Transcript Slide 1
Meet the MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination Presented by Debra Persinger, PhD FSMTB Executive Director 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 We Asked You: What types of obstacles do your students face when applying for their licensing? What You Told Us 1. NCBTMB has a confusing application process 2. Slow turn-around on applications by NCBTMB 3. Lost documents at NCBTMB 4. Students have limited funds 5. Distance to testing site (some students) 6. Student may have limited computer skills 7. Language barriers 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 MBLEx Adoption • Arkansas • Puerto Rico • Georgia • South Carolina • Iowa • South Dakota • Louisiana • Tennessee • Maine • Texas • Mississippi • Utah • New Mexico • Washington • Oregon • West Virginia 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 MBLEx Content Outline Guidelines for Professional Practice 10% Ethics, Boudaries, Laws & Regulations 13% Anatomy & Physiology 14% Kinesiology 11% Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modalities 5% Client Assessment & Treament Planning 17% Pathology, Contraindications, et al 13% Benefits and Physiological Effects of Techniques that Manipulate Soft Tissue 17% Content Outline • Anatomy & Physiology • Kinesiology • 14% • 11% • System structure • System function • Components/characteristics of muscle tissue • Health care terminology • Muscle contractions • Tissue injury and repair • Proprioceptors • Concepts of energetic anatomy • Locations, attachments, fiber direction • Actions • Joint structure and function • Range of motion 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 Content Outline • Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning • 17% • Overview of Massage & Bodywork History/Culture/Modaliti es • Organization of a session • 5% • Client consultation and evaluation • History of massage & bodywork • Written data collection • Palpation assessment • Overview of different skill sets used in contemporary massage/bodywork environments • Range of motion assessment • Overview of modalities • Visual assessment • Clinical reasoning 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 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 MBLEx Application Process Overview Application Through FSMTB Step 1: Gather Information • Download from www.fsmtb.org • Candidate handbook • MBLEx application • MBLEx content outline • Other documents if required Step 2: Apply • Complete the application • Submit application to FSMTB • $195 fee • No need to send transcripts MBLEx A simple application form! No need to send transcripts! Application Through FSMTB Step 3: Wait for a Notice to Schedule (NTS) Step 4: Register • NTS arrives via e-mail (if provided) or regular mail • Follow the directions on the NTS to register • Includes information about where and how to test • A registration confirmation arrives with: • Test date • Test time • Test location Application Through FSMTB Step 5: Test! Step 6: Score! • Arrive 30 minutes early • Score report received at test site • 2 forms of current ID • Verification of score report sent directly to the state • Students can test before graduation leading to faster licensing, job placement and career start 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. Differences MBLEx NCBTMB • Licensing exam • Certification exam • Involvement of regulatory community in exam development • No involvement of regulatory community in exam development • Based on large JTA • Based on small JTA Time for a Poll! Conclusions • Reviewed history of FSMTB • Overview of the MBLEx • Contents of the MBLEx • Application process for the MBLEx Questions?