Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0870-01-.09 – Examination

(1) With the exception of applicants qualifying pursuant to rule 0870-01-.05(1)(n)1.(ii) or rule 0870-01-.06, all persons intending to apply for licensure must successfully complete one (1) of the competency examinations adopted by the Board pursuant to this Rule as a prerequisite to licensure. Such examinations must be completed prior to application for licensure. Evidence of successful completion must be submitted by the examining agency directly to the Board Administrative Office as part of the application process contained in rule 0870-01-.05.
(2) Competency Examination - The Board accepts successful completion, as determined by the examining agency, of any one (1) of the following examinations:
1. (a) The MBLEx and/or its successor examination. The exam application, any other required documents, and fees necessary to take the exam must be sent to the FSMTB, not to the Board.
2. (b) Any other Board-approved examination - Application for, proof of having successfully completed a massage, bodywork, and/or somatic therapy curriculum(s) as provided in subparagraph 0870-01-.05(1)(e), and fees necessary to take a Board-approved examination must be sent to such exam’s testing agency and not to the Board.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-18-105, 63-18-111, 63-18-112, and 63-18-116. Administrative History: Original rule filed April 17, 2003; effective July 1, 2003. Amendment filed March 24, 2006; effective June 7, 2006. Amendment filed June 16, 2006; effective August 30, 2006. Amendment filed May 10, 2007; effective July 24, 2007. Repeal and new rule filed April 9, 2012; effective July 8, 2012. The Government Operations Committee filed a stay of the rules on July 2, 2012; new effective date August 3, 2012. The Government Operations Committee filed a second stay on July 2, 2012; new effective date September 6, 2012. On August 20, 2012, the Massage Licensure Board withdrew its amendment to 0870-01-.08. Amendments filed May 19, 2017; effective August 17, 2017. Rule was previously numbered 0870-01-.08 but was renumbered 0870-01-.09 with the addition of a new rule 0870-01-.02 filed May 19, 2017; effective August 17, 2017. Amendments filed October 27, 2025; effective January 25, 2026.