Q: Why is the ATCB ending retirement?
A: The ATCB allowed individuals to retire credentials but continue to practice with that retired credential in a volunteer capacity. To maintain compliance with the NCCA, which accredits the board certification program, credential holders who carry the BC must have an active ATR and current BC to use those credentials in any capacity; thus, a retired ATR-BC using the credential to provide volunteer service is not allowable. Reviewing this requirement and the practices of other certification organizations, the board determined that retirement status will end across the board to ensure competency and equity.
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Q: I have a retired ATR-BC *annual and want to continue practicing.
A: You must take your ATR with BC out of retirement. You will need to complete the renewal of the ATR, and if your board certification window passed while the credential was retired, you will need to recertify the BC. Renewal and recertification are separate processes with separate functions.
1. Renewal of the ATR is the completion and the filing of the ethics attestation. A new attestation must be completed and filed before the start of each credential year, which is July 1 to June 30.
2. Recertification of the BC. This requires the completion and documentation of 100 continuing education credits. The purpose of recertification is to ensure anyone carrying board certification is as competent as one who recently took and passed the certification exam (ATCBE). If you need to recertify, you must review the recertification standards, which are found here:
If you plan on taking a credential out of retirement, LeeAnn will help you. Contact her at leeann@atcb.org.
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Q: I have an ATR-BC *annual retirement but don’t have the required continuing education; what can I do?
A: While the ATCB ends retirement on July 1, 2024, we will allow 16 months for retired credential holders to gain the necessary continuing education. Reminder: any “Annual Retired” or” Lifetime Retired” credential can be taken out of retirement no later than June 30, 2025, at 11:59pm EST.
Review the recertification requirements here.
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Q: I am an ATR-BC and do not want to complete the recertification of my BC.
A: Board certification is a voluntary certification for the ATCB. If you no longer want that distinction but would like to remain a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), you only need to contact LeeAnn-leeann@atcb.org so she can help you take your credential out of retirement and complete the renewal process.
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Q: I am an annual retired credential holder and don’t plan on using an ATCB credential to practice art therapy; what are my options?
A: There are several things you can do:
1. Let the credential become inactive.
2. Convert the credential to Lifetime retired.
Please remember that any inactive credential requires reinstatement. Also, any credential (and credential number) “retired” after 12:00am EST on 7/1/2025 will remain retired. As of July 1, 2025, anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently retired will need to apply for a new credential with a new credential number under current ATCB standards.
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Q: I am an annual lifetime credential holder and don’t plan on using an ATCB credential to practice art therapy; what do I need to do?
A. Nothing; if your credential is Lifetime retired and you don’t want to end that status, it will remain Lifetime retired. Please remember that any inactive credential requires reinstatement. Also, any credential (and credential number) “retired” after 12:00am EST on 7/1/2025 will remain retired. As of July 1, 2025, anyone wishing to practice art therapy with an ATCB credential that is permanently retired will need to apply for a new credential with a new credential number under current ATCB standards.
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Q. What is the fee to take my credential out of retirement?
A. There is no fee to end retirement status; LeeAnn will take care of this for you. But once out of retirement, the credential is treated just as every credential. It will require renewal annually, which is $100. The function of the annual renewal of your credential is to complete and file the mandatory yearly ethics attestation. As a non-profit, all fees cover the costs of maintaining the credentials, the national registry, ATCB operations, and the Code of Ethics, Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedure, including the Ethics Officers.