ATCBE® Policies and Procedures
The Art Therapy Credentials Board Exam® (ATCBE®) is a nationally recognized, high-stakes examination used for Board Certification and, in certain states, for professional licensure.
This page outlines eligibility requirements, how to apply, what to expect on exam day, and important policies governing scheduling, retakes, and results.
Who Qualifies To Take the ATCBE®?
The ATCBE® is used for two primary purposes:
- Board Certification (ATR-BC®)
- State Licensure (in jurisdictions where the exam is required)
Eligibility requirements vary by pathway.
For Board CertificationTo obtain Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠ (ATR-BC®) Certification
To take the ATCBE® for Board Certification, candidates must:
- Hold the Registered Art Therapist® (ATR℠) credential in good standing.
- Apply for Board Certification through the MyATCB℠ portal.
- Receive approval from ATCB℠ before scheduling the exam.
Approval to sit for the examination is required prior to scheduling with the testing provider.
For State Licensure
In some states, a passing score on the ATCBE® is a condition for licensure. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Before applying:
- Confirm exam requirements directly with your state licensing board.
- Obtain any required state authorization (some states require a formal letter or email of authorization before applying).
- Apply for the ATCBE® through the MyATCB℠ portal.
State Licensure Candidates: Authorization Required
ATCB℠ cannot approve an exam application for licensure candidates without state authorization. Candidates are responsible for verifying state-specific requirements. State licensure candidates should review Taking the ATCBE® for State Licensure for fees and application information.
Before You Apply
Identification and Name-Matching Requirement
Before applying to register for the exam, confirm that the name in your MyATCB account exactly matches the name on the current, government-issued identification you will present on exam day.
Prometric requires the name on your examination registration to match your identification. Candidates whose names do not match will not be admitted to the examination.
If you are not admitted because the name on your registration does not match your identification, you will be required to submit a new ATCBE® registration application and pay the examination fee before scheduling another appointment.
Do not schedule your examination until any necessary name corrections have been completed in MyATCB.
Special Exam Accommodations
Request Accommodations When You Apply
Accommodation requests must be reported and requested during the submission of your ATCBE® registration application. Accommodations cannot be added after you submit your exam registration application or schedule your examination.
All accommodation requests must be approved by ATCB℠ prior to scheduling. Some accommodations may require testing at a Prometric Testing Center and may require additional processing time.
Examples of accommodations that may be requested include:
- Additional testing time (time and a half)
- Additional or flexible breaks
- A separate testing room
- Assistive technology, such as screen-reading or magnification software
- Special equipment or software needs
- English as a Second Language (ESL) accommodations (this accommodation requires a fee)
State Licensure Candidates Need Accommodation Approval From Licensure Board
State licensure candidates: You must obtain accommodation approval from your state licensing board and report the approved accommodations with your exam application. ATCB℠ cannot provide accommodations without permission from your state licensing board.
How to Apply for the ATCBE®
All candidates apply through the MyATCB℠ portal.
If you do not have a MyATCB℠ account, you must create one before submitting an exam application. For assistance, visit the MyATCB℠ Transition Hub for tutorials and login support.
Once your application is submitted:
- ATCB℠ will review your application and supporting materials.
- If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive an approval notice via email.
- Your approval notice will include instructions for scheduling your exam.
All Candidates: Approval Email Required Before Scheduling
Submitting an application does not mean you are approved to schedule your exam. You must first receive your approval email from ATCB℠ and your Eligibility ID before scheduling with Prometric.
Scheduling Your Exam
After approval, candidates schedule directly with Prometric, the official testing provider for the ATCBE®.
Testing Window
Approved candidates have a 12-month testing window from the approval date to complete the examination.
State Licensure Candidates: Your Board’s Testing Deadline
State licensure candidates: ATCBE® candidates registering for the exam for state licensure must ensure they complete the exam within the timeline granted by their licensure board.
If you do not complete the exam within the testing window, you will need to submit a new registration application and fee.
Exam Delivery Options
Two delivery options are available:
- Prometric Testing Center – In-person examination at an approved testing facility. Review Prometric’s Test Center Exam Process and What to Expect on Test Day.
- Remotely Proctored Examination – Taken from an internet-enabled location that meets remote proctoring requirements. Review Prometric’s ProProctor Candidate Information and Remote Testing Process.
Scheduling is completed through the Prometric website or by contacting a Prometric representative.
Technology and System Requirements
Candidates selecting remote proctoring must meet Prometric’s current ProProctor™ technology, system, testing-environment, identification, and security requirements.
Because Prometric’s technical requirements may change, candidates must review the current Prometric Remote Exam Experience, complete the Prometric System Check, and review the ProProctor™ User Guide before selecting and taking the remote examination.
