Timeline History of FSMTB
National Alliance of State Massage Therapy Boards
Representatives from various state massage regulatory agencies meet to establish the National Alliance of State Massage Therapy Boards (NASMTB), with a mission of promoting uniformity in regulation, serving as a regulatory information source, addressing multi-state issues, and encouraging research. Based in Middlesex, NJ; meets twice a year. Massage Today April, 2001 (archive.org)
Started
David Frostad serves as NASMTB president through March 2001; Barbara Benson succeeds him in April 2001. NASMTB compiles state regulatory contact listings. The organization eventually becomes defunct.
Effort begins to reenergize the former “Alliance” of massage regulators.
Conversation Initiated
ABMP hosts a roundtable in Denver, initiated by President Bob Benson and VP Les Sweeney, with representatives from seven regulated states plus educators. Two objectives: whether to form a federation of state boards, and whether to develop a new entry-level exam.
The group unanimously agrees to move forward with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. An interim board of directors was chosen until a meeting of the broad base of massage therapy boards can be convened. Serving on the interim board are Arnold Askew (Alabama Board of Massage Therapy); Kathleen Egenes (New Mexico Massage Therapy Board); Patty Glenn (Oregon Board of Massage Therapists); Kathy Jensen (Iowa Massage Therapy Board); Michael Jordan (Oregon Board of Massage Therapists); Christine Kiely (New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapy); Daisy Millett (North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy); Dave Quiring (Florida Board of Massage Therapy); and Rick Rosen (Body Therapy Institute, NC). Rosen and Glenn were selected to fill the respective roles of interim Chair and interim Vice-Chair.
Massage Today on Archive.org
New Organization Established to Advance Massage Therapy Regulation
At a meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 20-21, 2005, representatives from 23 of the 34 state boards that currently regulate the practice of massage therapy came together to formally establish the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Bylaws Created (archive.org)
Massage Magazine article State boards band together Sept 2005 on archive.org
Questions about NCBTMB and the NCE
At its recent meeting, FSMTB also determined that one of the areas of greatest concern expressed by both state massage therapy boards and massage therapy schools is the examination program administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
By Cliff Korn, BS, LMT, NCTMB Massage Today
August, 2006, Vol. 06, Issue 08
FSMTB Concerned about NCE Exam
October 2005 — FSMTB’s legal counsel (Dale Atkinson) argues it may be unconstitutional for states to name the NCETMB in statute, as unlawful delegation of authority to a private entity. Mentioned in Massage Magazine.
At its recent meeting, FSMTB observed that one of the areas of greatest concern expressed by both state massage therapy boards and massage therapy schools is the examination program administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). This examination was first offered in 1992 as a part of a voluntary certification option for practitioners; however, it is currently being utilized by the most of the regulated states as a mandatory requirement for licensure.
From the state board perspective, the continued reliance on this exam program is being questioned for a number of reasons, including: 1) long-standing problems with delivery of basic services, such as exam registration and approval of continuing education providers; 2) the fact that state boards have had no direct input into the design and administration of this examination program, nor any role in the policy making process of NCBTMB; and 3) inconsistencies between the eligibility requirements set by NCB for this exam — and the specific curriculum standards upheld in each state where massage therapy is regulated. These are not only logistical problems; they may also present issues of legal exposure for the state boards.
“Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.” on archive.org
AMTA Concerned
AMTA Board issues a statement supporting the federation concept but urging it not to create a competing exam, warning it could divide the profession. FSMTB becomes a Reality Massage Today Article on archive.org
NCBTMB Objections
2006 — NCBTMB objects publicly to FSMTB’s exam plans; AMTA sides with NCBTMB, stating it supports one set of exams. Massage Today editor Cliff Korn frames the conflict as a “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.” on archive.org
National Exam Legal, Says AMTA
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has declared the National Certification Exam of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) legally defensible, after another organization questioned its constitutionality. Massage Magazine on archive.org
AMTA releases a legal opinion from Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw countering Atkinson’s memo, concluding state use of the NCETMB for licensure is legally defensible.
Massage Magazine on archive.org
First Annual Meeting and Conference at the Elms Resort, Excelsior Springs, MO.
First Job Task Analysis
Job Task Analysis Survey deployed online; 7,646 practitioners respond from every state and territory except American Samoa.
