Apr 2, 2024 | Latest News, News
MyATCB Portal Updates
The MyATCB portal for ATR credential holders who carry Board Certification has been updated.
The update:
The ATCB has split the ATR and BC into separate management portals.
The annual renewal application is located in the ATR portal.
The recertification application and CE tracker are located in the Board Certification portal.*
*Recertification applications are available only when the ATR with BC distinction five-year certification cycle is ending.
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Annual Renewal of Credentials
Notice!
The annual renewal period for the credential year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, begins on April 1, 2024.
The following credentials must undergo the renewal process to remain active:
Notifications and reminders are sent to the email listed in credential holder portals. Take a moment to check that MyATCB portals have the correct information.
Annual renewal applications open on April 1, 2024, and close on June 30. 2024 at 11:59pm EST.
There will be a thirty-day grace period during the month of July for those who did not complete renewal. Any credential renewed in July will have a $30 USD late fee in addition to the annual maintenance fee of $100 USD.
Any credential not renewed by July 31, 2024, will become inactive and require reinstatement.
Learn more about credential maintenance.
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Board Recertification
Notice!
For all Registered Art Therapists who carry Board Certification (ATR-BC) distinction with a board certification cycle of July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2024, recertification must be completed by July 1, 2024, to receive an additional five-year board certification cycle.
Board Recertification applications open on April 1, 2024, and close on June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. They are located in the board certification portal in the MyATCB portals.
CE trackers located in the Board Certification portal are not recertification applications.
First, the annual renewal of the ATR must be completed. Once the renewal is completed, the recertification application will become available in the Board Certification portal.
There is a thirty-day grace period during the month of July for those who did not complete recertification. Any recertification completed in July will incur a $30 USD late fee in addition to the $100 USD annual recertification fee.
If a five-year certification cycle ends and a recertification application is not submitted, the BC distinction will no longer be valid.
Learn more about board certification requirements.
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Reminder: Changes to ATR, Retirement, and Reinstatement.
Effective July 1, 2024, updates will take effect to:
- Registered Art Therapist Credential (ATR)
- Retiring credentials
- Reinstating inactive credentials
Important information about these changes is outlined on the ATCB website. Take a moment to review.
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Occupational Information Network (O*NET®)
The O*NET Data Collection Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is seeking the input of expert Art Therapists. As the nation’s most comprehensive source of occupational data, O*NET is a free resource for millions of job seekers, employers, veterans, educators, and students at www.onetonline.org.
Credential holders have the opportunity to participate in this important initiative, participation will help ensure that the complexities of art therapy are described accurately in the O*NET database for the American public.
O*NET Description of Art Therapists: Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients’ physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
O*NET considers an Occupation Expert if the following criteria are met:
- Have at least one year of professional experience working as an art therapist.
- Have a minimum of five years combined professional experience practicing, training, teaching, and/or supervising others who are art therapists.
- Are currently actively involved in art therapy and based in the United States.
How to Participate
If you meet these criteria and are interested in participating, please get in touch with Jessica Fairley at RTI International, the O*NET data collection contractor, at jfairley@onet.rti.org or 877-233-7348, ext. 172.
Process and Participation Incentive:
A random sample of experts responding to this request will be invited to complete a set of questionnaires. Experts selected and agreeing to participate will receive a $40.00 VISA gift code and an oak-framed Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor.
We encourage you to consider helping to keep information about the art therapy profession accurate and current for the benefit of the credentials and certification.
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Updating Changes to the ATCB
As outlined in the Code of Ethics, Standards, and Conduct (section 3.2. 2), an applicant, registrant, or certificant must provide written notification to the ATCB at the time of submission of an initial application and that within 60 days of the occurrence of:
Change in name, address, and telephone number.
Any other facts bearing on eligibility for credentials, including but not limited to:
- filing an indictment, charge, or complaint, not including traffic offenses, with any court, regulatory authority, professional association, credentialing body, or governmental or private payer of benefits.
- Any litigation involving allegations of professional negligence or misconduct and the final disposition of such charges, complaints, or cases, including but not limited to entry of a judgment, order of dismissal or deferred adjudication, conviction, plea of guilty, plea of nolo contendere, and imposition of disciplinary sanctions.
- Any credential holder whose contact information has changed must update this information in their MyATCB portal. All communications and reminders are sent to the email in MyATCB portals. The ATCB is not responsible for any impact on credential standing due to incorrect contact information.
Credential holders should not wait for annual renewal to report an ethics issue; this information must be submitted to ethics@atcb.org.
