NCBTMB Certification 2025
NCBTMB Exam 2025 is one of the most important steps in becoming a massage therapist. Some massage schools help students apply for the NCETM/TMB exam before graduation. This helps decrease the waiting time between graduation and licensure.
The NCETM/TMB is a standardized computer-based test (CBT). It has 160 multiple-choice questions and 2 hours to complete.
Free NCBTMB Practice Test Online
NCBTMB Login
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork is an independent, non-profit organization that sets and maintains high standards of ethical and professional practice in the field of massage therapy and bodywork. NCBTMB certifies massage therapists and bodyworkers on behalf of the profession, and its examinations are used and/or recognized in statute or rule by 38 states. Choosing an NCBTMB board certified practitioner is a mark of commitment to excellence.
The NCBTMB exam is a computer-based test that will deliver questions one at a time. The screen will display your name, the question number you are on, and the amount of time remaining. You can move to the next question by clicking on it. You can also select the “navigator” button, which allows you to move around the questions and see how you are doing on each.
To become an NCBTMB board certified massage therapist or bodyworker, you need to complete a minimum of 24 continuing education credits from an approved provider every two years. You can earn these credits by taking classes on topics like anatomy, physiology, and business.
| What is NCBTMB? | NCBTMB is National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the nonprofit organization providing certification, continuing education approval, and professional standards for massage therapists and bodywork practitioners nationwide. |
| What does NCBTMB stand for? | NCBTMB stands for National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the leading credentialing organization for massage therapy professionals in the United States. |
| What is NCBTMB certification exam? | NCBTMB certification exam is the 100-question computer-based assessment covering anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, ethics, and therapeutic techniques required for Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (BCTMB) credential. |
| How much does NCBTMB cost? | NCBTMB costs $195 initial certification exam, $100 annual renewal fee, plus optional study materials ($30-$100) and continuing education courses ($20-$300). |
| What is NCBTMB massage? | NCBTMB massage refers to therapeutic massage services provided by practitioners holding Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) credential demonstrating advanced professional competency. |
| What is NCBTMB board certification? | NCBTMB board certification is the Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (BCTMB) credential earned by passing examination, completing education requirements, and maintaining continuing education standards. |
| What is NCBTMB certification requirements? | NCBTMB certification requirements include graduation from 500+ hour massage therapy program, passing board certification exam, background check, and adherence to standards of practice and code of ethics. |
| What is NCBTMB renewal requirements? | NCBTMB renewal requirements include 48 contact hours continuing education every 4 years with specific hours in ethics and hands-on techniques, $100 renewal fee, and adherence to ethical standards. |
| What is NCBTMB practice test? | NCBTMB practice test provides sample exam questions, format familiarization, content review covering anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, ethics, and therapeutic techniques preparing candidates for board certification examination. |
| What is NCBTMB exam prep? | NCBTMB exam prep includes study guides, practice tests, review courses, flashcards, and preparation materials covering all content areas tested on board certification examination. |
| What is NCBTMB study guide? | NCBTMB study guide provides comprehensive content review, practice questions, test-taking strategies, and subject breakdowns covering anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, ethics, and massage techniques. |
| What is NCBTMB test questions? | NCBTMB test questions include 100 multiple-choice items covering anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, ethics, therapeutic relationship, assessment, and therapeutic massage techniques. |
| What is NCBTMB continuing education requirements? | NCBTMB continuing education requirements include 48 contact hours every 4 years with specific hours in ethics, hands-on techniques, and approved subject areas maintaining board certification. |
| What is NCBTMB approved continuing education? | NCBTMB approved continuing education includes courses from approved providers covering therapeutic massage techniques, ethics, business practices, anatomy, pathology, and specialty modalities meeting certification renewal requirements. |
| What is NCBTMB CEU? | NCBTMB CEU (Continuing Education Units) are contact hours earned through approved courses maintaining board certification, requiring 48 hours every 4-year renewal cycle with specific category requirements. |
| What is NCBTMB approved online continuing education? | NCBTMB approved online continuing education offers virtual courses covering ethics, techniques, pathology, and business practices from approved providers meeting certification renewal requirements. |
| What is NCBTMB approved provider? | NCBTMB approved provider is organization or individual authorized to offer continuing education courses meeting NCBTMB standards for board certified massage therapists' renewal requirements. |
| What is NCBTMB schools? | NCBTMB schools are massage therapy educational institutions with programs meeting minimum 500-hour requirements whose graduates are eligible to apply for board certification examination. |
| What is NCBTMB scope of practice? | NCBTMB scope of practice defines professional boundaries for board certified practitioners including therapeutic massage techniques, assessment, treatment planning, client education, and ethical standards compliance. |
| What is NCBTMB license renewal? | NCBTMB license renewal requires submitting renewal application every 4 years, paying $100 fee, completing 48 continuing education hours, and maintaining adherence to ethical standards. |
NCBTMB Renewal
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offers a voluntary board certification for massage therapists. This credential allows massage therapists to append the letters “BCTMB” after their names, as long as they re-certify every two years. To qualify for the board certification, massage therapists must meet several requirements including work experience and continuing education.
