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.
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.
Jun 28, 2023 | Latest News
Have your work seen by our 10,000 + readers and art therapists from around the world!
Don’t miss this opportunity to put your work out there and connect with a new audience to elevate your incredible talent!
All artwork submitted must be original works created by the contributing art therapist who either holds an ATCB credential or is an art therapy graduate student. No client artwork should be submitted.
For formatting purposes, photographic reproduction of the artwork must be square in format.
Medium: Artist’s choice
Dimensions: Square, any size (e.g., 4″x4″, 6″x6″)
File specification: JPG or PNG with a minimum of 650x650px
*Note: images may be modified for display purposes
Artists must submit artwork via email and according to the requirements listed above. Artists may submit more than one piece. Please include your name and ATCB credential or university program (if a student), a photograph of the artwork, the title of the piece, medium, and original dimensions.
By submitting your artwork, you are granting the ATCB permission to use your artwork in electronic and print media. Entry submission denotes acceptance of these terms. The ATCB will credit each artist for their work.
Please submit your images to the ATCB National Office at atcbinfo@atcb.org
Jun 28, 2023 | Latest News
Message from the President
Welcome, all credential holders, new and renewed! On behalf of the Board, I am proud to present the Summer 2023 Newsletter. This is an exciting newsletter to share, and I hope it helps inform of the changes underway at the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Inside you will find an update on the new examination provider and procedure(s), information on ways to connect with the ATCB, and opportunities to volunteer with the ATCB. We are committed to improving accessibility for credential holders to manage and maintain their credentials and upholding our mission to protect the public through the rigorous credentialing process.
Reminder: the ATCB credential and certification year ends June 30, 2023[X1] . The new credential year will begin on July 1, 2023. To complete your annual credential renewal, log into your MyATCB portal before June 30, 2023. Remember, renewal and recertification are separate processes with separate applications. If you are Board Certified, complete your renewal application as well as your five-year recertification application (if your five-year cycle ends on July 1, 2023).
For the past three years, the ATCB has been working to modernize operations and implement upgrades to ensure our board certification program complies with the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). As of April 1, 2023, the ATCB established a new national office under its own management. We have worked to minimize the impacts of this transition. We look forward to having dedicated ATCB staff, and we look forward to our partnership with Prometric, ATCB’s testing provider, which includes an expanded range of services and exam program enhancements. The content outline for the exam that will take effect in 2025 reflects the results of the most recent job analysis administered in 2022. The survey was completed by over 1,000 credentialed art therapists who provided data on current art therapy practice, including work behaviors and tasks, client populations, media/materials, diagnostic categories, ethical issues, and work settings. Thank you to all who participated in the job analysis!
The Board of Directors continues identifying structural areas of the ATCB requiring review. One area we are working on are the registration standards for the Registered Art Therapist credential (ATR). These standards were to undergo an audit in 2022. Because of the disruptive nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board opted to pause the audit of the registration standards. This work will resume with the new credential year beginning July 1, 2023. The Board has created an Ad Hoc committee of art therapists to help review the current registration standards and identify gaps and/or areas needing revision. While this review is being conducted, the ATCB will continue to allow 1:1 group supervision hours.
Finally, volunteers are the fuel that powers the Art Therapy Credential Board. The ATCB offers a variety of ways to get involved, from short-term volunteer projects to committee, panel, and board service. With every new volunteer, The ATCB grows more energized, more diverse and inclusive, and better equipped to reach our common goal to ensure the highest caliber of our practice and the oversight of credential holders’ competent and ethical practice of art therapy. To meet the needs of our credential holders, applicants, and examinees, I hope you will consider volunteering with the ATCB! Please contact LeeAnn Mandrillo, leeann@atcb if interested!
Sincerely,
Ruth Xilomen Rios, LMFT, ATR-BC, ATCS
President
ATCB New Home:
Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.
2941 Battleground Ave
PO Box 38726
Greensboro, NC 27438
Jun 9, 2023 | Latest News, News
The Art Therapy Credentials Board is excited to announce
and our new partnership with Prometric!
