News and Media

Florida Latest State to Adopt MBLEx

May 2, 2008

Contact: Debra Persinger, Ph.D. 
Executive Director, FSMTB
dpersinger@fsmtb.org / 913.681.0380

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2008

(Overland Park, Kan., May 2) – The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) today announced Florida is the most recent state to adopt the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) as an entry-level competence exam. Florida will adopt the MBLEx Aug. 1 this year and use it exclusively as of May 1, 2009.

The test was introduced Oct. 1, 2007, with eight states adopting it by late October. This week Florida joined Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia to become the 16th State to recognize the MBLEx.

“The decision by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy to adopt the MBLEx represents a monumental step forward, not only for professionals in Florida but across the nation,” said Patty Glenn, LMT, and FSMTB president. “We support and applaud the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Board members for their integrity in the decision-making process and their commitment to public protection. We are poised and ready to serve both the licensing board and the professionals seeking licensure in Florida.”

Founded in 2005, FSMTB developed the MBLEx to provide a reliable exam under control of state regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing massage and bodywork practice, rather than having examinations administered by a third-party organization. This approach benefits the massage and bodywork community in providing mobility across state lines for their practice, as well as offering a streamlined process that supports, rather than delays, their licensure and entry into the field. The Federation quickly grew after its founding and now has 28 states as members, nearly three-quarters of states that regulate the profession.

“Exclusive use of the MBLEx is the sound approach to protecting the public and giving the profession a uniform credential that would be recognized anywhere in the United States,” Glenn said. “This could never happen with the existing certification process because some states are either prohibited by law or reluctant to delegate to an outside organization.”

The Federation’s mission is to improve communication between states and offer prospects for enhanced licensing reciprocity for the ultimate benefit of safe massage and bodywork practice protecting consumers. FSMTB promotes networking among state licensing boards to share the common issues that each agency deals with on a regular basis. Creating and gaining recognition for the MBLEx has been a key objective for FSMTB.

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