Jan 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
Item writing and reviewing are essential components of the exam development process that involves subject matter experts (SMEs) writing and reviewing test questions or items for future use on the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam). These items are crafted to ensure they accurately assess the knowledge and competencies relevant to the appropriate certification exam. Guided by ATCB’s Psychometrician and assessments team at Prometric, item writers will be tasked with authoring and reviewing test questions. SMEs will undergo specialized web-based training to learn how to write and review items for certification exams, ensuring the items developed are high quality and meet the standards required for high-stakes examinations. Becoming an item writer provides a platform to contribute to the field directly and is a gateway to further volunteer opportunities within ATCB. Participation as an item writer is recognized with continuing education credits that can be used towards Maintenance of the BC Certification.
Jul 26, 2024 | News
A major shift is underway for the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) as we transition from external management to self-management. Our Board of Directors and special committees are committed to building a new headquarters and enhancing ATCB’s operations. We are conducting an operational assessment and restructuring workflows to improve efficiency while controlling costs amid rising operational expenses.
We have developed specialized workflows and designated staff to manage specific elements of the Art Therapy Credentials Board.
Provisional Registration Program
The Provisional Registration Program oversees the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) credential, from applications to maintenance. The Credentialing Specialist-Provisional handles all education reviews, processes ATR-P applications, and assists credential holders with needs such as supervisor changes, credential verification requests, and reinstatement.
Applicants and ATR-P credential holders needing assistance can contact the ATCB.
Registration Program
The Registration Program manages the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential, from applications to maintenance. The Credentialing Specialist-Registration processes ATR applications and assists credential holders with credential verification, supervision hours, reinstatement, and board certification applications.
Applicants and ATR credential holders needing assistance can contact the ATCB.
Certification Program
The Certification Program oversees Board Certification (BC) for ATR credential holders. The Certification Director reviews and authorizes board certification applicants to take the exam with Prometric and generates official post-exam score reports. They also review recertification pre-review requests, conduct recertification audits, and assist Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) holders with credential verification and certification status inquiries. Additionally, the Certification Director manages the Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor Program.
The Certification Director also oversees the Exam Program, which applies only to state licensure exam applications.
Board Certification applicants and ATR-BC holders needing assistance can contact the ATCB via our Contact Form
Ethics Department
The Ethics Department oversees all aspects of the ATCB ethics process. Ethics Officers investigate self-reported ethics violations and third-party complaints. The Head Ethics Officer collaborates with the Board of Directors on updates and revisions to the Code of Ethics, Standards of Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures.
Credential holders with ethics inquiries should contact the ATCB via the contact form.
With these updates, the following ATCB email addresses are now discontinued:
- applications@atcb.org
- atcbinfo@atcb.org
Emails sent to these addresses will not be opened. Automated messages may still be sent from atcbinfo@atcb.org, but this mailbox will function as an outbound email only and will no longer receive incoming emails.
Jul 25, 2024 | Latest News, News
Dear Colleague,In 2023, the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) shifted from employing a management company for its operations and affairs to self-management. The Board of Directors and various special committees are diligently constructing new headquarters and refining operations. Simultaneously, they are undertaking the essential task of reviewing and updating the credentialing and board certification standards.
Some changes we have made:
- The initial change involved forming a partnership with Prometric for the examination program.
- Hired new staff
- Revamped workflows
- Introduced automation wherever feasible to enhance efficiency and preserve fee structures in the face of escalating operational costs.
ATCB is dedicated to continual improvement and elevating the professionalism of the art therapy field in the eyes of the public and state licensures to the level of other medical and mental health professionals. As a part of this process and the accreditation requirements, we will be implementing updates to the following:
- Art Therapy Board Examination
- Board Certification Requirements
- Continuing Education Provider Program
- Application Submissions
Transitioning from a management company to a self-sustaining organization has always been challenging. To that end, ATCB is currently conducting an organizational assessment to better prepare and focus on our mission to protect the public by endorsing art therapy’s competent and ethical practice through credentialing professionals in the field.
