About
ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) is America's leading professional association dedicated to massage therapists, bodyworkers, students, and educators. Founded to support careers in the massage and bodywork industry, ABMP provides comprehensive membership benefits including professional liability insurance, free continuing education (CE) courses, business tools, and exclusive member discounts. The ABMP Education Center hosts over 600 video-based CE courses available free to members, covering techniques, pathology, and professional development. The association also publishes the award-winning Massage & Bodywork Magazine and produces a weekly podcast addressing issues unique to the massage community. For students, ABMP offers the ABMP Exam Coach — widely regarded as the best MBLEx test prep available — along with student membership options designed to lay the groundwork for a professional career. Schools benefit from classroom-focused resources, school insurance, and instructor development programs. ABMP also provides practical tools like Five-Minute Muscles (a palpation and technique video library for 83 commonly addressed muscles), Pocket Pathology, free online scheduling software, and a career center. Beyond resources, ABMP actively engages in legislative advocacy to protect massage professionals at state and federal levels. Membership tiers include options for new graduates, practicing professionals, and ABMP Certified members who receive enhanced benefits. Whether you're launching your massage career or growing an established practice, ABMP offers the support, education, and protection massage professionals need.
Key Features
- Professional Liability Insurance: Comprehensive massage therapist, student, and school insurance options included with membership to protect professionals at every career stage.
- 600+ Free CE Courses: The ABMP Education Center provides members unlimited access to over 600 video-based continuing education courses covering techniques, anatomy, and professional skills.
- ABMP Exam Coach (MBLEx Test Prep): Industry-leading MBLEx exam preparation tool for massage therapy students, available as standalone or as part of school licensing packages.
- Five-Minute Muscles: A video library covering palpation, technique, origins, insertions, and actions for 83 muscles most commonly addressed by bodywork professionals.
- Legislative Advocacy & Resources: ABMP actively lobbies for massage professionals at state and federal levels and provides members with up-to-date regulatory news and advocacy tools.
Use Cases
- A licensed massage therapist joins ABMP to obtain professional liability insurance and access free continuing education to maintain state licensure.
- A massage therapy student uses ABMP Exam Coach to study for the MBLEx licensing exam and enrolls in ABMP Student membership to access resources before graduation.
- A massage school partners with ABMP to offer students exam prep tools, school insurance coverage, and instructor development resources.
- A newly graduated massage therapist signs up for ABMP's graduate membership to get discounted first-year pricing that includes insurance and scheduling software.
- A practicing bodyworker reads Massage & Bodywork Magazine and listens to The ABMP Podcast to stay current on industry trends, new techniques, and legislative changes.
Pros
- All-in-One Membership Value: Members get liability insurance, free CE, scheduling software, a magazine, and discounts all bundled into one membership — strong value for working therapists.
- Best-in-Class Exam Prep: ABMP Exam Coach is widely recognized as the top MBLEx preparation resource, helping students pass licensing exams with confidence.
- Active Professional Community: With a podcast, magazine, school forums, and CE socials, ABMP fosters an engaged community of massage and bodywork professionals.
Cons
- Primarily US-Focused: ABMP's insurance, licensing resources, and advocacy are geared toward US-based professionals, limiting its relevance for international massage therapists.
- CE Courses Require Membership for Free Access: Non-members must purchase individual course access rather than getting free unlimited CE, which reduces accessibility for those not yet committed to joining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ABMP membership and who is it for?
ABMP membership is designed for massage therapists, bodywork practitioners, students, educators, and massage schools in the US. It provides liability insurance, continuing education, business tools, and professional resources tailored to the massage industry.
Does ABMP provide liability insurance?
Yes. ABMP offers professional liability insurance for practicing massage therapists, as well as insurance options for massage students and massage schools, all included with or available through membership.
What is the ABMP Exam Coach?
ABMP Exam Coach is a test preparation platform for the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination). It is available to students and schools and is considered one of the most effective exam prep tools in the massage therapy field.
Are the CE courses really free for members?
Yes, ABMP members have free access to 600+ video-based continuing education courses in the ABMP Education Center. Non-members can purchase individual course access at a fee.
Does ABMP offer a payment plan for membership?
Yes. ABMP Certified members can take advantage of a $20/month payment option, making membership more accessible for practitioners who prefer to spread out the cost.
