Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Exam Prep
Free practice questions

Free BCTMB Practice Questions

10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.

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The BCTMB exam has 140 questions and runs 2 hours 20 minutes.

These 10 free BCTMB questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Assessment, Care Planning, and Documentation 25% of exam

Question 1

In a SOAP note, which entry belongs in the Assessment section?

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Correct answer: A - Tissue tension decreased and cervical rotation improved

Question 2

A client reports that her right calf has been painful, swollen, and warm to the touch for three days, and asks the therapist to work out the tightness. The MOST appropriate action is to:

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Correct answer: A - Withhold massage to the leg and refer for evaluation

Question 3

A client has full passive shoulder abduction but can actively abduct only to 90 degrees. Resisted abduction reproduces her pain. These findings MOST suggest:

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Correct answer: C - Involvement of contractile tissue

Domain 2: Massage Techniques and Modalities 24% of exam

Question 4

An athlete requests massage 20 minutes before a competitive event. Which approach is MOST appropriate?

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Correct answer: B - Brisk, superficial techniques applied for a short duration

Question 5

When performing manual lymphatic drainage on a client's swollen forearm, the therapist should begin by treating the:

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Correct answer: B - Proximal arm and axillary region

Question 6

A therapist has a client gently contract the tight hamstrings against resistance for several seconds, then lengthens the muscle during the relaxation that follows. This technique relies on:

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Correct answer: A - Autogenic inhibition via the Golgi tendon organ

Domain 3: Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology 24% of exam

Question 7

A client sustains an injury at the C4 level of the spinal cord and experiences compromised breathing. This is MOST directly explained by involvement of the:

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Correct answer: C - Phrenic nerve

Question 8

A client's calf tightness is noticeably greater when the knee is extended than when it is flexed. This finding MOST implicates the:

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Correct answer: D - Gastrocnemius, which crosses the knee and ankle

Domain 4: Professional Practice 14% of exam

Question 9

A therapist's hands are visibly soiled with lubricant after a session. The MOST appropriate hand hygiene method is:

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Correct answer: B - Soap and water for at least 20 seconds

Domain 5: Law and Ethics 13% of exam

Question 10

According to NCBTMB Standards of Practice, client treatment records must be retained for a minimum of:

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Correct answer: C - Four years after the therapeutic relationship ends

That's 10 of 1,030

The full bank has 1,020 more BCTMB questions with explanations.

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