Understanding ATCB℠ Credentials and Trademark Use
As the field of art therapy continues to grow, so does the importance of ensuring that professional credentials and certifications remain clearly defined and consistently understood—both within the field and by the public.
ATCB℠ is currently working to secure trademark protection for its credentials and certifications. This is a standard step for credentialing bodies and functions as a form of title protection for the credentials themselves—helping ensure that designations like ATR-BC® remain clearly connected to the education, supervised clinical experience, and professional standards required to earn them.
Credentialing bodies across mental health and related fields use formal protections to ensure their designations remain clearly defined and tied to established standards. For example, credentials such as BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst®) and CHES® (Certified Health Education Specialist) are protected designations that represent specific education, training, and professional requirements.
As the field expands, art therapy–related language is being used in a wider range of settings. In some cases, short online courses or non-clinical training programs may issue “certificates” and use similar terminology—without requiring the same level of training or clinical preparation as those who carry ATCB credentials and certifications.
You may notice the use of ® (registered trademark) and ℠ (service mark) alongside ATCB credentials and certifications. These designations signal that these are defined, protected credentials—not general or interchangeable titles—and help distinguish them from similar language that may not reflect the same standards.
For credential holders, this helps ensure that the designation you use continues to represent a consistent and recognized level of qualification—one that reflects specific education, supervised clinical experience, and professional standards.
Using credentials and certifications with the appropriate designations in public-facing materials—such as websites, professional profiles, and directories—helps reinforce that distinction and supports a clearer understanding of what they represent.
There is no additional cost associated with this effort, and it does not change your credential, certification, qualifications, or ability to practice. This work is focused on maintaining clarity, consistency, and recognition for the profession and the public it serves.
ATCB Credential Designations
Provisional Registered Art Therapist® (ATR-P®)
Registered Art Therapist® (ATR℠)
Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠ (ATR-BC®)
Art Therapy Certified Supervisor℠ (ATCS℠)
Frequently Asked Questions
ATCB℠ will continue to update this section as questions are received and additional guidance becomes available.
Understanding Trademark Protection
Why is ATCB pursuing trademark protection for its credentials now?
As the field of art therapy continues to grow, there has been an increase in the use and misuse of art therapy–related titles and credentials. Trademark protection is a standard step credentialing bodies take to ensure that their designations remain clearly defined, consistently used, and associated with verified education, supervised clinical experience, and ethical standards.
What is a trademark (or service mark) in simple terms?
A trademark (®) and a service mark (SM) are both forms of legal protection used to identify and distinguish professional credentials.
- ® (Registered Trademark) indicates that a credential has been officially registered and is fully protected.
- SM (Service Mark) indicates that a credential name is currently in the process of being registered and is being actively used and protected.
You may notice that
- ATR-BC® is a registered trademark
- The full designation, Board Certified Registered Art TherapistSM, is currently in the trademark process
Using these designations accurately helps ensure that credentials and certifications remain clearly identified and consistently understood across professional and public settings.
How does trademarking protect art therapy credentials?
Trademarking protects credentials by ensuring that only individuals who have met ATCB’s standards can use specific designations, such as ATR-BC®.
It functions as a form of title protection for the credential itself—helping prevent misuse, misrepresentation, or the use of similar language by individuals who have not met the same requirements.
This helps maintain clear, consistent standards within the profession and supports the public’s ability to identify qualified art therapy practitioners.
For credential holders, this means their designation remains clearly defined and consistently recognized across professional settings.
What problem is this addressing in the field?
There is increasing confusion between formally credentialed and board certified art therapists and individuals who have completed informal or non-clinical training programs but use similar language to describe their qualifications. Without clear distinctions, it becomes difficult for employers, clients, and the public to understand who has met established professional standards
How does this protect the public?
Trademark protection helps ensure that your credential and board certification remains clearly recognized as a mark of specific training, supervised clinical experience, and professional standards. It supports consistency in how credentials and board certifications are presented and helps differentiate credentialed professionals from those without equivalent qualifications.
What happens when ATCB becomes aware of misuse of an ATCB credential or certification?
Reports of potential misuse or misrepresentation of an ATCB credential, certification, or protected designation may be reviewed by ATCB. When appropriate, ATCB may contact the individual or organization to request correction or discontinuation of unauthorized use. ATCB may also take additional action, including issuing a cease-and-desist notice or pursuing other remedies available under applicable ATCB policies or law.
ATCB’s response will depend on the nature and circumstances of the reported use.
What This Means in Practice
What is the correct way to write my credential?
The full designation is: Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠ (ATR-BC®)
For most day-to-day use (email signatures, documentation, profiles), you may use: ATR-BC®
When do I need to use the full designation vs. the abbreviation?
