News From the Chair

After serving on ACATE, EPAB, and the AATA and FATA boards, all of which included concurrent committee work inclusive of chairing the Honors, Multicultural, and Local Arrangements committees, I was honored three years ago to be asked to join the ATCB℠ board. Through these prior experiences, I developed an appreciation for the importance and need of these various entities which led me to once again be inspired to serve the profession we all hold dear, and for which I can truly say, has given so much more to my life than I feel I could ever pay back.

During these past three years serving on the board, I have been part of helping ATCB℠ move to a self-managed entity, hiring an exceptional Executive Director, and advancing its mission and vision through a strategic plan to strengthen the value of the credentialing and certification processes.  I am beyond excited to see what we can accomplish in the next 2 years during my term as chair.

As is often the case, when embarking on a new beginning, one has the tendency to look fully ahead as to the vast opportunities before them.  However, I would be remiss if I focused only on what is ahead without taking a moment of gratitude for how we all arrived at this point in the evolution of the Art Therapy Credentials Board.  Therefore, I want to thank Cheryl Doby-Copeland for her dedicated and tireless work over her term as president, and to all the board members that have served these past several years whose work has led to this period of growth and expansion.

Many of the changes that will be implemented this year and beyond are a direct response to the board’s request for stakeholder feedback.  This feedback from stakeholder surveys has been integrated into our current strategic plan shaping the present and future of the ATCB. I encourage each stakeholder to respond to future survey opportunities so that all voices can be heard.

One of the biggest changes to start off the year is the introduction of a revamped Content Management System (CMS) which will house both the public-facing website and a refined MYATCB that will be easier to navigate and easier to submit applications, correspondence, and continuing education credits.

We understand there has been frustration surrounding the timing of this release, and we appreciate your patience. Throughout this process, we remained focused on ensuring that the system is secure, stable, and more functional. Specifically, it will support applicant-entered supervision records with supervisor confirmation, simplifying submission requirements and reducing paperwork.  The system will also allow for digital badging to enhance user experience by offering timely, verifiable credentials that can be easily shared and validated by stakeholders. Additionally, it allows for a strengthened registry of credentialed art therapists, improving discoverability, data integrity, and stakeholder confidence.

To avoid delaying the launch, we prioritized releasing the core functions needed to apply, reinstate, and maintain credentials. These essential tools are fully operational and ready for use. Over the next several days, the system will continue to populate with previously entered Continuing Education (CE) records. Your records have not been lost. This process requires time to ensure accuracy and data integrity. More features and enhancements will be introduced over time as the system is fully implemented.

To help stakeholders acclimate to the new system, users can expect ongoing support resources, including webinars and video tutorials. Please visit the MyATCB℠ Transition Hub to learn more.

With the growth of our new Authorized Art Therapy Continuing Education (AATCE) Provider Program, ATCB℠ is helping to create greater pathways to engage in continuing education opportunities.  The AATCE serves to enhance equitable access to CE’s and to meet current standards for recertification.

The ATCB℠ and its varied workgroups have been proactively reviewing all stages of the credentialing and certification pathways.  All changes that have and/or will take effect are based on the mindset of raising the standards for increasing consumer safety and confidence in receiving services from those who meet the highest levels of professional and ethical practice.

One major enhancement to the standards addresses Reciprocity.  ATR℠ reciprocity makes it easier and faster for qualified art therapists to earn nationally recognized credentials.  If one holds a state license in art therapy, they may qualify directly for the Art Therapist Registered (ATR℠) credential—saving time and reducing duplication of requirements.

Art therapists who have passed the ATCB℠ exam within the last five years may also be eligible for Board Certification (ATR-BC).

ATCB℠ also recognizes the global nature of the profession. Individuals with an internationally equivalent art therapy credential may use the reciprocity process to obtain the ATR, supporting professional mobility and honoring high standards of training worldwideWhy this matters: Reciprocity acknowledges one’s existing education, training, and competence—allowing them to focus on practice, career growth, and serving clients, rather than repeating steps they’ve already completed.

We also recognize the pathway to becoming an art therapist may not be the same for all.  Many talented and committed master level mental health practitioners face financial, geographic, and life circumstances that make enrolling in another program unrealistic. We also know that there are many practitioners who claim to “do art therapy” without the proper education or ethical oversight. To address this, we are introducing the ATR-P Bridge Plan.  The ATR-P Bridge Plan is an educational pathway for licensed clinical mental health professionals who already hold a master’s degree in a mental health concentration (i.e. Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology) and need to complete specific art therapy coursework to meet education eligibility requirements for the ATR℠ credential by qualifying for the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P®) credential. If awarded the ATR-P®, the bridge plan will include supplemental direct client contact hours and of in excess the standard of ATR℠’s 1000/100 requirements.

Other Things to be on the lookout for in 2026:

We are excited to announce that we will be introducing ATCBE® Practice Exams and Study Guides for test preparation. Results from practice exams will help individuals better target areas for which they may need additional preparation before taking the board exam.

2026 will also bring the start of our Public Awareness Campaigns!  These campaigns are focused on helping the public, healthcare administrators, and other key audiences better understand art therapy and why credentials matter!

Finally, to achieve all that we set before us, we will have plenty of volunteer opportunities for stakeholders at all stages of their professional journey to get involved.  We encourage and invite your involvement!

I look forward to updating stakeholders on a quarterly basis and serving the Art Therapy community as we all strive for maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards for those we support.

