Qualifications to Practice

Credentials

Individuals providing clinical service under the title of Music Therapist will hold the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential. On January 21, 2020 it became law that music therapists who practice music therapy in New Jersey are required to obtain a state license and use the title Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT). This is required in addition to the MT-BC credential; however as this is a new license the date for issuance has not yet been determined and music therapists may continue with the MT-BC only at the present time.

Education and Training Standards

National education and training standards for music therapists are established by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) which was formed in 1998 with the unification of two established organizations, the National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for Music Therapy founded in 1971. Schools offering music therapy degree programs must receive AMTA approval which involves monitoring the quality of those music therapy programs for adherence to established education and training standards. These standards include achieving entry-level competencies in music, clinical and music therapy foundations; and 1200 plus hours of supervised clinical training, including a supervised internship.

National Certification

A music therapist graduating from an AMTA approved program must also pass a national certification board examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CMBT). The CBMT is an independent organization which is accredited by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies. Qualified individuals who pass the CBMT examination earn the credential, music therapist - board certified or MT-BC.

Other Designations

As of January 1, 2020 any other designations such as RMT (Registered Music Therapist); CMT (Certified Music Therapist; and ACMT (Advanced Certified Music Therapist) are no longer accepted. All music therapists are required to complete the CBMT examination and use the MT-BC designation. Music therapists may have additional specialized training certificates designated in addition to the MT-BC.

New Jersey State Regulations

The State Board of Creative Arts and Activities Therapies is responsible for issuing the license for Professional Music Therapist. In order to qualify for this license a music therapist must have completed education and training including clinical hours as established by the American Music Therapy Association and have earned the MT-BC credential from the Certification Board of Music Therapists. In addition, the music therapist must keep the credential current by completing approved continuing education requirements as designated by the board.