ATCB has partnered with Prometric to facilitate Board Certification and State Licensure Exams. With this transition in testing providers, Art Therapy Board Credentials Board Exams will be:
Accessible– Worldwide testing centers, an option for at-home testing, and accommodations to ensure equal access, taking the ATCBE is now more accessible than ever.
Secure – Testing centers are equipped with the technology and infrastructure to deliver online exams smoothly and without interruptions. Security measures are employed to ensure the integrity of the testing process.
Flexible – Applicants can choose the testing date, time, and location that works best for them. Additionally, candidates who need to test again no longer need to wait until their original 6-month testing window is over and can take the exam up to three times a year. Scrap paper and water are allowed during exams.
Timely – Results within an hour of exam completion.
Complete your board certification or ATCBE for state licensure application; additional information about the next steps in the scheduling process will be sent to you upon application approval.
If your exam scheduling or application was paused during this transition, someone from the National Office will contact you directly.
We appreciate your patience as we continue our upgrades to modernize and enhance operations to ensure the highest caliber of our practice and the oversight of credential holders’ competent and ethical practice of art therapy. And to meet better the needs of our credential holders, applicants, and examinees.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at atcbinfo@atcb.org or exams@atcb.org.
Dec 22, 2021 | Latest News
Dear Credential Holders,
In preparation for the anticipated changes in the NCCA accreditation standards and the upcoming job analysis, the Art Therapy Credentials Board of Directors has updated policies and practices. Below are changes that will affect those applying for ATR, ATR-P, ATCS, and all credential holders collecting continuing education credits to maintain their board certification (BC).
- The registration standards for the registered art therapist credential (ATR) will undergo assessment in 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, all ATR-P and ATR applications will undergo an education review for six months as part of this review process.
- The Art Therapy Credentials Board will be conducting a job analysis. Part of the process of creating a professional exam requires that a “job analysis” be performed by surveying currently practicing professionals about the knowledge and skills they use in real-world practice. According to psychometric best practices, the ATCB conducts a job analysis every five years. This study provides a basis for the ongoing revision of the ATCBE and ensures currency and relevance in the examination content. To learn more about the ATCBE, click here.
- All registered art therapists with board certification (ATR-BC) must include six continuing education credits in supervision to recertify. In addition, six continuing education credits in ethics continue to be required. As a significant number of ATR-BC’s report supervising individuals who seek the ATR, the Art Therapy Credentials Board ruled it necessary that all ATR-BC’s have the knowledge and skills to supervise competently. This affects all credential holders who will need to recertify by June 30, 2023, and after. Anyone recertifying in 2022 should refer to the standards in their MyATCB portal.
*Please note that additional changes may be likely when the updated NCCA standards are released. The Art Therapy Credentials Board will communicate further changes.
Also important reminders:
- If you have called and left a voicemail, please respond to this email with the information or the inquiry you left in your voicemail. Unfortunately, the National Office cannot reply to voice messages that have no identifiable information or are inaudible.
- REMINDER: For any potential ATCS applicant wishing to utilize the previous application standards, the grandfathering period will end on December 31, 2021. To use these standards, all interested applicants must submit their applications by December 31, 2021. Beginning January 2022, all ATCS applicants must apply under the current standards. Additional information about the ATCS can be found here.
Please be sure you regularly visit the Art Therapy Credentials Board website, credential handbooks, recertification standards, and MyATCB portal- including the credential files and the communications tab. The Art Therapy Credentials Board has minimized “e-blasts” for your electronic protection and does not send paper notices.
Application inquires: applications@atcb.org
Board inquiries: president@atcb.org
Ethics inquiries: ethics@atcb.org
Examination inquiries: exams@atcb.org
All other inquires can be sent to: atcbinfo@atcb.org
*The NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs were the first standards developed by the credentialing industry for professional certification programs. The NCCA Standards were developed to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public. They highlight the essential elements of a high-quality program.
Retrieved from: https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Accreditation/Earn-Accreditation/NCCA
