On July 29, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced the release of the Massage Therapy Assessment for Certification (MTAC), available immediately. The MTAC was previously only available in beta form.
MTAC provides a personalized assessment of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the Board Certification Exam.
“Many therapists express an interest in Board Certification but may not be sure how to plan for it,” detailed Steve Kirin, Chief Executive Officer. “Whether you are a recent grad or seasoned therapist with years of experience, MTAC will identify where you are in your knowledge and skill set. With such individualized results, preparing for the Board Certification Exam becomes a lot easier — you will know exactly where to focus your efforts to be better prepared for the exam and, hopefully, achieve a positive outcome.”
MTAC provides an individual with a total percentage score, as well as a percentage score per category. Such a personalized breakdown empowers the individual to determine which areas to improve upon prior to attempting the Board Certification Exam. The assessment also reflects how well the individual has digested and maintained key information learned in core curriculum.
MTAC is composed of 120 multiple-choice questions and is graded in raw score format. The tool assesses various areas reflective of both the Board Certification Exam and core curriculum, including: Massage Modalities, Techniques and Manual Forces, Applied Science (Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology/Injury, and Pharmacology), Professional Communication, Professionalism and Ethics, Laws and Business Practices, Self Care, and Assessment.
MTAC is available to eligible candidates at all Prometric nationwide testing centers. The MTAC is only available in English.
Eligibility requirements for the MTAC are as follows:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Provide proof of current enrollment or graduation from an NCBTMB Assigned School
- Pass a criminal background check (performed by NCBTMB)
The cost of the MTAC is $135, which includes the exam and a background check. The background check is valid for two years, should an individual pursue Board Certification within that timeframe. If so, the candidate will not be required to pay for an additional background check at the time of application.
To register for MTAC, create an account or sign in at ncbtmb.org and click on “MTAC Application” from the Quick Links Menu. A shortcut to the application is available at ncbtmb.org/applications/massage-therapy-assessment-exam-for-certification-application.
For more information on MTAC, visit ncbtmb.org/mtac.
About NCBTMB
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private, nonprofit organization founded in 1992. The mission of NCBTMB is to define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and bodywork profession. In support of this mission, NCBTMB currently serves the profession through Board Certification, Specialty Certificates, an Approved Provider for Continuing Education Program, an Assigned School Code Program, and more. For more information, visit ncbtmb.org.