The NCBTMB exam consists of 140 questions covering six domains. These domains cover everything from massage assessment and applied sciences to professional communication and ethics. The BCETMB has a pass rate of around 63% (in 2025).
If you’re planning on taking the NCBTMB exam, it’s important to understand the differences between it and the MBLEx. The MBLEx is an entry-level licensing exam for massage therapists and it requires more hands-on experience than the NCBTMB exam. Additionally, the MBLEx is administered by a state board. Depending on where you live, you may have different requirements for MBLEx eligibility. However, there are some similarities between the MBLEx and the NCBTMB exam. Both exams require a background check and a fee.
NCBTMB vs MBLEX
In addition to requiring the appropriate number of hours of training, most jurisdictions also require that massage therapists obtain state licensure before beginning work. This may mean taking a national certification exam or passing a local licensing exam. The NCETM and MBLEx are the two most popular exams. Applicants must be sure to have their applications processed in time to meet local requirements before taking the exam.
The NCETM is a national certification exam, with questions covering topics from massage assessment and applied sciences to professional ethics and communication. The MBLEx, on the other hand, focuses more on the clinical application of massage techniques and pathology. It has been reported that the MBLEx is more difficult, although this is not always true.
The MBLEx is the only national entry-level exam for massage therapists, and it is recognized by most states that regulate the profession. However, the NCBTMB does still offer a Board Certification exam for experienced massage therapists. Until recently, this exam was called the NCETMB, but it has been discontinued.
NCBTMB Continuing Education
The National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) is a nationally-administered computerized test that has 160 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes two hours and 40 minutes to complete, and participants receive a pass or fail result. If they are unsuccessful, they will receive information about the areas of the test that presented the most challenges, so they can be better prepared if they decide to take the exam again.
The NCETMB exam is designed to be challenging, but the right preparation tools can help you get your score up to where it needs to be. A good starting point is the NCBTMB exam Reference list, which contains information about what topics are covered on the exam and the percentage of each topic.
Another great tool is the MTAC, which provides an individual with a personalized breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses. This information is critical for the success of your career in massage therapy and will help you determine which areas to focus on before taking the NCETMB exam.
NCBTMB Approved Online Courses
NCBTMB’s mission is to promote professional growth and advance a national standard of massage therapy and bodywork. The organization advocates for lifelong learning, and requires massage therapists to complete 24 hours of CE classes every two years as part of their recertification process. This includes three hours of ethics, which can be taken online.
There are many different national organizations related to the massage industry and each has its own requirements for certification and state licensure. This can make it difficult to sort out the different requirements and determine what is best for your practice. This definitive guide will help you get a handle on everything.
New York Massage Therapists must be licensed by the state. To maintain your license, you must take continuing education courses approved by the NY Massage Therapy Board. Jumozy is an NCBTMB Approved Provider and NY massage therapists can use our courses to meet their license renewal requirements. It’s important to check with your state board before taking any online home study courses. Your state board may have updated their requirements.
NCBTMB License Lookup
The NCBTMB is a non-profit organization that defines, promotes and advances the highest standards in the massage therapy profession. Its primary role is to support the profession through advanced credentialing, such as Board Certification.