JTA Results
JTA results released from new Overland Park, KS headquarters (Debra Persinger now executive director). 84% of respondents support nationwide licensing; two-thirds oppose splitting the field into multiple licensure categories. Psychometrician Donna Surges Tatum concludes the profession is unified rather than fractured. (PDF on Archive.org)
MBLEx
MBLEx launched: 125 multiple-choice items, 13% devoted to ethics, $195 fee, year-round testing at 200+ sites. Selected as a model testing program by the Association of Test Publishers. (archive.org)
STATES EMBRACING NEW MASSAGE
AND BODYWORK LICENSING EXAMINATION
Eight states have adopted the MBLEx (AR, IA, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, WA); Kentucky joins FSMTB, bringing membership to 26 boards — more than two-thirds of the 38 regulating states. ABMP donates $10,000 to help recruit state board adoption. (archive.org)
FSMTB Elects New Leadership
(Overland Park, Kan. – October 28) – The 3rd Annual Meeting of the Federation of StateMassage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) was held in Seattle, Washington, with representatives from 26 state licensing boards and agencies, schools, and prominent national businesses and professional associations in attendance. Press Release on archive.org
FLORIDA LATEST STATE TO ADOPT MBLEx
Number of States Signed Doubles in Seven Months
Florida becomes the 16th state to adopt the MBLEx (effective August 1, exclusive May 1, 2009); FSMTB membership reaches 28 states. (archive.org)
First MBLEx Candidate Handbook published.
FSMTB Clarifies
Following executive turmoil at NCBTMB, FSMTB issues a “Response to Stakeholders,” declining to take over certification and asserting that licensure is the function of licensing boards, not certification bodies.
The FSMTB maintains the factually-based position that licensure is the function of the licensing boards – not the function of certification boards.
Third Annual Meeting
3rd Annual Meeting, Seattle, with 26 state boards represented. Kevin Snedden elected president, Kathy Jensen vice president, Susan Beam treasurer. Patty Glenn steps down after three years as president; Scott Miller (WA) joins the board, replacing founding director David Quiring.
AMTA abandons NCBTMB
AMTA reverses course and endorses the MBLEx as the preferred entry-level licensing exam, after nearly three years of failed efforts to get FSMTB and NCBTMB to agree on one exam; ABMP commends the move on Jan. 27. Source: AMTA Hands On, Spring 2009
New GR
Sally Hacking, MSN, RN — formerly AMTA’s national legislative consultant — appointed FSMTB Director of Government Relations. (archive.org)
FSMTB publicly thanks AMTA for endorsing the MBLEx, then adopted by 16 state boards.
4th Annual Meeting
Nashville, with 30 state boards represented. Dennis Beye (AZ) and Jane Johnson (GA) elected; Patty Glenn resigns from the board to focus on Oregon; Christine Kiely elected then resigns, replaced by Phyllis Salyers (TN). Snedden re-elected president. Press Release archive.org
MTBOK Task Force
Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Task Force launched under project manager Chip Hines, jointly stewarded by six organizations: AMTA, AMTA Council of Schools, ABMP, Massage Therapy Foundation, FSMTB, and NCBTMB. Foundational work — definition of massage therapy, scope of practice, terminology, entry-level competencies — begins July 2009. (archive.org)
New CE approval program
FSMTB announces a national continuing education approval program, inviting AFMTE to collaborate and AMTA and ABMP to provide learner input — at the request of it’s Member Boards. archive.org
Model Practice Act
Model Practice Act Task Force holds its inaugural meeting in Albany, NY, chaired by Jane Johnson (GA), with regulators from OR, NY, TX, FL, OH, NJ, and SC. archive.org
Second Coalition of Massage Associations
Second Leadership Summit in Chicago brings together seven organizations (AFMTE, AMTA, ABMP, COMTA, FSMTB, MTF, NCBTMB) to address portability, practice standards, entry-level education, CE, discipline, and certification. Entry-Level Analysis Project (ELAP) discussed; AFMTE presents the Teacher Education Standards Project. Follows an earlier St. Louis summit eight months prior; next summit set for December 5–6, 2012 in Denver. archive.org
FL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES 80 MORE MASSAGE THERAPY
SUSPENSION ORDERS
Governor Scott, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health
Dr. John Armstrong today issued 80 emergency suspension orders (ESOs) for massage therapists who obtained their licenses to practice through fraud. archive.org
Maintenance of Competence Proposal
FSMTB Announces Proposal for New Continued Competence Model.
(FSMTB) announced the launch of a project to develop a new national program to provide state regulatory agencies with a centralized quality assurance process for the renewal of State licensure or State certification.
As part of this process, the FSMTB convened a task force representing State regulatory boards and agencies, educators and massage therapists. archive.org
FSMTB publishes its Standardized Licensure Renewal
In response to the request from member boards, the FSMTB appointed a Task Force representing State regulators, educators and massage therapists to discuss the future of what is often
referred to as continuing education in the massage therapy profession. Recommendation: six hours annually, at least three in state-sponsored Ethics and Professional Practice, with the remainder exchangeable for professional development activities. archive.org
Fraud scheme stopped
FSMTB sues the Academy of Oriental Therapy (D.N.J.) over an alleged MBLEx item-harvesting scheme; the court had granted a seizure and impoundment order on October 28. MBLEx then used by at least 42 states. archive.org
Model Practice Act Update
45-day public comment period on the draft Model Practice Act, developed over three years, draws over 1,300 comments. archive.org
Litigation Update
AOT litigation settles with a consent permanent injunction; numerous MBLEx questions retired and replaced. archive.org
Landmark agreement
NCBTMB will exit licensure examinations entirely and focus on Board Certification, leaving the MBLEx as the profession’s sole licensing exam. NCBTMB stops accepting licensure exam applications November 1, 2014 and stops offering them February 1, 2015. archive.org
FSMTB and NCBTMB Clarify Agreement Purpose
FSMTB and NCBTMB issue a joint clarification of the agreement in response to legislative activity, confirming the Board Certification Exam is for certification only. archive.org
Board Changes
Toby Jusevitch steps down; Dr. Ed Bolden (TN) appointed. FSMTB now spans 38 states, D.C., and 2 territories. archive.org
Delegate Assembly creates the Human Trafficking Task Force.