FAQs for ATCB portal processes can be found on the ATCB website.
Mar 29, 2024 | Credential Updates
***The above photo is an EXAMPLE of how the changes will be reflected in MyATCB portals. All ATR with BC distinction should refer to the expiration dates reflected in their specific portals ***
The ATCB has split the ATR and BC into separate management portals.
- All annual renewal applications are located in the ATR portal.
- All recertification applications and CE trackers are located in the Board Certification portal.*
*Recertification applications are available only when the ATR with BC distinction five-year certification cycle is ending.
FAQs and directions on completing renewals, recertification, and other MyATCB processes are here.
Feb 20, 2024 | Credential Updates, Exam News, Latest News, News
Changes to the ATR requirements
EFFECTIVE 12:00AM EST ON JULY 1, 2024. TO QUALIFY AS A NEW ATR, ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE AN ATR-P IN GOOD STANDING AND MEET THE REGISTRATION STANDARDS.
The ATCB will allow a grace period for all ATR applications submitted before July 1, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EST. All applications submitted before this date must be completed by June 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST.
A completed application meets the registration requirements and has the following items submitted and approved:
- Official Academic Transcript
- Verification of Post-Education Experience
- References (3)
After this deadline, any incomplete ATR applications will automatically be converted to ATR-P applications.
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Credential Retirement Ending
As of July 1, 2024, at 12:00am EST, the ATCB will end the retiring of credentials. Any credential holder wishing to use an ATCB credential to practice art therapy must have a credential that is not retired.
Current “Annual Retired” and “Lifetime Retired” credential holders will be affected by this change.
Any “Annual Retired” credential must be converted to “Lifetime Retired” or taken out of retirement no later than June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This request must be made to the ATCB Executive Director, LeeAnn Mandrillo, leeann@atcb.org, by June 30, 2024.
“Lifetime Retired” credentials can be taken out of retirement no later than June 30, 2025, at 11:59pm EST.
Credential holders seeking to end the retirement status of their credentials must alert ATCB Executive Director LeeAnn Mandrillo at leeann@atcb.org.
Once taken out of retirement, the credential must be renewed following the standard renewal process. If the credential carries board certification distinction (ATR-BC) and requires recertification, this, too, will need to be completed following the standard recertification process.
Any annually retired credential not taken out of retirement by 12:00am EST on July 1, 2024, will become inactive.
Any credential (and credential number) “lifetime retired” after 7/1/2025 will remain retired. As of 12:00am EST on July 1, 2025, anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently retired will need to apply for a new credential with a new credential number under current ATCB standards.
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Changes to the reinstatement of inactive credentials
Effective 12:00am EST on July 1, 2024, all inactive credentials have one year (July 1 to June 30) to use reinstatement to restore the credential to active.
Effective 12:00am EST on July 1, 2024, the reinstatement fee is $250.00.
If a credential is not reinstated within one year after becoming inactive, the credential (and assigned credential number) is permanently inactive.
Anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently inactive will need to reapply following the credential standards in place at the time of application.
All reinstatement applications are valid for six months from the date of submission.
Each credential can be reinstated up to three times.
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Updates
Appeals Policy
The appeals policy of the ATCB requires all appellants to provide written narratives and supporting documentation to the Board of Appeals via the appeals@atcb.org email within 30 days of receiving notice of inactive status, denial of credential, recertification application, or status change request.
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 May 11, 2023, expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the final opportunity to submit an appeal for any credential or certification impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic is March 16, 2024, by 11:59pm EST.
Appeals will be considered at the first quarterly meeting of 2024.
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Reminders
Verifications
The ATCB will send the following items to third parties, per request of a credential holder or exam candidate:
1. Exam scores;
2. Credential standing; and
3. Supervision hours.
An official verification request and a $25 fee are required. All verification requests must include the first and last name used on the original application submission or examination. Only official Verification requests completed and submitted via the MyATCB portal will be completed.
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ATCB Examination
The ATCB Examination Administration policy allows testing candidates:
- A six-month testing window in which to schedule the exam.
- Testing at an approved center or via remote proctoring.
- Up to three testing opportunities per calendar year. *
*A 90-day waiting period between exam administrations is required to maintain the exam rigor and integrity practices.
Anyone planning to take the exam for state licensure should not use the Board Certification application; use the State Licensure application in the MyATCB portal. Before applying for the exam, all state licensure candidates must have an authorization to test letter from the state board. This letter must be uploaded with the exam application.