Sincerely,

Craig A. Siegel, ATR-BC®, ATCS℠
Chair of the Art Therapy Credentials Board

We are actively working to bring the new MyATCB℠ system online as quickly as possible while ensuring it is implemented carefully and correctly. Our priority is to deliver a system that is stable, secure, and reliable from day one.

That said, the recent back-to-back winter storms have created some unavoidable challenges, including intermittent power outages, which have impacted the pace of this work. While these conditions have caused some delays, our team remains fully engaged and continues to make progress as conditions allow.

We appreciate your patience as we balance speed with diligence. We will continue to keep you informed and will share updates as we reach key milestones.

ATCB℠ is preparing to introduce a modernized MyATCB℠ credentialing management system as part of our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. This transition reflects our continued commitment to protecting the public through clear, reliable, and consistently applied credentialing standards.

In recent years, ATCB℠ has undertaken a comprehensive review of its credentialing processes and supporting technology. Through system assessments, technical evaluations, and routine stakeholder interactions, we identified several opportunities to strengthen the clarity, usability, and long-term stability of the tools that support credentialing. These insights confirmed the need for a system that is more intuitive, efficient, and adaptable to the evolving practice of art therapy.

The forthcoming MyATCB℠ system is designed to meet those needs. It will enhance the accuracy of credentialing workflows, improve transparency in required documentation, and provide a more dependable user experience for individuals and institutions engaging with ATCB.

Why the New System?

Over the past year, ATCB℠ conducted a detailed evaluation of its credentialing technology and related processes. This work included organizational assessments, technical reviews, and analysis of recurring questions and challenges presented through routine interactions with applicants, credential holders, supervisors, and institutions. The findings reinforced the need for a credentialing system that is more precise, efficient, and sustainable for long-term regulatory use.

Several priorities emerged as central to this modernization effort:

• Improving the clarity and structure of application and renewal workflows
• Strengthening support for documentation required across credential types
• Enhancing CE tracking and supervision record management
• Expanding system flexibility to align with evolving standards and emerging professional needs

The updated MyATCB℠ system is being designed to address these requirements directly. Its purpose is to provide a more reliable, accessible, and transparent platform that supports ATCB’s credentialing functions and ensures consistent application of standards across all pathways.

Important Dates and Access Changes

The transition to the new MyATCB℠ system will require several temporary access changes. The following dates are essential for anyone preparing an application, renewal, supervision submission, or CE documentation before the new system launches.

Now – December 31, 2025: Final Day to Apply Under 2025 Standards

Applicants who wish to be evaluated under the 2025 standards must submit their complete applications by December 31, 2025. This applies to:

• Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P®) applicants seeking review under the 2025 standards
• Registered Art Therapist (ATR℠) applicants submitting an ATR℠ upgrade under the 2025 standards

Applications must be submitted—not approved—by December 31 to qualify for review under the 2025 standards.

December 19, 2025 – January 5, 2026: ATCB℠ Office Closed

ATCB℠ will close at 5:00 p.m. ET on December 19 and will reopen on January 5, 2026. During this period, staff will not be responding to emails or contact form submissions except in critical circumstances.

Those with questions about application status or credential requirements are encouraged to contact ATCB℠ no later than December 15 to ensure adequate time for assistance before the office closure.

Office Closure FAQs

January 1 – Mid-January 2026: Full MyATCB℠ System Outage

Beginning January 1, the current MyATCB℠ system will be fully offline as we complete the transition to the new platform.
During this period:

• Users will not be able to log in or access any part of the system
• No applications, renewals, CE entries, or supervision updates can be submitted
• Previously uploaded records will be inaccessible until the new system is launched

ATCB℠ will share updates as the launch approaches.

We strongly recommend that credential holders check their email regularly and ensure a personal email address is listed as their primary contact, as institutional or workplace addresses may change.

Guidance for BC Recertification

As ATCB℠ transitions to the new MyATCB℠ system, all existing credential data will be migrated to the updated platform. While this process is designed to be as accurate and seamless as possible, any system transition carries the possibility of minor discrepancies.

To ensure uninterrupted documentation and renewal processing, Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠ (ATR-BC®) credential holders renewing in the current cycle are strongly encouraged to maintain their own complete records during this period. This includes:

• Retaining copies of all CE certificates and supporting documentation
• Keeping a personal record of CE totals and completion dates
• Saving PDF or screenshot confirmations of any entries or submissions made prior to December 31

Maintaining personal copies helps ensure that any data irregularities can be quickly verified and resolved once the new system is active. These steps support a smooth transition and protect the integrity of your renewal documentation.

2026 Standards Reminder

The 2026 Standards will take effect on January 1, 2026. These updates apply to a limited set of credential pathways and ensure continued alignment with current professional and regulatory expectations.

The 2026 Standards affect the following individuals:

• ATR-P® applicants whose academic transcripts are more than 10 years old
• ATR℠ applicants who intend to submit supervision hours in increments of fewer than 10 hours

All other credential requirements and pathways will remain unchanged for 2026.

The full 2026 standards were posted at beginning of the current credentialing year.

2026 Registration Standards for ATR-P®
2026 Registration Standards for ATR℠

ATCB’s transition to a modernized credentialing management system represents a significant advancement in supporting clear, consistent, and reliable credentialing processes across the profession. These improvements reflect ATCB’s dedication to public protection, ethical practice, and the long-term integrity of art therapy credentialing.

We appreciate the professionalism and preparation of all individuals engaging with ATCB℠ during this transition period. Your attention to key dates and documentation will help ensure a smooth migration to the new platform. ATCB℠ will continue to provide timely updates and guidance as the launch approaches.

Thank you for your continued commitment to safe and competent art therapy practice.