Question 1CA.G · Clinical reasoning
Why does a therapist measure a client's neck rotation before and after treatment?
Massage licensing exam pass rate
FSMTB reports that 17,160 candidates took the exam from July 2024 to June 2025 and 70.4% passed on their first attempt. Results are reported only as pass or fail, against a fixed standard of minimum competence.
| First-time pass rate | 70.4% |
|---|---|
| Candidates tested | 17,160, July 2024 to June 2025 |
| Result | Pass or fail |
| If you fail | A report on each content area |
How the result is decided
The passing standard is criterion referenced: licensed practitioners, guided by testing professionals, set the minimum level of knowledge needed for safe practice, and FSMTB's board adopts it. The same standard applies to every candidate.
Because the exam is adaptive, the questions get harder after right answers and easier after wrong ones, and FSMTB does not publish a passing number of questions.
What you see on the day
- If you pass, a message says so on screen when you finish.
- If you fail, you get a diagnostic report on your performance in each content area.
- Your result goes to the state board you named within five business days.
What to aim for in practice
- Take a full 100-question practice exam on the 110-minute clock.
- Find the areas where you get the fewest right and fix those first.
- Answer every question in order: the exam does not let you skip and come back.
Try 3 questions
Question 2BF.D · Soft tissue techniques
Which technique applies sustained direct pressure to a trigger point until the tissue softens?
Question 3PP.C · Sanitation and cleanliness
How should used massage linens be laundered?
Next step
Questions people ask
What is the pass rate for the MBLEx?
FSMTB's 2025 Annual Report gives a first-time pass rate of 70.4% for July 2024 to June 2025.
What score do you need to pass the MBLEx?
Results are reported only as pass or fail. The passing standard is a criterion-referenced level of competence, and no passing number of questions is published.
Do you get a score if you pass?
No. Passing candidates see a pass message; candidates who fail get a diagnostic report on each content area.
How soon does the state board get my result?
FSMTB sends the official result to the board you named within five business days of the exam.