AMTA Business and Legal Practices 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is required in MOST US states before practicing massage therapy legally?
- A college degree in biology
- A state-issued massage therapy license (Correct answer)
- Membership in the AMTA
- Certification from a national board only
Correct answer: A state-issued massage therapy license
Most US states require massage therapists to hold a state-issued license, which typically involves completing an approved program and passing a licensing exam.
Question 2: The MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination) is administered by which organization?
- AMTA
- NCBTMB
- FSMTB (Correct answer)
- ABMP
Correct answer: FSMTB
The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is the most widely accepted licensing exam in the US.
Question 3: A massage therapist operating as an independent contractor is responsible for:
- Having taxes withheld by the spa or employer
- Paying self-employment taxes and managing their own business expenses (Correct answer)
- Following employee work schedules set by the business owner
- Receiving employee benefits such as paid vacation
Correct answer: Paying self-employment taxes and managing their own business expenses
Independent contractors are self-employed and are responsible for paying self-employment taxes, managing their own schedule, and covering business expenses.
Question 4: General liability insurance for massage therapists PRIMARILY protects against:
- Identity theft of client data
- Client injury or property damage claims resulting from your practice (Correct answer)
- Employee payroll disputes
- Failure to maintain continuing education
Correct answer: Client injury or property damage claims resulting from your practice
General liability insurance covers claims of bodily injury or property damage that occur as a result of your professional activities.
Question 5: Which of the following is a legal requirement for most massage therapy businesses regarding employee records?
- Publishing employee schedules online
- Maintaining accurate payroll and tax withholding records (Correct answer)
- Sharing employee performance reviews with clients
- Posting employee home addresses
Correct answer: Maintaining accurate payroll and tax withholding records
Employers are legally required to maintain accurate payroll records and properly withhold and report employee taxes under federal and state law.
Question 6: A cancellation policy should PRIMARILY be included in which document shared with clients?
- Insurance claim form
- Client intake and service agreement (Correct answer)
- Annual business tax return
- Employee handbook
Correct answer: Client intake and service agreement
The client intake and service agreement is the appropriate place to outline cancellation policies so clients understand and agree to them before treatment.
AMTA Business and Legal Practices 1
Which of the following is required in MOST US states before practicing massage therapy legally?