Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which massage technique is specifically indicated as a primary treatment approach for edema reduction? → Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
2. The origin of a muscle is: → The stationary attachment point
3. Which organ produces bile that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats? → Liver
4. A massage therapist working in a spa setting notices a coworker performing techniques outside their scope of practice. What should the therapist do? → Report the concern to a supervisor or the appropriate licensing board
5. A new client's intake form reveals they are currently taking anticoagulant medication. How should this information influence the therapist's treatment plan? → Avoid deep pressure techniques due to increased bruising risk
6. A client is standing and performs abduction of the hip by lifting their leg out to the side. This movement occurs primarily in which cardinal plane? → Frontal
7. A client requests that the massage therapist perform a technique outside their scope of practice. What should the therapist do? → Decline and refer the client to an appropriate practitioner
8. During a Swedish massage, effleurage strokes should generally be directed toward which area? → Toward the heart
9. Which type of joint allows for the greatest range of motion? → Ball-and-socket joint
10. A client reports numbness and tingling radiating down their left arm during the initial assessment. What is the most appropriate next step? → Refer the client for medical evaluation before proceeding
11. Which condition is classified as a local contraindication rather than an absolute contraindication for massage? → A small bruise on the forearm
12. A massage therapist discovers that a colleague is practicing while impaired by alcohol. What is the therapist's professional obligation? → Report the situation to the appropriate licensing board or regulatory authority
13. What effect does deep tissue massage have on muscle spindle activity? → It decreases muscle spindle firing, reducing muscle tone
14. How does massage affect respiratory function in clients with chronic obstructive conditions? → It can improve chest expansion and reduce accessory muscle tension
15. The lymphatic system's primary function related to massage is: → Removing waste and excess fluid from tissues
16. Which federal law requires massage therapists to maintain client health information confidentiality? → HIPAA
17. Which practice violates professional boundaries in the therapeutic relationship? → Accepting a gift card worth $200 from a regular client
18. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell? → Olfactory nerve (CN I)
19. Which physiological effect explains why massage can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)? → Increased local blood flow and lymphatic drainage reduce inflammatory metabolites
20. Which of the following conditions is considered an absolute contraindication for massage therapy due to the risk of dislodging a blood clot? → Thrombophlebitis
21. The _______ is the name for a muscle's stationary end. → Origin.
22. Which joint movement occurs at the radioulnar joint when turning a doorknob to open a door with the right hand clockwise? → Supination
23. What effect does the parasympathetic nervous system have on the body during a relaxation massage? → Decreases heart rate and promotes digestion
24. A massage therapist accepts expensive gifts from a client on multiple occasions. This practice is problematic because it: → Creates a power imbalance and blurs professional boundaries
25. Which massage technique involves applying sustained pressure to a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle to alleviate referred pain? → Trigger point therapy
26. Which biomechanical principle explains why wider stances provide greater stability during massage techniques? → Larger base of support lowers the center of gravity relative to the base
27. Which muscle is the primary hip flexor and is commonly addressed in clients who sit for prolonged periods? → Iliopsoas
28. Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and must be considered during abdominal massage? → Liver
29. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'scope of practice' for a licensed massage therapist? → The legally defined boundaries of what a massage therapist may and may not do
30. Which of the following is a systemic contraindication for massage, meaning no massage should be performed at all? → A fever of 101.5°F