Q: Why is the ATCB making changes to reinstatement?
A: The reinstatement process remains unchanged; what is changing is how long a credential can be inactive and qualify for reinstatement. The reinstatement fee is changing from $400 USD to $250 USD.
1. The mission of the Art Therapy Credentials Board is to protect the public by promoting the competent and ethical practice of art therapy through the credentialing of art therapy professionals. When an ethics attestation is not completed and filed for a credential before the start of the credential year (July 1), it will become inactive and delisted from the public registry. This ensures that anyone practicing art therapy with an ATCB credential abides by the Code of Ethics and Conduct and assures ATCB meets its charter of public protection. Earning and maintaining a credential indicates that the individual meets the minimum professional experience and complies with the ATCB’s ethical Code and professional conduct standards set by ATCB.
2. The ATCB is a non-profit; all fees cover operations costs. The Board of Directors, in accordance with their fiduciary responsibility, assesses operational expenses for every facet of ATCB programming. With the continued advancement of technologies and automation, along with the change in reinstatement eligibility, the ATCB can operate the reinstatement process with less expense and lower the fee.
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Q: I am not practicing art therapy or using my credentials. Am I required to keep them active?
A: Credentials conferred by the ATCB are an independent assessment of competency and a greater attestation of an individual’s ethical compliance and current skills than education or work experience alone. ATCB credentials are voluntary; thus, you can relinquish them anytime. As state licensure for art therapy continues to grow exponentially, we recommend you check with your state regulations regarding the practice of art therapy; some states require an ATCB credential.
The ATCB offers Temporary Inactive Status. A good-standing credential holder may request Temporary Inactive Status at any time, requiring board approval. Temporary Inactive Status is valid for five years. If a registered art therapist who carries board certifications (ATR-BC) misses the recertification cycle while on Temporary Inactive Status, the five-year certification cycle will reset to that of the year the recertification is completed. For example, if an ATR-BC on temporary inactive status returns to active in 2025, and their certification cycle ended when they were inactive, they will need to complete the recertification process in 2025 for the BC to be active. Before they can complete the recertification, they will need to complete the renewal of the ATR.
There is a one-time $25 fee to apply for temporary inactive status, and the application is located in MyATCB portals. When temporary inactive status is in effect, the annual renewal requirement is paused.
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Q: What is required for reinstatement?
A: The ATCB credential year runs from July 1 to June 30. All renewals must be completed via MYATCB to ensure an attestation of compliance with the ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures. If a credential is not renewed by June 30, 11:59pm EST, the ATCB allows a 30-day grace period, July 1 through July 31, to complete renewal; a late fee of $30 will be applied.
If by July 30, you do not complete the annual renewal, your credential will become inactive. Effective July 1, 2024, all inactive credentials have a one-year period to be reinstated.
To reinstate:
Complete the reinstatement application located in your MYATCB portal. With this application, you must include a letter from a current ATCB credential holder (ATR or ATR-BC) endorsing your return to active status. The letter requesting reinstatement must include a statement of attestation that you have studied the current ATCB Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures and will continue to abide by this Code.
Reinstatement follows the same ethics review as that of all ATCB applications. The reinstatement fee covers the cost of the ethics review, the relisting on the national registry, all administrative costs, and the annual renewal fee.
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Q: I am on Temporary Inactive Status. Do the changes to reinstatement impact me?
A: So long as you return to active status via the renewal process before your Temporary Inactive Status expires, these changes DO NOT impact you. However, if your Temporary Inactive Status expires and renewal is not completed, the credential will be inactive and require reinstatement to return to active status.
The expiration of Temporary Inactive Status can be found in your MyATCB portal.
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Q: I have been inactive for some time; how long do I have to reinstate?
A: Effective 12:00am EST on July 1, 2024, all inactive credentials have one year (July 1 to June 30) to utilize the reinstatement process to restore the credential to active. If you are inactive, you have until 11:50pm EST on June 30, 2025, to return to active status. As of 12:00am EST on July 1, 2025, you must reapply for a new credential if your credential is inactive.
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Q: I am a supervisor and did not realize my credential was inactive. Will any of the hours I supervised while inactive count for ATR applicants?
A: As a supervisor, you are ethically bound to ensure your credentials are active. The supervision hours will not count; any hours provided after becoming active can be submitted for an ATR application.