2023 Edition

MBLEx Practice Exam

Take our free MBLEx practice exams with challenging questions, fully explained answers and instant scoring.

The MBLEx is a standardized certification exam produced by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and used by many states to license or certify massage therapists.

The massage exam sections below are based on actual exam sections: Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology and Contraindications: Physiological Effects of Massage, Client Assessment,  Ethics, Boundaries, Laws and Regulations and Guidelines for Professional Practice.

To prepare for the MBLEx, use our 1,000 question practice exam for the MBLEx authored by a team of instructors in the field of massage therapy.

 
 

Anatomy & Physiology

1. A client is asked to abduct her arms. Which of the following accurately describes her arm movement?
2. Which of the following suffixes indicate a sensitivity to pain?
3. What type of joint would be affected by rotator cuff tendinitis?
4. This is an image of a long bone. The arrow is pointing to ________________.
5. The kidneys are free floating organs that are held in place by adipose tissue in the thoracic area. What structure protects the kidneys from harm?
6. Which of the following muscles attach to the ischial tuberosity?
7. You go outside into cold weather without a coat. Your body reacts to the exposure with goosebumps and shivers. These reactions are all an attempt to return your body to ____.
8. A client has a hairline fracture in the left anterior, medial, distal femur. Where is this fracture located?
9. Which of the following is not one of the organ systems of the body?
10. All of the following are anatomical planes of the body except:
11. The five bone types are:
12. The scapula hosts many attachment sites. The lateral border is the attachment site for the:

Kinesiology

13. What muscle assists the prime mover by encouraging the same joint motion while helping to stabilize the moving joint?
14. While flexing the little toe, which muscle do we employ?
15. This set of muscles perform the same actions and are synergists.
16. An isolated contraction of which of the following is antagonistic to the action of vastus lateralis?
17. Muscle spindles are most sensitive to what type of stimulus?
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18. The teres major is called this muscle's "little helper" as it's synergist.
19. When performing a post isometric relaxation stretch the target muscle is lengthened until a mild stretch is felt. At that point the target muscle is contracted and then relaxed so the muscle can lengthen further. This is an example of innervating this proprioceptor:

Pathology & Contraindications

20. When working with adult clients who are on the autism spectrum, which of the following must be taken into consideration?
21. Olecranon bursitis occurs at which joint in the body?
22. A client complains of feeling cranky, being nervous, having frequent headaches, with a tingly feeling in her skin. She also has trouble sleeping. Of the following, which condition may be causing these symptoms?
23. Which of the following gender and age groups are most susceptible to osteoporosis?
24. A client presents with a small bulge at the bottom of his rib cage above his abdomen. The client tells you he has a hernia. What type of hernia does he have?
25. Which of the following is NOT an effective, safe massage treatment for someone with COPD?
26. A new client's intake form states they have been diagnosed with Cataplexy. What does this mean?

Physiological Effects of Massage

27. A client informs the massage therapist that she has been feeling "stressed" lately. The therapist suggests the use of Swedish massage. What hormone is typically reduced during Swedish massage?
28. During the repair phase of healing, stretching is a preferred technique. Why?
29. Massage reduces blood pressure by simulating which of the following:
30. What is the physiology behind the feeling of wellbeing brought on by massage attributed to?
31. Deep friction massage is indicated in which stage of healing?

Client Assessment

32. During your intake interview, your client tells you that she has had lower back pain and she points to her lower left back area. In what section of the S.O.A.P. notes would this go?
33. While performing a postural analysis on a client you note that she is slumped forward with the palms of her hands facing the sides of her legs. This would indicate:
34. While performing a deep tissue massage on a client, you notice the client's breathing change, almost like they are holding their breath. What is this an indication of?
35. A 30 year old client states that he has pes planus. How might this affect the client's body and movements?
36. Moving through initial client assessments, what is the best way for an LMT to get an accurate idea of a client's gait?

Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations

37. A client's demeanor reminds a massage therapist of her beloved uncle. This is an example of:
38. Therapists should maintain clear standards of practice for client draping to avoid crossing the:
39. If a massage therapist invokes a therapist's "right of refusal" to give massage in a case where massage is contraindicated, which specific principle of massage therapy is upheld?
40. A massage therapist has a friend who is a client. The massage therapist feels bad charging the client. From what is this feeling arising from?
41. A massage therapist is advising a client to take a certain medication. What boundary or rule is being broken?
42. To obtain informed consent all of the following are necessary, except:

Guidelines for Professional Practice

43. The two main stances for massage therapists to use for technique delivery are:
44. A massage therapist should avoid wearing wrinkled clothing, too much makeup and sexy attire as a matter of:
45. Which tax form would an independent contractor of a wellness center receive at the end of the calendar year?
46. All of the following are necessary to the legal practice of massage therapy, except:
47. A client may pay for massage therapy services with:
48. If a client has autonomy in a healthcare relationship, it means he or she has:

Massage History & Culture

49. Who standardized massage terminology and is given credit for bringing massage to the scientific community?
50. Which modality was created originally for pediatric clients as an option for acupuncture?

MBLEx is a trademark of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) that did not produce or endorse this material.