Apr 2, 2024 | Latest News, News
MyATCB Portal Updates
Updates for Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) Credential Holders
The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) has separated the ATR and BC into distinct management portals:
- The annual renewal application is now in the ATR portal.
- The recertification application and CE tracker are in the Board Certification portal.*
*Recertification applications are available only when the ATR-BC five-year certification cycle is ending.
Learn more
Annual Renewal of Credentials
Notice!
The annual renewal period for the credential year July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 begins on April 1, 2024.
The following credentials must be renewed to remain active:
- Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P)
- Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
- Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor (ATCS)
Notifications and reminders will be sent to the email listed in MyATCB portals. Please ensure your contact information is up to date.
Annual renewal applications open April 1, 2024 and close on June 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. A 30-day grace period in July allows late renewals, but a $30 late fee applies in addition to the $100 annual maintenance fee.
Credentials not renewed by July 31, 2024, will become inactive and require reinstatement.
Learn more about credential maintenance.
Board Recertification
Notice!
ATR-BC credential holders with a board certification cycle of July 1, 2019 – July 1, 2024 must complete recertification by July 1, 2024 to extend their certification for another five years.
Recertification applications are available in the Board Certification portal within MyATCB, opening April 1, 2024 and closing on June 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Important: CE trackers in the Board Certification portal are not recertification applications.
- Annual ATR renewal must be completed first.
- Once ATR renewal is completed, the recertification application becomes available.
A 30-day grace period in July allows late recertification, with a $30 late fee in addition to the $100 annual recertification fee.
Failure to recertify by the end of the certification cycle will invalidate the Board Certification (BC) distinction.
Learn more about board certification requirements.
Reminder: Changes to ATR, Retirement, and Reinstatement
Effective July 1, 2024, updates will apply to:
- Registered Art Therapist Credential (ATR)
- Retiring credentials
- Reinstating inactive credentials
Review the full details of these changes on the ATCB website.
Occupational Information Network (O*NET®)
The O*NET Data Collection Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is seeking input from expert Art Therapists. As a free resource for job seekers, employers, educators, and students, O*NET provides vital occupational data.
O*NET Description of Art Therapists: Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients’ physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
Who Qualifies as an O*NET Expert?
- At least one year of professional experience as an Art Therapist.
- A minimum of five years combined experience in practice, training, teaching, or supervising art therapists.
- Active engagement in the field and U.S.-based.
How to Participate
If you meet these criteria, contact Jessica Fairley at RTI International, the O*NET data collection contractor:
Participation Incentive
A randomly selected group of experts will be invited to complete questionnaires. Those who participate will receive:
- A $40 VISA gift code
- An oak-framed Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor
We encourage credential holders to contribute to ensuring accurate, up-to-date information about the art therapy profession.
Updating Changes to the ATCB
As stated in the Code of Ethics, Standards, and Conduct (Section 3.2.2), credential holders must notify the ATCB within 60 days of any of the following:
- Change in name, address, or phone number.
- Filing of an indictment, charge, or complaint (excluding traffic offenses) with any legal or regulatory authority.
- Any litigation involving allegations of professional negligence or misconduct, including final judgments, dismissals, deferred adjudications, convictions, guilty pleas, or disciplinary sanctions.
Important: Credential holders must update contact information in their MyATCB portal to ensure they receive important communications. The ATCB is not responsible for credential impacts due to incorrect contact information.
Ethics issues should be reported immediately to ethics@atcb.org rather than waiting for annual renewal.
View MyATCB portal FAQs on the ATCB website.
Feb 20, 2024 | Credential Updates, Exam News, Latest News, News
Changes to Registered Art Therapist (ATR) Requirements
Effective 12:00 AM EST on July 1, 2024, all new Registered Art Therapist (ATR) applicants must be ATR-P in good standing and meet the registration standards.
The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) will allow a grace period for all ATR applications submitted before July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST. These applications must be completed by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Application Requirements:
- Official Academic Transcript
- Verification of Post-Education Experience
- Three References
Incomplete ATR applications after this deadline will automatically convert to Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) applications.
Credential Retirement Ending
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, the ATCB will no longer offer credential retirement.
Key Updates:
- “Annual Retired” credentials must convert to “Lifetime Retired” or be reinstated by June 30, 2024.
- “Lifetime Retired” credentials can be reinstated no later than June 30, 2025.
- After July 1, 2025, permanently retired credentials will require a new application under current ATCB standards.
Changes to Reinstatement of Inactive Credentials
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, inactive credentials will have one year (July 1 – June 30) to be reinstated.
Reinstatement Policy:
- Reinstatement fee: $250
- Failure to reinstate within one year results in permanent inactive status.
- Each credential can be reinstated up to three times.
- All reinstatement applications remain valid for six months.
Appeals Policy
Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving notice of inactive status, credential denial, or certification changes.
Following the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, the final opportunity to appeal pandemic-related credential impacts is March 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.
Appeals will be reviewed at the first quarterly meeting of 2024.
Verifications
The ATCB provides official verification of:
- Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) Scores
- Credential Standing
- Supervision Hours
A $25 fee applies to verification requests. Requests must include the original name used on the application or examination and must be submitted via the MyATCB portal.
ATCB Examination
The Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCB Exam) Administration Policy provides candidates with:
- A six-month testing window.
- Testing at an approved center or via remote proctoring.
- Up to three testing attempts per calendar year*.
*A 90-day waiting period applies between exam attempts.
Candidates applying for state licensure should use the State Licensure application in the MyATCB portal and provide an authorization-to-test letter from the state board.
The ATCB Exam is required for licensure in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.
All exam applications are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Updating Changes to the ATCB
As per the Code of Ethics, Standards, and Conduct (Section 3.2.2), credential holders must notify the ATCB within 60 days of:
- Changes to name, address, or phone number.
- Filing of an indictment, charge, or complaint (excluding traffic offenses).
- Litigation involving allegations of professional negligence or misconduct.
Important: Contact details must be updated in the MyATCB portal. The ATCB is not responsible for credential impacts due to outdated information.
Ethics issues should be reported immediately by completing the Statement of Conduct Compliance Form.
Jan 30, 2024 | Credential Updates, News
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) will discontinue the current Registered Art Therapist (ATR) application process.
As of July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, individuals must first obtain Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) status to become an ATR. This change applies only to new Registered Art Therapist (ATR) applicants and does not impact current ATR credential holders.
The ATCB will allow a grandfathering period for all Registered Art Therapist (ATR) applications submitted before July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST:
- If an applicant is collecting supervision hours and does not hold an Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) credential, they must submit an ATR application before July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST for those hours to be accepted.
- Alternatively, individuals may apply for Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) status instead.
- The ATCB will accept supervision hours from the date of application submission.
Application Requirements
A completed application must meet the Registration Standards and include:
- Official Academic Transcript
- Verification of Post-Education Experience
- Three Professional References
Any Registered Art Therapist (ATR) application not completed by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST, will automatically convert to an Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) application.
Annual Credential Assessment
The ATCB reviews credential and certification programs annually. Any further changes resulting from this assessment will be communicated promptly.
Need Assistance?
Please review the FAQs for more details. For further clarification about Registered Art Therapist (ATR) requirements, contact the ATCB.
