Uncategorized | Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.

Call for Subject Matter Experts: Item Writing and Reviewing

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 ATCBE examination. 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.

Reinstatement of Inactive Credentials Update

Feb 16, 2024 | Uncategorized

Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, all inactive credentials will have one year (July 1 – June 30) to complete the reinstatement process and restore the credential to active status.

Reinstatement Fee:
Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, the reinstatement fee is $250.

If a credential is not reinstated within one year of becoming inactive, the credential (and assigned credential number) will be permanently inactive. To comply with data privacy and protection regulations, the ATCB will not hold personally identifiable information in MyATCB portals for inactive credentials for longer than one year. Anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently inactive must reapply under the credential standards in effect at the time of application.

Reinstatement Policy

All reinstatement applications are valid for six months from the date of submission.
A credential may be reinstated a maximum of three times.

Retirement of Credentials Ending

Jan 30, 2024 | Uncategorized

Effective July 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM EST, the ATCB will discontinue the retirement of credentials. Credential holders who wish to use an ATCB credential to practice art therapy must maintain an active credential. This change aligns with NCCA accreditation requirements and supports ATCB’s mission to protect the public by ensuring competent and ethical practice in art therapy.

Impact on Current Credential Holders

Current “Annual Retired” and “Lifetime Retired” credential holders will be affected by this change.

Annual Retired credentials must be converted to Lifetime Retired or reinstated by June 30, 2024, at 11:59 AM EST. Requests must be made to the ATCB Executive Director, LeeAnn Mandrillo.
Lifetime Retired credentials can be reinstated no later than June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.

Credential holders who wish to reinstate must notify ATCB Executive Director, LeeAnn Mandrillo.

Renewal and Recertification

Once removed from retirement, the credential must be renewed under the standard renewal process. If the credential carries the ATR-BC distinction, recertification must also be completed according to standard procedures.

Final Deadline for Retired Credentials

Annual Retired credentials not reinstated by July 1, 2025, will become inactive.
Any credential retired after July 1, 2025, will remain permanently retired. Individuals wishing to practice art therapy with a retired credential will need to apply for a new credential under current ATCB standards.

What is Art Therapy?

Jul 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

“Each time I disclose my credentials, the ATCB enhances my credibility with clients.” – Abigail Bliss, ATR-BC

Art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork as a therapeutic and healing process.

Clients – young, old, and in-between – are able to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.

Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings – as well as in private practice, in workshops and small-group settings. Clients come from all walks of life, facing a full array of challenges. Individuals, couples, families, and groups can benefit from various art therapy formats.

Art therapy is an effective treatment for persons experiencing developmental, medical, educational, social or psychological impairment. A key goal in art therapy is to improve or restore the client’s functioning and his/her sense of personal well being.

Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process isn’t an art lesson – it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques.

A master’s degree is required for entry-level practice in art therapy. Minimum educational and professional standards are established by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA), a membership and advocacy organization.

Art therapy is growing and the professional, academic, and research foundation is expanding. The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) continues to invest in art therapy’s professional standards and ethics and is the only nationally recognized credentialing organization for art therapists in the United States.