2026 Registration Standards for ATR

Applicants may qualify for the ATR by first obtaining the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) credential. The ATR-P is a required credential for individuals who are completing supervised post-graduate clinical experience in art therapy. After meeting all ATR-P requirements and completing the required supervised hours, applicants may then apply for the full ATR credential.

Eligibility for the ATR based on holding a current, active (non-provisional) state art therapy license or an international art therapy credential awarded under a recognized national or regional quality assurance framework meeting or exceeding ATCB educational and ethical competencies.

• Applicants can upload official (with official watermark) transcripts into the Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) application.
• Applications with unofficial transcripts will not undergo an official review until an official transcript is provided.
• All applications expire within one year of submission. However, additional time is granted for any candidate who needs extra time to meet education requirements and will be given a further 90 days.

• Three positive references from professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s work performance and art therapy skills.   ATCB will accept professional references from non-mental health practitioners. ATCB will accept professional references from non-mental health practitioners.
• The ATR-BC supervisor must submit one of the required three references for the application.
• Spouses or other close relatives may not complete references or verification forms on an applicant’s behalf.

An active ATR-P credential is required to become an ATR. ATR-P applicants can begin collecting supervision once the ATR-P application is submitted.

The ATCB will not accept supervision in increments of less than 10 hours. Group supervision will be accepted at 1:1, with no more than six supervises per group.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine that each supervisor’s license or credential is current and in good standing throughout the length of supervision and acceptable per the ATCB’s requirements.

The current allowable practice for group supervision is for group supervision to count as 1:1, meaning supervisees can count a full hour if the group is an hour long.

Applicants who qualify through a bridging plan (master’s-level mental health–related degree) will complete post-education supervision as determined by the needs outlined in their individual bridging plan. Supervision requirements may differ based on each applicant’s identified needs.

Any applicants planning to use post-education art therapy experience in their private practice must be licensed/certified practitioners in another psychotherapeutic discipline. A current ATR-BC/ATCS MUST supervise ALL post-education art therapy experience hours completed in an applicant’s private practice. Please note that certain states will not allow one to maintain a private practice without the proper credential; the applicant is responsible for being informed about and adhering to the requirements of relevant state licensure boards. 

ATCB accepts supervised direct client contact experience providing art therapy services as a volunteer, in lieu of paid employment. Please be aware that in order to qualify, volunteer art therapy experience hours must be accrued through an organization or agency that provides supervised mental health services.