Q: Why is the ATCB requiring the ATR-P to become an ATR?
A: In 2017, the ATCB implemented the provisional ATR credential. The intent of this credential was twofold:
- To afford recently graduated master-level art therapy students a credential they may need for employment.
- To ensure anyone practicing art therapy and using those direct client contact hours as part of a Registered Art Therapist application was collecting these hours as a practicing ATCB credential holder following the Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures.
In 2018, the board decided to implement the ATR-P credential and opted to delay requiring the ATR-P for the ATR so they could collect additional data to assess if this requirement was needed. The board determined it was required. The board delayed making the ATR-P a mandatory requirement in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the May 11, 2023, expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the ATCB is fully implementing the ATR-P as intended.
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Q: I am not an ATR-P but collecting my required hours to become an ATR. How does this impact me?
A: If you are currently collecting supervision on direct client contact hours for the ATR and have NOT officially applied for the ATR credential, you must either:
- Apply for the ATR using the existing application by June 30, 2024, 11:59pm EST. The application will be valid for one year to allow you to submit the application requirements. The ATR application is located in the MyATCB portals. The application fee is $125.
Review the ATR application requirements here. - Apply to become an ATR-P; the ATR-P application is in the MyATCB portals. The application fee is $60.
The hours collected before becoming an ATR-P will be honored toward the ATR so long as either an ATR application or an ATR-P application is submitted by July 1, 2024.
Review the ATR-P application requirements here. Any hours collected after July 1, 2024 that is not done with an ATR-P credential or as part of an application submitted before the July 1, 2024 date will not be eligible.
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Q: I am not an ATR-P but collecting my required hours to become an ATR. How can I count group supervision?
A: The special committee reviewing credentialing standards reviews supervision requirements; group supervision best practices are among this work. The current allowable practice for group supervision is for group supervision to count as 1:1, meaning supervisees can count a full hour if the group is an hour long.
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Q: Once I become an ATR-P, what is expected of me?
A: The ATR-P is a credential and will require renewal annually. The purpose of the annual renewal is the yearly completion and filing of the ethics attestation before the start of each credential year. The yearly fee for an ATR-P renewal is $25.
Review the ATR-P credential requirements here.
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Q: How do I become an ATR once the application is unavailable?
A: On July 1, 2024, the ATR standard application will not be available. If you have not already applied to become an ATR using the standard application by July 1, 2024, you will need to become an ATR-P. Once you have met the requirements (direct client contact hours, supervision, and references), you will apply for the ATR using the ATR upgrade application located in your portal. DO NOT apply for the ATR upgrade until you have completed the requirements.
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Q: I am an ATR or ATR-BC. Does this impact me?
A: No, this is for new ATR applicants only, and the effective date for this change is July 1, 2024. There is a grace period for ATR applications submitted before July 1, 2024.
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Q: I am a supervisor; how does this change impact me?
A: As a supervisor, you are ethically bound to ensure your supervisee (s) have accurate information about the credentialing requirements of the ATCB. Supervisors should review credential requirements annually, ensure their supervisees (s) are aware of these changes, and follow the registration standards.