Remote Proctoring Requirements
Candidates selecting the remotely proctored option must meet the following system requirements:
- Personal computer (not employer-owned)
- Camera and microphone
- Stable internet connection
- Installation of Prometric’s ProProctor™ application
- Successful completion of a system compatibility check
- Device plugged directly into a power source (not a docking station)
- Minimum screen resolution: 1024 × 768
- Operating System: Windows 8.1 or higher | macOS 12.0 or higher (with some macOS 13 versions excluded)
- Minimum internet speeds: 1.0 Mbps download / 0.5 Mbps upload (wired connection recommended)
- Latest version of Google Chrome
Remote Proctoring: Remain Within the Camera’s View
Remote proctoring requirement:
Candidates must remain within the camera’s view for the entire examination, including the scheduled break between sections, unless explicitly authorized by the proctor. Leaving camera view without approval will result in termination of the exam session and require reapplication and payment of a new exam fee.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the
ProProctor™ User Guide before selecting the remote option.
Check Your Exam Appointment
After scheduling your ATCBE® appointment, review your Prometric confirmation email right away.
Confirm that the following details are correct:
- Exam date
- Exam time
- Time zone
- Testing location or remote-testing format
You are responsible for making sure your appointment is scheduled for the date and time you intended. If any information is incorrect or unclear, contact Prometric as soon as possible.
ATCB℠ is not responsible for missed appointments caused by a misunderstanding of the scheduled exam time or failure to review the appointment confirmation.
Rescheduling or Canceling Your Exam
Changes must be made directly through Prometric.
Prometric fees:
- 30+ days before test date: No fee
- 5–29 days before test date: $35 fee
- Less than 5 days, no-show, or arrival 30+ minutes late: Candidate is responsible for the full test delivery fee incurred by ATCB
The ATCB℠ Board may consider exceptions in documented extenuating circumstances.
Exam Preparation Resources
For preparation materials, visit:
ATCB℠ does not endorse external study guides or preparation services.
What to Expect on Exam Day
The ATCBE® consists of:
- 175 multiple-choice questions (approximately 150 questions count toward the final score; remaining items are unscored pretest questions)
- Two sections
- Optional 15-minute break between sections
- 3.5-hour time limit
Unscored items are included to evaluate future exam questions and do not affect your score.
Providing Feedback on Exam Items
Candidates may submit feedback on exam questions during the test; however, time spent commenting will reduce the allotted three and a half (3.5) hours.
Alternatively, feedback may be submitted via the Exam Feedback Form.
Receiving Your Results
Candidates receive an official score report from Prometric following completion of the ATCBE®. The score report provided by Prometric is the official examination record for the Art Therapy Credentials Board.
Results will be:
- Processed by ATCB℠ within 12-14 business days
- Uploaded to the MyATCB℠ portal
- Candidates are notified when results are available
Candidates are responsible for retaining their score report and, when required, submitting it to a state licensing or other regulatory authority.
Candidates who do not pass receive information about their overall examination performance and performance by content domain to assist with preparation for a future attempt. Domain-level information should be used as general guidance and should not be interpreted as a precise measure of competency within an individual content area.
State Licensure Candidates: Submit Your Official Score Report To Your Board
For candidates seeking state licensure, you may provide verification of your passing ATCBE® examination results directly to your licensing board. The ATCB does not send examination results to licensing boards on behalf of candidates.
If You Pass
For Board Certification Candidates
If you successfully pass the ATCBE® and meet all additional eligibility requirements, you will be granted the Board Certified Registered Art Therapist℠ (ATR-BC®) certification.
Board Certification via Passage of ATCBE® for State Licensure
Individuals who previously passed the ATCBE® for state licensure may be eligible to use that examination result toward ATR-BC® certification if they completed the examination within the preceding five years and meet all other ATCB℠ requirements for Board Certification.
Eligible individuals who are already licensed and previously passed the ATCBE® must submit their reciprocity applications through MyATCB℠. For eligible candidates passing through a qualifying state pathway going forward, reciprocity is incorporated into the credentialing and certification process; no separate reciprocity application is required. ATCB℠ must confirm eligibility before approval.
Those approved through reciprocity must meet annual ATR℠ renewal, continuing education, five-year Board Certification recertification, and ATCB℠ ethical requirements.
Learn more on the Registered Art Therapist page and review the Reciprocity requirements and application information.
Retaking the ATCBE®
Candidates may take the ATCBE® no more than three times per calendar year.
A 90-day waiting period is required between attempts. The waiting period provides candidates time to review their performance and prepare for another attempt while also helping protect examination integrity by limiting repeated exposure to examination content within a short period.
To retake the examination, candidates must submit a new application.
State Licensure Candidates: Retake Requirements
Additional state licensure restrictions may apply. Candidates are responsible for verifying requirements with their state licensing board.
Appeals Process
The ATCB℠ Board of Appeals reviews exam appeals in accordance with established policy.
Exam scores themselves cannot be altered. Under specific circumstances, retesting may be permitted.
Acceptable grounds for appeal include:
- Issues related to exam administration
- Concerns regarding exam content
- Accommodation-related requests
Appeals may be submitted via the Appeal Request Form.
Questions or Concerns?
For non-scheduling inquiries, please contact ATCB℠ directly.