Education

 ARCB requires that your training include the following subject areas:

- Hand Anatomy and Biomechanics (A&M)

- Anatomy & Physiology - Body Systems (A&P)*

- Critical Thinking

- Hand Reflexes and Maps

- Professional Business Practices

- Theory and Scientific Study

- SOAP Notes and Documentation

- Practical Application 

The ARCB utilizes the American Standard Foot and Hand Reflexology Maps for exam purposes.

*Anatomy & Physiology coursework may be through a credible school instead of your reflexology instruction - for example, nursing school.

ARCB does not provide or require any specific educational or training program as a condition of certification. Applicants may obtain qualifying reflexology education from independent education providers that meet ARCB’s eligibility requirements. ARCB certification does not require membership in ARCB or any other professional association, nor does ARCB offer preferential eligibility, examination standards, or examination pricing based on association membership. Any study resources or applicant tools provided by ARCB are optional, are not education or training programs, and are not required as a condition of certification.

The ARCB does not endorse any one school. However, please ensure that your school of choice teaches the subject areas listed above in order to be eligible to apply to take the exam. No school/instructor has authorization from the ARCB to state that completing their course will qualify you to pass the ARCB examination.

Please refer to the National Council of Reflexology Educators. You may also check with your State Reflexology Organization/Association for schools in your state/area.

Hand Exam Application Process

1. Complete the Hand Application form;

2. Pay the Application Fee;

3. Submit a transcript of your reflexology training and instruction;

4. Successfully complete a background check; and

5. Successfully complete the ARCB SOAP Note.

SOAP Note Assessment

As part of the application process, you are required to complete one (1) ARCB SOAP Note Assessment before you are eligible to sit for the examination.

The SOAP Note Assessment will be emailed to you separately by ARCB and will include:

• A sample client background
• A completed front side of the SOAP Note
• A blank back side of the SOAP Note

Using the information provided, you will be responsible for completing the back side of the SOAP Note.

You will have 7 calendar days to complete and submit the ARCB SOAP Note Assessment.

If your initial submission does not meet the requirements of the assessment, you will be provided one opportunity to revise and resubmit your SOAP Note.

If your resubmission does not meet the assessment requirements, ARCB will provide information about NCRE educators who may offer education or instruction related to SOAP Note documentation. ARCB does not provide education, instruction, or training in the completion of SOAP Notes.

Click HERE to access ARCB SOAP Note forms, assessment requirements, and sample materials illustrating the format of the assessment.

Denial of Eligibility

A candidate that does not meet ARCB testing requirements will receive notification explaining in what way the applicant does not meet requirements. 

Nondiscrimination and Fairness

ARCB provides equal access to its certification program and does not discriminate in eligibility, application, examination, certification, or recertification on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, language, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law. ARCB is committed to fair and equitable certification and examination processes and complies with applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws and regulations. Reasonable testing accommodations are available to qualified candidates with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Exam Administration

The ARCB Hand Examination is administered through Prometric. Candidates may choose to take the examination in person at a Prometric test center or remotely through Prometric’s online proctoring service, when both testing options are available.

Prometric Test Center: Candidates who select in-person testing will schedule an appointment at an available Prometric test center. On exam day, candidates should arrive at the test center as instructed and follow Prometric’s check-in, identification, security, and testing procedures.

Remote Online Proctoring: Candidates who select remote testing may take the examination from an eligible location using Prometric’s remote online proctoring service. Before exam day, candidates should review the technical and testing-environment requirements, complete any required system checks, and follow Prometric’s remote check-in, identification, security, and proctoring procedures.

For detailed scheduling and testing procedures for both options, please refer to the Applicant Handbook and the applicable Prometric testing instructions after application approval.

An exam date must be scheduled within 12 months of the application date or the full fee will be forfeited.

Testing Process

The ARCB Certification Examination is a competency-based examination designed to assess whether candidates possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice reflexology safely and professionally. The examination evaluates competency across six domains relevant to professional reflexology practice, including anatomy and physiology, reflexology knowledge and application, professional standards and ethics, and critical thinking and decision-making.

The ARCB certification examination consists of 150 questions and is administered online through Prometric, an independent testing provider. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the examination. The examination is standardized and designed to assess competency rather than completion of a particular educational program or study curriculum.

Determination of Certification

ARCB determines certification based on the candidate's successful completion of the established eligibility requirements and achievement of the passing standard established for the certification examination. The passing standard reflects the level of competency required for ARCB certification.

ARCB does not award certification based on course completion, school attendance, recommendations, or other educational credentials. Certification is awarded based on demonstrated competency through a standardized, psychometrically developed examination process.

Withdrawal of Application

You may withdraw your application 30 calendar days or more prior to the scheduled exam date. A refund of the exam fee, minus the $150 non-refundable administration and background check fee, will be issued. (The background check fee rate is subject to change depending on jurisdiction.)

Cancelations and No-shows

Applicants must notify ARCB and Prometric with their reason for cancellation. 

Acceptable cancellation reasons may include medical emergencies, death in the family, natural disasters, or unforeseen events. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and ARCB reserves the right to request proof of event.

Cancellation of the scheduled exam does not add to an applicant’s 12 month window in which to test. 

If Prometric cancels an exam, the applicant may choose to have the full exam fee refunded or to keep it on account for the next exam date of choosing within 12 months. If the exam is not taken within the 12 month period, no refund will be available.​

No attendance on the day of the exam will be considered a "No-Show", no refund will be available and applicable reschedule fees will apply.

Rescheduling Fees

Cancellation:

30 days or more of scheduled exam date:   $0

29 – 6 days of scheduled exam date:            $150*

5 days or less of scheduled exam date:        $250*

No Show:     $500*

​​*acceptable cancellation shall be considered on a case by case basis. 

Results

Notification of exam status will arrive, via email, within 24 hours of completion of the exam. 

Exam Retake

Exam retakes will be available 90 days from the original exam date. The exam retake application and fee will be required prior to scheduling a retake date.