NCBTMB Announces New Domains for Board Certification Exam
January 28, 2026
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) recently announced that there will be updates to the Board Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB). Beginning May 4, 2026, the exam will feature revised domains and structure, reflecting the latest insights from NCBTMB’s August 2025 Job Task Analysis (JTA) Report.
The JTA report, developed through extensive field surveys and focus groups, is essential in identifying the core knowledge and skills that massage therapists require for their practice. The updates to the BCETMB domains are intended to highlight the profession’s versatility and expertise, while providing a contemporary career roadmap for both current and aspiring massage therapists.
Updates to BCETMB After May 4, 2026
The Board Certification exam contains 140 questions and applicants have 140 minutes to complete the exam. Here are the new exam domains and weights that will go into effect on May 4, 2026:
- Assessment, Care Planning, and Documentation (25%)
- Massage Techniques and Modalities (24%)
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology (24%)
- Professional Practice (14%)
- Law and Ethics (13%)
Applicants who take the BCETMB prior to May 4, 2026, will use the current version of the exam.
What Is the BCETMB?
The BCETMB is the exam massage therapists can take to become NCB certified. The NCBTMB website includes practice questions, study guides, and a reference list to help prepare for this test. Becoming NCB certified showcases your commitment to high professional standards and helps elevate massage therapy. The NCB credential aligns the profession with other health care communities and integrates massage into health and wellness spheres.
Learn more about the benefits of becoming NCB certified
About NCBTMB
NCBTMB is a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the massage therapy profession through the establishment of the highest credentials and standards of excellence. In addition to the BCTMB®, NCBTMB offers the Approved Provider Program, the Massage Therapy Assessment for Certification (MTAC), and the Assigned Schools program.