Colorado Massage Therapist License Exam

To get licensed in Colorado, massage therapists are required to take a massage exam that covers such subjects as anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology.  Whether you live in Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your massage license.

Need of a Massage License: A massage therapist needs to be licensed to practice massage therapy in Colorado.

Who Grants a License:  Licenses are granted by the Colorado Office of Massage Therapist Registration

Qualifications to receive a License:  A candidate needs to complete a minimum of 500 hours of course and clinical work from an approved massage school.  The candidate must also pass either the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETM / NCETMB) or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).

For more information on qualifications, see Application for Original Registration – Massage Therapist.   

Applying for the Massage Exam:  

Candidates can apply online to take the NCETM or NCETMB.   More information can be found on the NCETMB in a Candidate Handbook.

Candidates can apply online to take the MBLEx.

More information can be found on the MBLEx in a Candidate Handbook.

Test Content:   The NCETMB and the MBLEx have the following content:

NCETM and NCETMB

The exams consist of 160 multiple-choice questions with four choices provided for each question.  Test takers have two hours and forty minutes to complete the computer based exam.

The exams are divided into six content areas:

     -          General knowledge of body systems 

     -          Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology 

     -          Pathology 

     -          Therapeutic massage assessment (NCETNB includes bodywork assessment) 

     -          Therapeutic massage application (NCETNB includes bodywork application) 

     -          Professional standards, ethics, business and legal practices 

MBLEx 

The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions with four choices provided for each question.  Test takers have two hours and thirty 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 

How to Apply for the License:  Candidates must provide the Colorado Office of Massage Therapist Registration the following documents:  completed application, with criminal background check and finger printing.  The documents should be sent to:

                Colorado Division of Registrations

                Office of Licensing – Massage Therapy

                1560 Broadway, Suite 1350

                Denver, CO  80202

 Phone: (303) 894-7800

 Fax: (303) 894-7693

Fees:  There are fees to apply to become a licensed massage therapist.

Who administers the test:  The NCETMB is administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and Pearson Vue and the MBLEx is administered by the the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).

License Renewal Requirements: A massage therapist must renew their license every 2 years and there is no continuing education requirement.

Insurance Requirement:  Massage therapists must carry  professional liability insurance in an amount not less than $50,000 per claim with an annual aggregate liability limit of $300,000 for all claims.

Applicable Regulations:  Massage therapists in Colorado are regulated by the Massage Therapy Practices Act, Title 12, Article 35.5 and the Colorado MassageTherapy Registration Rules and Regulations, 3 CCR 772-1

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 For more information on licensing and exam preparation, go to Tests.com’s  MBLEx Test Guide and NCETM / NCETMB Test Guide.

 And take Tests.com’s Massage Therapist Practice Tests:

 MBLEx Practice Test

 NCETM Practice Test

For massage therapy exam preparation products, such as study guides, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com’s MBLEx and NCETM/NCETMB listings.