Senate Bill 168 presented in Arkansas proposes an unacceptable change to current state regulations, putting the integrity and standards of the massage therapy industry at risk. Licensed massage therapists, their patrons, and advocates for professional health services alike must unite to oppose this bill and protect the quality of licensed, therapeutic massage in the state. The bill suggests introducing a state test, which could lead to a decrease in the qualifications of massage therapists. According to studies by the American Massage Therapy Association, such changes could negatively impact job satisfaction, work conditions, and client safety in our industry (Source: American Massage Therapy Association). Please voice your opposition to Arkansas Senate Bill 168 by signing this petition. The American Massage Therapy Association, the Associated Bodywork & Massage Practitioners, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards are united in opposition. 

We can fight this. Keep educating your clients, business owners, friends, family, and legislators. And sign this petition! 

Below are the key reasons why the MBLEx is the best choice for Arkansas.

1. Combatting Human Trafficking and Fraud

A state-specific test could create a dangerous loophole, potentially allowing human traffickers and fraudulent massage schools to exploit it. The MBLEx, developed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), actively works with law enforcement to combat these threats, making it a much safer option than a new, state-run exam.

2. Legal and Financial Risks

A state-run test could be legally vulnerable, inviting costly lawsuits and challenges. Developing a fair and valid state test requires significant resources and rigorous testing standards. The state test outlined in SB168 lacks psychometric rigor. A state test would require millions in development, validation, and maintenance. Ongoing test security, compliance, and psychometric updates would be a continual financial drain on the state! 

3. Career Mobility for Massage Therapists

Currently, the MBLEx is accepted in 46 states, enabling Arkansas massage therapists to easily relocate and practice elsewhere should they desire or be required to. A state-specific test would isolate professionals, complicating their ability to work across state lines and limiting their career mobility.

4. Preserving High Professional Standards

The MBLEx ensures that massage therapists meet the minimum competency required for safe practice. The MBLEx is not an advanced credentialing exam, it assesses entry-level readiness of those sitting for the exam. A state-specific test could lower those standards due to political influence, putting both public safety and the reputation of the profession at risk. Who would write the questions? How would Arkansas ensure the writer's bias isn't in the content of the test?

5. Arkansas’ Role in the MBLEx

As a member of the FSMTB, Arkansas shares ownership of the MBLEx and helps shape the exam to ensure it meets Arkansas' regulatory standards and protects public safety. A state-specific test would duplicate efforts and create inconsistencies, undermining the national standards that currently guide licensure.

6. Testing Accommodations at No Cost

The FSMTB provides testing accommodations to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at no extra charge to the state or examinee. In 2024 alone, FSMTB supported 603 qualifying testing accommodations, a number that increases every year, reflecting a growing need among candidates. If Arkansas created its own test, it would bear the financial and administrative responsibility of providing similar accommodations—an additional burden on the state.

Protecting Arkansas' Massage Profession

The bottom line is that consumers deserve to know that only those competent enough to practice safely (as assessed by the MBLEx) are licensed in Arkansas. Arkansas boasts a pass rate higher than the national average for the MBLEx. The exam is decidedly not a barrier to entry, and an alternative exam is unnecessary. Licensees within the state are trying to hold ourselves to the higher standard found in the MBLEx.

The MBLEx is not just a licensing exam; it’s a vital tool that safeguards public health, ensures the competency of massage therapists, and prevents fraud. Replacing it with a state test would introduce unnecessary risks—both financially and professionally—for Arkansas. The MBLEx is a nationally recognized, legally defensible exam, and Arkansas should continue using it to ensure the highest standards for massage therapy.

By continuing to recognize the gold standard of the MBLEx, Arkansas will protect its residents, support licensed massage therapists, and continue to be a part of a larger, nationally recognized workforce. Rejecting a state-specific test is the right move for the future of the profession in Arkansas.