To earn the Board Certified Massage Therapist (BCTMB) credential, a practitioner must graduate from an approved massage school, meet education requirements and fulfill work experience hours, pass a standardized exam, and uphold the organization’s Code of Ethics. The BCTMB is the most respected and valuable credential within the massage therapy industry.
There are many tangible benefits to becoming a nationally board-certified therapist, including access to exclusive deals and discounts on products and services for the professional massage therapist. Many of these offers are available through the National Board’s affiliate programs with some of the massage industry’s leading providers. Additionally, a nationally board-certified massage therapist can often find employment opportunities more quickly than unlicensed peers. The National Board also provides a variety of educational resources for massage therapists and other health care professionals. This is especially useful for those who are considering a career change or looking to advance in the massage therapy field.
NCBTMB Practice Test Free
NCBTMB is a national exam offered by Pearson VUE to those seeking professional certification as a massage therapist or bodyworker. It is what we in the test preparation field call a “content-driven” exam. These types of tests look for evidence that you have learned the material and understand it. After completing the exam you will receive your pass/fail result and a certificate.
The problem with most NCBTMB study guides sold at Barnes and Noble and Amazon is that the authors don’t specialize in writing these specific guides. They write everything from SAT prep books to cookbooks and romance novels, and the NCBTMB exam changes often. So they don’t have a full-time staff to update their books.
This ‘Exam-Like’ NCBTMB Practice Test and FULL Answer Explanation Tutorial was developed specifically to help you pass the NCBTMB exam, and it works! Each week, this proprietary ‘test success system’ is updated to match the latest version of the NCBTMB exam. This allows you to get ‘eye-opening’ NCBTMB practice questions and FULL answer explanations that teach you the content of the exam 2-5 times faster than any other resource.
NCBTMB Study Guide
Achieving success on the NCBTMB exam is one of the most important steps in becoming a licensed massage therapist. It is also a way to let potential clients know that you are qualified to work on them.
The test is administered at a Pearson Vue testing center and uses the standard CBT (Computer Based Testing) format. It includes a computerized question and answer session with a timer. The test questions are multiple choice with four possible answers; only one is correct. The test also has a tutorial for the exam format and gives you an overview of what to expect on the day of your exam.
The test is content-driven, meaning it tests what you already know. Many study guides sold at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other book retailers are filled with filler material and fluff (that’s not on the exam). That paralyzes effective test preparation and wastes your time. You can do better. This ‘eye-opening,’ NCBTMB practice test and full answer explanations tutorial gives you the power to raise your score 2-5x faster.
NCBTMB Questions and Answers
NCBTMB offers board certification (BCTMB) for advanced practitioners demonstrating excellence, while MBLEX is entry-level licensing exam required for state licensure; NCBTMB is optional professional credential, MBLEX is mandatory licensing requirement.
Get NCBTMB certified by graduating from 500+ hour massage therapy program, passing board certification exam, submitting application with fees, completing background check, and agreeing to ethical standards.
NCBTMB code of ethics establishes professional conduct standards including client confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, competency maintenance, and ethical business practices for board certified practitioners.
Yes, you can renew NCBTMB online through member portal every 4 years by submitting application, paying $100 renewal fee, and documenting 48 continuing education hours.
Massage therapist salaries range from $28,000-$42,000 for entry-level, $42,000-$58,000 with experience, $55,000-$75,000 for specialty practitioners, and $65,000-$90,000+ for spa directors or practice owners.
BCTMB credential is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, the advanced professional certification demonstrating expertise in massage therapy through NCBTMB examination and continuing education requirements.
NCBTMB certification is valid for 4 years requiring renewal with 48 continuing education hours including ethics, hands-on techniques, and approved subject areas, plus $100 renewal fee.
NCBTMB member benefits include professional credential recognition, continuing education discounts, liability insurance options, career resources, online member portal access, and industry networking opportunities.
Take NCBTMB exam at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide with computer-based scheduling; candidates receive testing authorization after application approval and fee payment.
NCBTMB teacher training program provides education for massage therapy instructors covering curriculum development, teaching methodologies, assessment strategies, and professional standards for approved school faculty.