Louisiana Massage Therapist License Exam
To get licensed in Louisiana, massage therapists are required to take a massage xam that covers such subjects as anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. Whether you live in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport 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 a license to practice massage therapy in Louisiana.
Who Grants a License: Licenses are granted by the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy.
Qualifications to receive a License: A candidate needs to complete a minimum of 500 contact hours from an accredited school.
A candidate also needs to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Exam (NCCAOM Exam).
For more information on qualifications, see Louisiana 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.
The application to take the NCCAOM Exam can be found at NCCAOM Application. More information can be found on the NCCAOM Exam in the Certification Handbook. Information on NCCAOM’s Asian Bodywork Therapy can be found in the ABT Certification Handbook.
Test Content: The MBLEx and the NCCAOM Exam 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
NCCAOM - Asian Bodywork Therapy Exam
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and test takers have two hours and thirty minutes to complete the computer-based exam. The exam uses an adaptive testing process, where the computer-based exam determines the level of the candidate based on whether a correct answer is given to a specific question. If a question is answered correctly, the next question is a bit more difficult. If the answer to a question is incorrect, the next question will be a bit easier. You are unable to return to a previous answer in the adaptive testing process. The adaptive testing process determines a candidate’s knowledge level and a certain level must be attained to pass the exam.
The exam is divided into eight content areas:
- Practice Management
- Assessment
- Analysis and Differentiation of Syndromes/Patterns
- Treatment Principle
- Evaluation/Adjustment of Treatment
- Client Education
- Apply Treatment
How to Apply for the License: Candidates must provide Board the following: (1) completed application; (2) transcript of completed course of study; and (3) verification on the passing of the MBLEx or NCCAOM Exam. The documents should be sent to:
Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy
2645 O’Neal Lane
Building C, Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 756-3488
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) and the NCCAOM Exam is administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
License Renewal Requirements: A massage therapist must renew their license every year and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education every year.
Applicable Regulations: Massage therapists in Louisiana are regulated by the Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 37, Chapter 57, Massage Therapists and Establishments and by Administrative Rules, Title 46, Part XLV, Massage Therapists.