Need Source.
NCBTMB and FSMTB Release Joint Statement Regarding CE Collaboration
NCBTMB and FSMTB announce a collaborative partnership on continuing education, ending FSMTB’s separate CE approval effort after five years of study. archive.org
Changes
Massage Education Policy takes effect, requiring MBLEx candidates’ education records to be submitted directly by an approved program. MBLEx results also shift to pass/fail only, eliminating numeric scaled scores. Changes to MBLEx Result Reporting.
FSMTB Massage Education Policy
Massage Education Policy FAQs
New JTA Survey
2017 Job Task Analysis Survey conducted; the JTA is administered every five to seven years (previously 2007 and 2012). archive.org
FSMTB Initiates Texas Litigation to
Protect Integrity of MBLEx
FSMTB files suit in the Southern District of Texas against Mendez Master Training Center, MMTC Texas, and affiliated individuals over a scheme to reproduce and sell MBLEx questions (announced October 23). MBLEx now used by at least 46 states and territories plus D.C. achive.org
12th Annual Meeting Election Results
12th Annual Meeting, Tampa, with 41 delegates. Ed Bolden elected president, Craig Knowles vice president, David Cox treasurer. archive.org
Human Trafficking Task Force Report released at the annual meeting
The product of nearly two years of work by a task force of state board volunteers created in 2015. FSMTB donates to Selah Freedom and International Justice Mission in lieu of conference mementos.
Press Release archive.org
Download Report
Objections to Human Trafficking Report
AMTA and ABMP issue a joint statement strongly objecting to the report, arguing it implies the profession is infested with trafficking, conflates trafficking with prostitution, ignores FBI and Homeland Security data, and falsely implies Coalition organizations endorsed its recommendations. abmp.com
MTJTA results
MBLEx content outline revised per the 2017 JTA, effective July 1, 2018 (ethics rises to 16%, guidelines for professional practice to 15%). archive.org
More results
2017 JTA findings on job satisfaction released: 98% of practitioners report liking being a massage therapist; 97% are happy they entered the profession. archive.org
FARB
Debra Persinger elected to the Executive Board of the FARB Governing Council. The Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB) is a not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 1974 to promote public protection and provide a forum for information exchange for associations of regulatory boards and their stakeholders with interests in professional regulation. The mission of FARB is to advance excellence in regulation of the professions in the interest of public protection. Press Release archive.org
13th Annual Meeting
,Salt Lake City, with 40 delegates. Charlene Russell elected president, Robin Alexander vice president, David Cox treasurer. Membership now 46 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Election results archive.org
THE WORK CONTINUES: FSMTB CONTINUES ITS PUSH TO ELIMINATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FROM THE MASSAGE PROFESSION
Following the high-profile Florida day spa case, FSMTB reaffirms its anti-trafficking advocacy. Press release archive.org
Test Fee Increase
Announcement that the MBLEx fee will rise from $195 to $265 effective April 1, 2020 — the first increase in 13 years. archive.org
FSMTB 2020 Election Results
15th annual election held online with 41 member boards voting. David Cox elected president, Victoria Drago vice president, Sandy Anderson treasurer. archive.org
FSMTB Initiates Litigation to Protect the Integrity of the MBLEx
FSMTB sues Footy Rooty Development (S.D. Tex.) over a YouTube channel publishing copyrighted MBLEx items. MBLEx results now used in 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and some cities in unregulated states. ABMP on archive.org
IMpact begins
The US Department of Defense (DoD) launched an initiative to support license portability for military families and mobile professionals. The DoD entered into an agreement with the Council of State Governments (CSG) to facilitate the grant application process and the creation of new occupational licensure compacts.
Aligning with long held goals, the FSMTB applied for the grant and was competitively selected to lead development of the massage therapy compact. The FSMTB provided regulatory expertise, stakeholder coordination, and policy guidance throughout the process. (www.massagecompact.org)
Human Trafficking Toolkit
Publication of A Toolkit for Identifying Human Trafficking and Fraud in Higher Education by Lorna Candler, J.D., and Debra Persinger.
20 Year Celebration
The FSMTB is Celebrating 20 Years in 2025!
Kora Cameron/28 July 2025. Press release
20 Year Celebration
The FSMTB is Celebrating 20 Years in 2025!
Kora Cameron/28 July 2025. Press release
