Meet the MBLEx

1. Meet the MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

2. Presented by Debra Persinger, PhD FSMTB Executive Director

3. Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) • Formed August 2005 • Mission: To Support Members Boards • Facilitate communication between massage boards • Promote compatible requirements to increase portability • Create valid reliable licensing examination • Other Perceived Needs: • Consistent scope of practice • Clear entry-level standards • National database of practitioners

4. We Asked You: What types of obstacles do your students face when applying for their licensing?

5. What You Told Us • NCBTMB has a confusing application process • Slow turn-around on applications by NCBTMB • Lost documents at NCBTMB • Students have limited funds • Distance to testing site (some students) • Student may have limited computer skills • Language barriers

6. The MBLEx Overview • Simple application process • Online application in development • 1 week turn-around on applications • 125 multiple choice questions • $195 fee • Online testing tutorial • Practice tests are in development • Results to states every 24 hours

7. MBLEx Adoption • Arkansas • Georgia • Iowa • Louisiana • Maine • Mississippi • New Mexico • Oregon • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Washington • West Virginia

8. MBLEx Development • Over 60 subject matter experts • All geographical regions represented • 15 psychometricians and testing specialists • Inclusion of regulatory community • Based on input from 7,646 massage & bodywork practitioners • Use of best practices for test development

10. Content Outline • Anatomy & Physiology • 14% • System structure • System function • Health care terminology • Tissue injury and repair • Concepts of energetic anatomy • Kinesiology • 11% • Components/characteristics of muscle tissue • Muscle contractions • Proprioceptors • Locations, attachments, fiber direction • Actions • Joint structure and function • Range of motion

11. Content Outline • Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations • 13% • Common pathologies • Contraindications • Areas of caution • Special populations • Classes of medication • Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue • 17% • Physiological effects of soft-tissue manipulation • Psychological aspects and benefits of touch • Benefits of soft-tissue manipulation • Soft-tissue techniques • Types of strokes/sequence • Hot/cold applications

12. Content Outline • Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning • 17% • Organization of a session • Client consultation and evaluation • Written data collection • Visual assessment • Palpation assessment • Range of motion assessment • Clinical reasoning • Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modalities • 5% • History of massage & bodywork • Overview of different skill sets used in contemporary massage/bodywork environments • Overview of modalities

13. Content Outline • Ethics, Boundaries, Laws and Regulations • 13% • Ethical behavior • Professional boundaries • Code of ethics violations • The therapeutic relationship • Dual relationships • Sexual misconduct • Laws and regulations • Scope of practice • Professional communication • Confidentiality • Principles • Guidelines for Professional Practice • 10% • Safe use equipment/supplies • Hygiene • Sanitation and cleanliness • Safety practices • Therapist self-care • Draping • Business practices Content Outline Available at www.fsmtb.org

14. Time for a Poll! FSMTB is developing practice tests for the MBLEx. Would schools and students prefer one big practice test covering all areas, or would they prefer smaller practice tests covering each content area? ☐I want one big practice test ☐I want small practice tests covering each content area

15. MBLEx Application Process Overview

16. Application Through FSMTB Step 1: Gather Information Step 2: Apply Complete the application Submit application to FSMTB $195 fee No need to send transcripts • Download from www.fsmtb.org • Candidate handbook • MBLEx application • MBLEx content outline • Other documents if required

17. MBLEx A simple application form! No need to send transcripts!

18. Application Through FSMTB Step 3: Wait for a Notice to Schedule (NTS) Step 4: Register Follow the directions on the NTS to register A registration confirmation arrives with: Test date Test time Test location • NTS arrives via e-mail (if provided) or regular mail • Includes information about where and how to test

19. Application Through FSMTB Step 5: Test! Step 6: Score! Score report received at test site Verification of score report sent directly to the state Students can test before graduation leading to faster licensing, job placement and career start • Arrive 30 minutes early • 2 forms of current ID

20. Application Through State Board/Agency • Each state/jurisdiction is different • Log onto state board/agency website for details (links to boards/agency sites available at www.fsmtb.org) • States/jurisdictions usually require transcripts from school for licensing.

21. Differences MBLEx NCBTMB Certification exam No involvement of regulatory community in exam development Based on small JTA • Licensing exam • Involvement of regulatory community in exam development • Based on large JTA

22. Time for a Poll!

23. Conclusions • Reviewed history of FSMTB • Overview of the MBLEx • Contents of the MBLEx • Application process for the MBLEx

24. Questions?