Indiana Massage Therapist License Exam
To get licensed in Indiana, massage therapists are required to take a massage exam that covers such subjects as anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. Whether you live in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne or another city or county, the resources below will help you get starte on the path to receive your massage license.
Need of a Massage License: A massage therapist needs a license to practice massage therapy in Indiana.
Who Grants a License: Licenses are granted by the Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy.
Qualifications to receive a License: A candidate needs to complete a minimum of 620 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an accredited massage therapy school or program.
The candidate must also pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or the NBCA’s National Certification Exam (NCE).
For more information on qualifications, see Indiana Massage Therapist.
Applying for the Massage Exam: Candidates can apply online to take the MBLEx. More information can be found on the MBLEx in a Candidate Handbook.
Candidates can apply online to take the NCE.
Test Content: The exams have the following content:
MBLEx
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with four choices provided for each question. Test takers have 110 minutes to complete the computer-based exam.
The exam is divided into eight content areas:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations
- Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue
- Client Assessment, Reassessment, & Treatment Planning
- Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modalities
- Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations
- Guidelines for Professional Practice
NCE
The exam consists in 200 multiple choice questions and 5 multiple choice essay questions for a total of 205 multiple-choice questions. Test takers have two hours to complete the paper/pencil based exam.
The exam is divided into four content areas:
- Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology Kinesiology
- Bony Landmarks
- Practice, Ethics, Jurisprudence and Treatment Components
- Clinical Interpretation
How to Apply for the License: Candidates must provide the Board the following documents: (1) completed application; (2) transcript of completed course of study; (3) criminal background check; (4) passport photograph; and (5) verification from the FSMTB or NBCA of passage of the MBLEx or NCE respectively. The documents should be sent to:
State Board of Massage Therapy
Professional Licensing Agency
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 234-2051
Official school transcripts and MBLEx or NCE results must be forwarded directly to the Board from the respective organization.
Professional Liability Insurance: Candidates need to have professional liability insurance in place prior to certification.
Fees: There are fees to apply to become a licensed massage therapist.
Who administers the Massage Test: The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The NCE is administered by the National Board Certification Agency (NBCA).
License Renewal Requirements: A massage therapist must renew their license every 4 years.
Applicable Regulations: Massage therapists in Indiana are regulated by Indiana Code 25-21.8 and Administrative Code Title 847.
