Credentialing and Certification offered through the Art Therapy Credential Board constitute recognition of current competence and adherence to the Code of Ethics, Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures in the practice of art therapy. All credentials conferred by the ATCB is an independent assessment of competency and a greater attestation of an individual’s ethical compliance and current skills than education or work experience alone. Earning and maintaining a credential is an indication that the individual meets the minimum professional experience, is in compliance with the ATCB’s ethical code and professional conduct standards set by ATCB.
The ultimate beneficiaries of the ATCB credentials and board certification are the consumers and the general public who can look to an ATCB credential and board certification for assurance that the individual holding these possesses the knowledge, skills, experience for quality practice in art therapy and are following the ethical code.
We confer and administer four professional credentials to art therapy practitioners. The credential year runs from July 1 through June 30. Before a new credential year begins, every ATCB credential holder attests they are in compliance with the ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
Art therapists may have three levels of credentials.
The first level is Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P), which means the therapist has a master’s degree, has met rigorous educational standards, and is practicing art therapy under an approved supervisor(s) and is in compliance with the ATCB’s ethical code and professional conduct standards set by ATCB. The ATR-P is not a required credential to apply for the ATR. The second level is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), which means the therapist has a master’s degree, has met rigorous educational standards, and, as an art therapist, has completed the required amount of supervision and clinical hours to meet ATCB registration standards and annually attests they comply with the ATCB’s ethical code and professional conduct standards set by ATCB. ATRs may then take a comprehensive national exam to become Board Certified (ATR-BC). ATR-BCs who have met rigorous standards for supervisory qualifications may obtain the Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor (ATCS) credential as an additional optional credential.
Please search our database of ATR-Ps, ATRs, ATR-BCs, and ATCSs to find an art therapist near you. If you are unable to find an art therapist in the listing, please contact the ATCB National Office directly atcbinfo@atcb.org. Credential holders, employers, verification agencies, and consumers may obtain free online verification of all ATCB credentials and certifications using the national registry found here.
Official verifications of credential status can be obtained by completing a verification request in MyATCB portals. Verifications are for credential status and examination scores only.