Creative Arts Therapists

Certification or Licensing

Typically, the nationally recognized association or certification board specific to your field of choice offers registration and certification. For example, the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) offers registration and certification to art therapists, and the American Dance Therapy Association offers registration to dance therapists. Other organizations that provide certification include the American Music Therapy Association, International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy, and American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama.

In general, requirements for registration include completing an approved therapy program and having a certain amount of experience working with clients. Requirements for higher levels of registration or certification generally involve having additional work experience and passing a written exam.

For a specific example, consider the certification process for an art therapist: An art therapist may receive the designation registered art therapist (known as the "ART") from the ATCB after completing a graduate program (including art therapy core curriculum, supervised practicum, and internship experiences) and having some experience working with clients. The next level, then, is to become a board certified art therapist (ART-BC) by passing an examination. To retain certification status, therapists must complete a certain amount of continuing education.

Many registered creative arts therapists also hold additional licenses in other fields, such as social work, education, mental health, or marriage and family therapy. In some states, creative arts therapists need licensing depending on their place of work. For specific information on licensing in your field, you will need to check with your state's licensing board.