Use the full designation in formal or first-reference contexts, such as websites, publications, or professional bios.
For ongoing or repeated use, the abbreviated form (ATR-BC®) is appropriate.
When should I include ® or SM?
Use ® with credentials that are registered (e.g., ATR-BC®).
Use ℠ with credential names that are in the trademark process (e.g., Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠).
Including these designations in public-facing materials (websites, profiles, directories) is recommended to ensure clear and consistent use.
Where should I update my credential (website, email signature, social, etc.)?
Update your credential in public-facing and professional materials, including:
- Websites
- Online profiles (e.g., directories, social media)
- Email signatures
These are the most visible places where credentials are seen and understood.
Do I need to update all of my materials immediately?
No. Digital platforms should be updated first.
Printed materials (business cards, brochures, etc.) can be updated over time as part of normal updates.
What if a platform doesn’t allow symbols?
If symbols are not supported, it is acceptable to use: ATR-BC
What if I forget or use it inconsistently?
Occasional inconsistencies are not uncommon, but making a good-faith effort to use your credential accurately—especially in public-facing materials—helps maintain clarity and recognition.
What if I see someone misusing an ATCB credential?
If you become aware of potential misuse or misrepresentation of an ATCB℠ credential, you may report it to ATCB℠ for review.
This helps support accurate use of credentials and reduces confusion in the field.
Who can I contact with questions?
If you have questions about credential usage or trademarking, please contact ATCB℠ through the Contact Form on the ATCB℠ website.
Credentials, Licensure, and Standards
How is trademark protection different from state licensure?
State licensure is granted by individual states and provides legal permission to practice a profession within that state.
Trademark protection is not tied to practice. It protects specific credentialed titles—such as ATR-BC®—by ensuring they are used accurately and only by those who have met ATCB’s standards.
Doesn’t my license already protect my title?
Licensure may regulate certain professional titles depending on the state, but it does not protect specific credential designations like ATR-BC®.
Trademark protection helps ensure that these credentials and certifications are used consistently and are not misrepresented, regardless of location.
Why is additional protection needed if standards already exist?
Standards define what a credential represents, but they do not prevent others from using similar language or misrepresenting their qualifications.
Trademark protection helps ensure that specific credentialed titles are used accurately and consistently, and that they remain clearly connected to the standards they represent.
This reduces confusion and supports a clearer understanding of who has met established professional requirements.
What This Means in Practice
What does trademark protection allow ATCB to do?
Trademark protection allows ATCB to ensure that its credentials are used accurately and consistently, and to take action against misuse or misrepresentation by individuals or organizations who have not met ATCB’s standards.
This helps maintain a clear connection between the credential and the standards it represents.
Who is ATCB trying to prevent from using these credentials?
Trademark protection is intended to prevent individuals or organizations who have not met ATCB’s standards from using its credentialed titles or similar language in a way that may be misleading.
Does this change anything about my credential or qualifications?
No. Trademark protection does not change your credential, your qualifications, or your scope of practice.
It helps ensure that the credential you have earned continues to be clearly defined and accurately represented.
Can I continue using an ATCB credential or certification designation if it is no longer active?
No. The ATR-BC® designation may be used only while you hold valid Board Certification and are authorized to use the designation. If your Board Certification expires, becomes inactive, is relinquished, suspended, revoked, or otherwise is no longer valid, you must discontinue representing yourself as ATR-BC® and remove the designation from professional and public-facing materials.
Why is ATCB asking credential holders to use ® and ℠ now?
As the field continues to grow, art therapy–related language and credentials are being used in a wider range of contexts, not all of which reflect the same standards or qualifications. This makes it more important to clearly define and distinguish recognized credentials.
The ® and ℠ designations signal that these are defined, protected credentials—not general or informal titles. Including them helps distinguish ATCB credentials from similar language that may be used by individuals who have not met the same standards of education, supervised clinical experience, and professional requirements.
Why does including ® and ℠ with my credential matter?
How credentials appear in public—such as on websites, profiles, and professional materials—helps establish what they mean and who is qualified to use them.
Including the ® and ℠ signals that these are specific, protected credentials tied to defined standards. As art therapy–related language is used in a wider range of settings, this helps distinguish ATCB credentials from similar or informal titles that may not reflect the same level of training or qualifications.
Do other professions do this?
Yes. Many established professions use trademark protection and consistent credential formatting to ensure their designations remain clearly defined and recognizable.
For example:
- The BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification
- The CHES® (Certified Health Education Specialist) credential
- The CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation
- The PMP® (Project Management Professional) credential
These designations use trademark symbols and consistent formatting to maintain clear, recognized standards across their fields.