ATR-BC Board Certification
“It was an asset when I applied for a new job last year. The additional credentials conveyed greater professionalism.” -Amy Wysocki, ATR-BC
When providing supervision as an ATR-BC to prospective ATR applicants, please note the following:
- At least 50% of all ATR applicants supervision hours must be completed by an ATR-BC.
- When completing application materials for an ATR applicants use only the current forms provided by the ATCB-any application materials on outdated form will not be accepted.
To maintain your status as a Registered Art Therapist with Board Certification (ATR-BC), you must:
- Adhere to the ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures.
- Complete the annual renewal of your credential- the ATR
- Recertify every 5 years, either through accruing Continuing Education Credits or passing the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE).
The purpose of the ATR-BC recertification process is to ensure that you continue to meet the high standards exhibited by this certification. The five-year recertification requirement, an industry-standard time frame, ensures that ATR-BCs are current in maintaining the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate proficiency in the field, in order to protect the public.
To be recertified, you must complete the recertification application which must be completed on MyATCB verifying the accrual of 100 qualifying continuing education credits during the five-year certification cycle or re-take and pass the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE), which is updated annually. The ATCB no longer accepts handwritten CE tracker forms. All CE’s must be entered into the formal recertification application online tracker. This is to ensure we are meeting our accreditation requirements.
The ATCB recognizes a variety of CEC activities. These activities are clearly outlined in the recertification standards provided to all ATR-BCs. A minimum of six CECs must be earned in the area of ethics each cycle. Beginning in 2023 six CEC’s must be earned in the area of supervision each cycle.
Keeping documentation of earned CECs is essential for your recertification application. A random sample of 10% or more of all those due for recertification is audited each year. Acceptable documentation may be in the form of academic transcripts, certificates of attendance from recognized providers, or other proof as outlined in the recertification standards.
The completion of your annual renewal to maintain your credential- Registered Art Therapist (ATR) is required for board certification. Please note Board Certification is not a credential.
Your annual renewal notice will be sent to you in April of each year. Renewals are due by June 30. A late fee will be charged if your renewal is not completed by June 30.
If the Disciplinary & Litigation History section of the renewal process is not completed & submitted, your credential will become inactive. If your credential (ATR) has become inactive you must seek reinstatement. Once an ATR is reinstated, the BC will become active as long as your certification cycle is still active. If your ATR is inactive and the recertification cycle had ended, and the recertification process of your BC was not completed, reinstatement will only move the ATR to active status. The five-year recertification process must be completed for a BC to be active.
See the ATR-BC Handbook for details