Application, Credentials, Certification and Examination Appeals

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NOTICE:

In response to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ATCB allowed the Board of Appeals to consider appeals past the 30-day submission period. With the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, the final opportunity to submit an appeal for any credential or certification impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic was March 16, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EST.

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The purpose of credentialing and certification is to both protect the public and to guarantee that a person who holds the credential has met a minimum standard for professional and ethical standards. Credentialing and Board Certification offered through ATCB constitute recognition of current competence in art therapy practice.  Earning and maintaining an ATCB credential indicates that the individual meets the minimum education, professional experience, and ethical and professional conduct standards set by ATCB.

The ultimate beneficiaries of an ATCB certification program are the consumers and the general public who can look to an ATCB credential for assurance that the individual holding the credential possesses the knowledge, skills, and experience for quality practice in art therapy.

Art Therapy Credentials Board Appeals Process:

************If you need financial assistance or have questions about processes such as reinstatement, you do not need to submit an appeal-please contact the National Office atcbinfo@atcb.org***********

The ATCB Board of Appeals conducts the appeal process. The Appeals board is comprised of certified peer volunteers who understand the appeal. Board of Appeals members annually sign confidentiality agreements regarding conflicts of interest and impartiality.

The Board of Appeals convenes in the Spring and Fall annually. Once an appeal is received, the Executive Director places it on the docket of the next meeting. The Board of Appeals may request that the National Office obtain further information from the candidate before voting on the appeal.

Once the appeal is placed on the docket, the National Office will have no additional information or engagement unless instructed otherwise by the Board of Appeal. Once the appeal is considered and rendered by the Board of Appeals, the ATCB National Office will inform the appellant within five business days of the outcome in writing via the MyATCB portal.  All appeals decisions are final.

BEFORE submitting an appeal, the official policy of the ATCB must be reviewed. Only appeals that meet the policy will be considered. Please take a moment to review below.

Art Therapy Credentials Board Appeals Considerations:

These appeal procedures are the only way to resolve all ATCB applications, credentialing, certification, and, examination challenges. All challenges regarding the actions of the ATCB are governed by the procedures outlined below.

Applications:

All candidates must meet the credential standards and application requirements to be awarded an ATCB credential. Applicants may appeal the determination and request an eligibility review within 30 days of the denial notification. A formal appeal request, including information as to why the appeal is warranted, must be sent to appeals@atcb.org.
 If the appeal challenges credential standards or policy(ies), the Board of Appeals will:
1) table a decision regarding the appeal/challenge;
2) thoroughly review the appeal and policy(ies);
3)make a recommendation on the matter.

The Public Member will bring the recommendation to the ATCB Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will vote to accept or deny the recommendation. If
the Board of Directors does not accept the recommendation of the Board of Appeals, the appeal will not be granted.

Credential Maintenance:

The ATCB protects the public by promoting art therapy’s competent and ethical practice through credentialing art therapy professionals. The primary function of credential maintenance (annual renewals) is to complete and file the annual ethics attestation for each credential holder. By June 30th of each year, all credential holders must complete their annual ethics attestation and pay annual maintenance fees to maintain their credentials.

The credential year for the ATCB is July 1-June 30; credentials expire at 11:59 p.m. June 30. The opportunity to renew credentials for the next credential year begins on April 1 every year and ends on June 30. The ATCB does afford a 30-day grace period during July*. All credential holders receive email notifications and banner notifications in MYATCB portals.  Any credential without an updated ethical attestation will not be renewed credential becomes inactive.
*There is a $30 late fee for renewal during the July grace period. 

A formal request for the appeal of an inactive credential must meet the ATCB appeals policy. All appeals must include information as to why the appeal is warranted, and documents to support the request and be sent to appeals@atcb.org. All appeals must be received within 30 days of notification of credential inactive status. 

Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE):

Any candidate who fails to pass the ATCBE is entitled to an appeal. To appeal, the candidate must submit a formal appeal to appeals@atcb.org detailing the reasons for the appeal (providing all relevant documentation) within 30 days of receiving notice of examination results. Grievances concerning testing conditions shall be considered only if submitted to the ATCB in writing via exams@atcb.org within two business days of taking the ATCBE.

In accordance with best practices for the validity of the exam, test scores cannot be changed, but alternatives such as retesting may be allowed.
*Please refer to the ATCB policy and procedures for examination appeals before submitting an appeal. 

Board Certification Maintenance: 

ATCB board certifications (BC) are maintained through the recertification process. Through recertification, ATCB board-certified credentials holders demonstrate their continued competency and current qualifications in today’s changing and challenging environment. Maintenance of board certification requires an independent effort to meet the 5-year certification cycle requirements of 100 continuing education credits* or taking the Art Therapy Credential Board Examination and the annual maintenance of the ATR credential. Individuals who fail to meet these requirements will not have their certification recertified.
*Board-certified art therapists must review the recertification standards annually to ensure they acquire continuing education credits in content areas as required by the ATCB. 

Any board-certified art therapist who completed the annual renewal of their ATR but did not complete the five-year recertification of their BC shall maintain the ATR credential but can no longer carry the BC distinction. Any board-certified art therapist who did not complete their annual renewal of the ATR but did complete their five-year recertification will be inactive. The annual renewal of the ATR is required to hold board certification.  Any board-certified art therapist who did not complete the annual renewal of the ATR nor the recertification of the BC will need to reinstate their ATR and take the ATCBE to regain board certification.

A formal request to appeal for an inactive credential must follow the process outlined in credential maintenance.

A formal request for the appeal of an inactive certification status must meet the appeals policy and include information as to why the appeal is warranted and documents to support the request for reinstatement of the board certification. All appeals must be received within 30 days of notification of loss of board certification. All appeals must be emailed to appeals@atcb.org. 

Status and Name Change Appeals:

A candidate denied or revoked a status change such as Temporary Inactive or Retired, or a name change request may appeal the decision by submitting a formal appeal within thirty (30) days of receiving notice that the status change has been denied. A formal request for the appeal must be sent to appeals@atcb.org and include information as to why the appeal is warranted.

Outcomes of an Ethics Investigation or Disciplinary Panel Render: 

Should a decision of ethics investigation or the rendering of the Disciplinary Hearing Panel not be favorable to the applicant or credential holder, this decision may be appealed so long as it meets the appeals policy. A formal request for the appeal must be sent to appeals@atcb.org and include information as to why the appeal is warranted and documents to support the request.