MBLEx Study Guide and Online Practice Exams
I understand the gravity of passing the MBLEx for people in your position.
You want to get your business going – like yesterday if possible.
I am also certain that this is the last time you want to take this test and you absolutely do not want to pay to take the test again.
So you have decided you are going to set aside some time to study and pass this exam. Now you need to find something to study.
I have been in your shoes. I took the NCETMB nearly twenty years ago to get my Iowa massage license. After I passed, I was so relieved to have my license in hand. I was so happy that I never had to take a licensing exam again!
So, why did I take the MBLEx so many years after I graduated? You!
Why I Took the MBLEx
As a continuing education provider, part of my job involves helping colleagues that are transferring their massage license to Florida.
For the people who needed to take a massage licensing exam, I am often asked, “which massage exam should I take,” and then, “what is a good resource for studying for the MBLEx?”
The MBLEx is often referred to as the preferred exam (since the NCETMB is no longer given), but I did not know for sure. Since I had never taken the MBLEx, I did not know what study material was good either.
I wanted to recommend this exam with some confidence. So, one day I decided that I was going to take the MBLEx.
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How To Get A Massage Establishment License in Florida
Updated: 06/02/2019
One of the most common things I hear from people after taking my 10 Hour Florida Massage Law and Rules Course is:
Now I have to get a massage establishment license too?
Most likely, yes.
A massage establishment license is required for any business (spa, chiropractor [see the new exception below], home business, etc) that offers massage therapy services.
Here are what the Law and Rules say on the subject:
480.046 F.S. Grounds for disciplinary action by the board…
(o) Practicing massage at a site, location, or place which is not duly licensed as a massage establishment, except that a massage therapist, as provided by rules adopted by the board, may provide massage services, excluding colonic irrigation, at the residence of a client, at the office of the client, at a sports event, at a convention, or at a trade show.
64B7 30.001 F.A.C.
(3) Offering massage therapy at a sports event, convention or trade show without obtaining the written approval of the owner or property manager of the site at which the sports event, convention or trade show is held.
In general, if a client comes to you, you need an establishment license. If you go to your client (i.e. a mobile business), you do not need an establishment license. Again, this is a generalization; exceptions do exist. [Read More…]
Massage License Reciprocity
You have your massage license, and now you are moving to another state.
How do you obtain a new massage license in the state where you will be residing?
Will their massage board accept your school, your hours, or the licensing exam you took?
What about “Reciprocity”?
Reciprocity is a mutual exchange of privileges. An example of this is that the Board of Massage in the state you are moving to recognizes the validity of your current license, or the educational requirements/training in the state where you currently reside. Reciprocity allows massage therapists to obtain a new license and practice without a lot of extra paperwork, delays, and hassle.
But, reciprocity in the massage field is a little complicated.
The massage field has talked about license portability and reciprocity for years. But as of right now, no two states have identical massage licensing regulations. Most massage therapists have to navigate the licensing process in a new state, which is not always clear or without extra costs.
So, here are some tips to help make your career move less complicated.
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Changes to Florida Massage Law and Rules (2012-2013)
If you are licensed in Florida, please take the time to read about a couple recent rule changes.
Two changes to note:
- A recent 2×2 photo required to be displayed with a massage license.
- HIV course is no longer required for renewal.
Even though I happily reside most of the year in Iowa, I also hold a Florida Massage License (Let me take the time to insert my license number – as required by Florida Law – MA66325).
Today I am going to tell you a little more about massage regulations in the Sunshine State.
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A Brilliant Idea for Massage Gift Cards and Certificates
Are they putting out Christmas trees in Target yet? If not, they will be soon. That means Christmas (i.e gift certificate season) will be here soon. It is time to prepare.
Here is a fantastic idea from the 31in31 challenge I had to share. Thank you to Ariana from MassageHacks for this idea. I wish I could take credit for it.
If you are looking for a inexpensive, convenient, professional-looking gift card (that can also be used for tons of other promotions), then here it is: Massage Gift Certificate Hack
I need to Pin this.
What is “The Big Idea” of Massage Therapy?
Every year, during the second weekend in August, my family loaded up the minivan (which replaced our awesome Caprice Classic). We drove 90 miles west to Davenport, Iowa, for Palmer College of Chiropractic’s annual homecoming celebration.
My dad attended continuing education classes with friends and colleagues. My mom and I went shopping for school clothes and supplies. Back at the hotel, I played with the offspring of other chiropractors. We ran around, swam in the pool, and pretended to give each other adjustments (that’s what the little kids of chiropractors do for fun).
On one of these trips I read a piece written by one of chiropractic’s early developers, BJ Palmer. At that time in my life I was thinking about becoming a chiropractor. “The Big Idea” was written in 1944, and is about chiropractic philosophy. I remember being very impressed and intrigued by this idea of BJ Palmer’s.
Today, I still love this piece, and its big idea. Maybe it just me, but I think there is a lot that massage therapists can take from it.
If you ever doubt the power and effects from ONE massage, or if you are unfamiliar with this piece, here it is in video form.
Bloggercising – 31 Blog Posts in 31 Days
One of the first things I do every morning is check my Facebook page to make sure the world is still in order, and my email for overnight orders and correspondence. I typically accomplish this task with a groggy two-and-a-half year old on one leg, and a wiggly five year old on the other. As we browse my Facebook news feed, they make me stop for things that would not normally catch my attention – like pictures of tiny, cute kittens (Thanks, Allissa).
It is from said tiny, cute kittens that I learned about Kelli Wise’s August challenge of 31 blog posts in 31 days. Many others have since accepted this epic August challenge. If you want to follow along and read some great blogs from knowledgeable people in massage field, here are a few colleagues that are a few days into the challenge.
Kelli Wise – Massage Therapy World
Allissa Haines – Writing A Blue Streak
Eric Brown – Bodywork Biz Blog
I will not be participating in this challenge. I seriously thought about it, but I am going to slow my pace down this month. Last month I completed a Copyblogger/Sonia Simone challenge. It was to release a minimal viable product in one week. It took me a month. Then, like I mentioned a few days ago, this product led me to the decision that it might be “fun” to take the MBLEx twelve years after I went to massage school. I completed that challenge on Wednesday.
I am looking forward to a little break, and to reading all of the other colleague posts!
My August challenge awaits me at the Iowa State Fair next week: A fried stick of butter on a stick. Challenge accepted.
Again, leave your link below if you are taking part in the challenge. If this challenge is not for you, sit down and come up with a less aggressive schedule for your business blog, Allissa has a suggestions for publications calendar posted today.
~Ivy