The following states utilize the ATCBE for art therapy state licensure: Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York. The state licensure application is required for candidates taking the exam for these states.
All exam applications are non-refundable and non-transferable.
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Updating Changes to the ATCB
As outlined in the Code of Ethics, Standards, and Conduct (section 3.2. 2), an applicant, registrant, or certificant must provide written notification to the ATCB at the time of submission of an initial application and that within 60 days of the occurrence of:
- Change in name, address, and telephone number.
- Any other facts bearing on eligibility for credentials, including but not limited to:
– filing of an indictment, charge, or complaint, not including traffic offenses, with any court, regulatory authority, professional association, credentialing body, or governmental or private payer of benefits.
– any litigation involving allegations of professional negligence or misconduct and the final disposition of such charges, complaints, or cases, including but not limited to entry of a judgment, order of dismissal or deferred adjudication, conviction, plea of guilty, plea of nolo contendere, and imposition of disciplinary sanctions.
- Any credential holder whose contact information has changed must update it in their MyATCB portal. Essential communications and reminders are sent to the email in MyATCB portals. The ATCB is not responsible for any impact on credential standing due to incorrect contact information.
- Credential holders should not wait for annual renewal to report an ethics issue; this information must be submitted to ethics@atcb.org.
FAQs for ATCB portal processes can be found on the ATCB website.
Feb 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
Q: Why is the ATCB making changes to reinstatement?
A: The reinstatement process remains unchanged; what is changing is how long a credential can be inactive and qualify for reinstatement. The reinstatement fee is changing from $400 USD to $250 USD.
1. The mission of the Art Therapy Credentials Board is to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy through the credentialing of art therapy professionals. When an ethics attestation is not completed and filed for a credential before the start of the credential year (July 1), it will become inactive and delisted from the public registry. This ensures that anyone practicing art therapy with an ATCB credential abides by the Code of Ethics and Conduct and assures ATCB meets its charter of public protection. Earning and maintaining a credential indicates that the individual meets the minimum professional experience and complies with the ATCB’s ethical Code and professional conduct standards set by ATCB.
2. The ATCB is a non-profit; all fees cover operations costs. The Board of Directors, in accordance with their fiduciary responsibility, assesses operational expenses for every facet of ATCB programming. With the continued advancement of technologies and automation, along with the change in reinstatement eligibility, the ATCB can operate the reinstatement process with less expense and lower the fee.
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Q: I am not practicing art therapy or using my credentials. Am I required to keep them active?
A: Credentials conferred by the ATCB are an independent assessment of competency and a greater attestation of an individual’s ethical compliance and current skills than education or work experience alone. ATCB credentials are voluntary; thus, you can relinquish them anytime. As state licensure for art therapy continues to grow exponentially, we recommend you check with your state regulations regarding the practice of art therapy; some states require an ATCB credential.
The ATCB offers Temporary Inactive Status. A good-standing credential holder may request Temporary Inactive Status at any time, requiring board approval. Temporary Inactive Status is valid for five years. If a registered art therapist who carries board certifications (ATR-BC) misses the recertification cycle while on Temporary Inactive Status, the five-year certification cycle will reset to that of the year the recertification is completed. For example, if an ATR-BC on temporary inactive status returns to active in 2025, and their certification cycle ended when they were inactive, they will need to complete the recertification process in 2025 for the BC to be active. Before they can complete the recertification, they will need to complete the renewal of the ATR.
There is a one-time $25 fee to apply for temporary inactive status, and the application is located in MyATCB portals. When temporary inactive status is in effect, the annual renewal requirement is paused.
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Q: What is required for reinstatement?
A: The ATCB credential year runs from July 1 to June 30. All renewals must be completed via MYATCB to ensure an attestation of compliance with the ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures. If a credential is not renewed by June 30, 11:59pm EST, the ATCB allows a 30-day grace period, July 1 through July 31, to complete renewal; a late fee of $30 will be applied.
If by July 30, you do not complete the annual renewal, your credential will become inactive. Effective July 1, 2024, all inactive credentials have a one-year period to be reinstated.
To reinstate:
Complete the reinstatement application located in your MYATCB portal. With this application, you must include a letter from a current ATCB credential holder (ATR or ATR-BC) endorsing your return to active status. The letter requesting reinstatement must include a statement of attestation that you have studied the current ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures and will continue to abide by this Code.
Reinstatement follows the same ethics review as that of all ATCB applications. The reinstatement fee covers the cost of the ethics review, the relisting on the national registry, all administrative costs, and the annual renewal fee.
