

    Reply

    • You can always learn techniques after graduating. That is what continuing education is for ;). The 500 hours is meant to be entry level and just introduce you to a few techniques. Enjoy your classes!

      Reply

  10. I graduated massage school in 2015 took the MBLEX in April 2016 and failed. I have not gone back to take it but I am currently looking for something that is like a refresher course in the areas of massage. Do you have any info on where or what would be a good refresher course or something I can do online or at home?

    Reply

    • Local schools would be the best place to check for a live course. However, I feel that you would be a great candidate for using the program on this website. That way you can pinpoint your weaker areas first and focus on those.

      Reply

  11. Hello Ivy, my name is Wilmer. I graduated from Florida College Of Natural Health in October 2011 but I did not take the Mblex. Live hopened and at the time I was dealing with my PTSD from the US Army. Most people loved my massages and techniques. Now in 2018 I have decided finally to take the Mblex but sometimes i do get discouraged, although I have no excuses not to pass it because my wife keeps motivating me and I have a 2017 version of an Mblex book, I have an Anatomy 3d App on my phone plus another Muscle App and a Mblex Practice Test App that I have bought to study. But I still get discouraged I feel like I have to learn everything once again :(. Thank you for this post by the way. What do you think?

    Reply

    • Welcome back, Wilmer! I see people get discouraged a lot. It is normal. But sometimes slow and steady practice wins the race. Keep looking for progress in your scores and work on the problems areas first. That is the best advice I give people that use my program on here.

      Reply

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