The organization that created a massage licensing exam recently endorsed by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) publicly acknowledged the AMTA in a press release issued Feb. 3.
Kevin Snedden, L.M.T., president of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), which developed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), was quoted in the statement as saying, “We appreciate the thoughtful deliberations and ultimate support of the AMTA resulting in endorsement of the MBLEx as the only exam for entry level licensing in the massage therapy profession. This is a monumental step towards portability of licensure in our field and for the evolution of our profession.”
On Jan. 26 MASSAGE Magazine reported on the AMTA’s statement of support for the MBLEx, which marks a turn away from the association’s support of the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork as a state licensing exam. On Jan. 27 Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, the other professional, national massage association, commended AMTA for its support of the MBLEx.
The FSMTB’s statement added: “The Federation continues to hope that the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) will recognize that the profession has evolved and that NCBTMB’s true purpose in the industry is with certification. We encourage NCBTMB to fully support the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, the regulatory process, and the benefits of a single licensing exam owned, operated and designed specifically to meet the needs of the regulatory community in their role of public protection.”