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Q: I am on Temporary Inactive Status. Do the changes to reinstatement impact me?
A: So long as you return to active status via the renewal process before your Temporary Inactive Status expires, these changes DO NOT impact you. However, if your Temporary Inactive Status expires and renewal is not completed, the credential will be inactive and require reinstatement to return to active status.
The expiration of Temporary Inactive Status can be found in your MyATCB portal.
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Q: I have been inactive for some time; how long do I have to reinstate?
A: Effective 12:00am EST on July 1, 2024, all inactive credentials have one year (July 1 to June 30) to utilize the reinstatement process to restore the credential to active. If you are inactive, you have until 11:50pm EST on June 30, 2025, to return to active status. As of 12:00am EST on July 1, 2025, you must reapply for a new credential if your credential is inactive.
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Q: I am a supervisor and did not realize my credential was inactive. Will any of the hours I supervised while inactive count for ATR applicants?
A: As a supervisor, you are ethically bound to ensure your credentials are active. The supervision hours will not count; any hours provided after becoming active can be submitted for an ATR application.
Feb 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
Q: Why is the ATCB ending retirement?
A: The ATCB allowed individuals to retire credentials but continue to practice with that retired credential in a volunteer capacity. To maintain compliance with the NCCA, which accredits the board certification program, credential holders who carry the BC must have an active ATR and current BC to use those credentials in any capacity; thus, a retired ATR-BC using the credential to provide volunteer service is not allowable. Reviewing this requirement and the practices of other certification organizations, the board determined that retirement status will end across the board to ensure competency and equity.
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Q: I have a retired ATR-BC *annual and want to continue practicing.
A: You must take your ATR with BC out of retirement. You will need to complete the renewal of the ATR, and if your board certification window passed while the credential was retired, you will need to recertify the BC. Renewal and recertification are separate processes with separate functions.
1. Renewal of the ATR is the completion and the filing of the ethics attestation. A new attestation must be completed and filed before the start of each credential year, which is July 1 to June 30.
2. Recertification of the BC. This requires the completion and documentation of 100 continuing education credits. The purpose of recertification is to ensure anyone carrying board certification is as competent as one who recently took and passed the certification exam (ATCBE). If you need to recertify, you must review the recertification standards, which are found here:
If you plan on taking a credential out of retirement, LeeAnn will help you. Contact her at leeann@atcb.org.
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Q: I have an ATR-BC *annual retirement but don’t have the required continuing education; what can I do?
A: While the ATCB ends retirement on July 1, 2024, we will allow 16 months for retired credential holders to gain the necessary continuing education. Reminder: any “Annual Retired” or” Lifetime Retired” credential can be taken out of retirement no later than June 30, 2025, at 11:59pm EST.
Review the recertification requirements here.
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Q: I am an ATR-BC and do not want to complete the recertification of my BC.
A: Board certification is a voluntary certification for the ATCB. If you no longer want that distinction but would like to remain a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), you only need to contact LeeAnn-leeann@atcb.org so she can help you take your credential out of retirement and complete the renewal process.
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Q: I am an annual retired credential holder and don’t plan on using an ATCB credential to practice art therapy; what are my options?
A: There are several things you can do:
1. Let the credential become inactive.
2. Convert the credential to Lifetime retired.
Please remember that any inactive credential requires reinstatement. Also, any credential (and credential number) “retired” after 12:00am EST on 7/1/2025 will remain retired. As of July 1, 2025, anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently retired will need to apply for a new credential with a new credential number under current ATCB standards.
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Q: I am an annual lifetime credential holder and don’t plan on using an ATCB credential to practice art therapy; what do I need to do?
A. Nothing; if your credential is Lifetime retired and you don’t want to end that status, it will remain Lifetime retired. Please remember that any inactive credential requires reinstatement. Also, any credential (and credential number) “retired” after 12:00am EST on 7/1/2025 will remain retired. As of July 1, 2025, anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently retired will need to apply for a new credential with a new credential number under current ATCB standards.
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Q. What is the fee to take my credential out of retirement?
A. There is no fee to end retirement status; LeeAnn will take care of this for you. But once out of retirement, the credential is treated just as every credential. It will require renewal annually, which is $100. The function of the annual renewal of your credential is to complete and file the mandatory yearly ethics attestation. As a non-profit, all fees cover the costs of maintaining the credentials, the national registry, ATCB operations, and the Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedure, including the Ethics Officers.
If you have any questions about the changes to retirement and how it impacts you, contact LeeAnn; she or someone from the ATCB will help you.