Feedback from credential holders is valuable as part of this assessment, and the Board of Directors will utilize this input in organizational restructuring efforts where feasible. We invite our credential holders to participate in a survey. All participants who complete the survey can win a $100 Amazon gift card through a random drawing.
Yours Sincerely,
Cheryl Doby Copeland, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT
President
Art Therapy Credentials Board
Jul 25, 2024 | Credential Updates, Exam News, News
Updated: July 2024
Board Examination Updates
Starting at 12:00am EST on January 1, 2025, an updated content outline for the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) will take effect. This new outline derives from the latest job analysis performed in 2022. The survey saw participation from over 1,000 licensed art therapists, offering a perspective on the present landscape of art therapy practice. It encompasses essential work behaviors, tasks, client demographics, utilized media/materials, diagnostic categories, ethical considerations, and work settings.
The examination will consist of 175 questions, completed in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
To preserve NCCA accreditation and guarantee a psychometrically sound examination, the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) will undertake a standard-setting process in February 2025. Consequently, examinations cannot be scheduled from the third week of February 2025 until the second week of March when this process is completed.
Invitation!
The ATCB invites 100 individuals to take the ATCB Exam at no cost in January 2025. If interested in this opportunity, please complete this form.
The Art Therapy Credentials Board seeks Subject Matter Experts to standardize the new examination content outline and contribute to its development. If interested in this opportunity, please complete this form.
Read more and access the new content outline.
Board Certification Updates
The recertification Standards are updated to align with the ATCB Exam content outline implemented on January 1, 2025. These updates include the following continuing education requirements:
- Fifty (50) continuing education credits, which are art therapy-specific
- Six (6) continuing education credits in ethics
- Six (6) continuing education credits in supervision
The ATCB will provide a one-year transition period for implementing the updated recertification guidelines. The new continuing education requirements will become mandatory for all Board Certified Registered Art Therapists (ATR-BC) with board certification periods ending on June 30, 2026, and after. The 2025 recertification standards will be released in the coming weeks.
Authorized Art Therapy Continuing Education (AATCE) Provider Program
The ATCB will officially sanction AATCE providers to offer Learning CE events to Registered Art Therapists with board certification (ATR-BC).
The AATCE program is pivotal in the ATCB’s dedication to excellence, as demonstrated by the mandate of 50 art therapy continuing education credits out of the 100 required for board certification renewal. Providers authorized by the ATCB to offer AATCE courses can issue Continuing Art Therapy Education (CATE) credits to ATR-BC holders for recertification. Ongoing education in art therapy is crucial to ensure that practices remain aligned with the latest evidence and best practices. Over the coming weeks, the ATCB will share additional information about the AATCE program. Stay tuned!
Application Submissions
The ATCB has transitioned to digital applications in 2021. Emailed application materials are no longer accepted. Transcripts must be dispatched using the digital platforms adopted by higher education institutions.*
* The ATCB will allow mailed transcripts for a few institutions due to institutional changes in these art therapy programs.
Application materials often contain personally identifiable information; emailing them can lead to data security breaches and privacy violations. Protecting applicant and credential holder data is of the utmost importance to the ATCB. Consult the ATCB website to understand the application submission procedure. Thoroughly examining and following the requirements will avoid application review delays!
Meet our Staff
In 2023, the ATCB shifted from employing a management company for its operations and affairs to self-management. The Board of Directors and various special committees are diligently constructing new headquarters and refining operations. We have hired new staff and revamped workflows. Please take a moment to review these workflow changes and meet our staff.
Jul 24, 2024 | Exam News
In 2025, the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) will introduce a new examination content outline based on the latest job analysis conducted in 2022. This update necessitates a standard-setting process to establish the exam’s cut score. To initiate this process, the ATCB requires 100 individuals to sit for the ATCB Exam in January 2025.
Those who agree to assist the ATCB by participating can take the exam at no cost.
Requirements:
The ATCB will coordinate with Prometric to arrange the examination schedule.
Participants will receive their official exam scores in mid to late March 2025.
If you are interested in taking the exam for free and can wait until March, please complete this form:
