Licensure Requirement by State
State licensure for art therapists, while not universal, is growing. Some states require an Art Therapist Credential Board (ATCB℠) credential as the minimum requirement for practice, and others require passage of the Art Therapy Credentials Board Exam (ATCBE®).
States That Require an ATCB℠ Credential or Passage of the ATCBE®
| State | License Information | Requirement | Reciprocity Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Clinical Licensed Art Therapist (CLAT) issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health. | Requires ATR-BC®. | No |
| Delaware | Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) and Licensed Associate Art Therapist (LAAT) issued by the Division of Professional Regulation. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | No. Currently there is not an Exam-only pathway established, thus requiring the Exam for Board Certification |
| Kentucky | Professional Art Therapy License (LPAT) issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Art Therapists. | Requires passage of the ATCBE® or an ATR-BC®. | Yes |
| Maryland* | Professional Clinical Art Therapy License (LPCAT) issued by the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | Yes |
| Mississippi | Professional Art Therapy License (LPAT) issued by the Mississippi State Board of Health. | Requires the ATR-BC®. | No |
| Nebraska | Certified Art Therapist under the Mental Health Practice Act | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | No. Currently there is not an Exam-only pathway established, thus requiring the Exam for Board Certification |
| New Jersey | Professional Art Therapy License (LPAT) issued by the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners. The ATCS℠ credential is required for supervision. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | Yes |
| New Mexico | Professional Art Therapist License (LPAT) issued by the Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | Yes |
| Ohio | Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) issued by the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. | Requires the ATR-BC®. | No |
| Oregon | Licensed Art Therapist and Licensed Certified Art Therapist issued by Public Health Division-Health Licensing Office. | Requires ATR℠ & ATR-BC®. | No |
| Tennessee | Professional Art Therapy License (LPAT) issued by the Tennessee Department of Health. Rules yet to be determined. | Currently requires passage of the ATCBE®. | No. Currently there is not an Exam-only pathway established, thus requiring the Exam for Board Certification |
| Virginia | Licensed Art Therapist and Associate Art Therapy License issued by the Virginia Board of Counseling. | Requires ATR-BC® for Licensed Art Therapist and ATR℠ or ATR-P® for Associate Art Therapist. | No |
| Washington DC** | Professional Art Therapist License (LPAT) issued by DC Department of Health. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. | Yes |
*Exam windows for Maryland state licensure candidates are 12 months.
**Exam windows for Washington DC state licensure candidates are 30 days.
Art Therapy Qualifying Under Related Licenses
| State | License Information | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Licensed Professional Counselor with Specialty Designation in Art Therapy (LPC-AT), issued by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. | Requires the ATR-BC®. |
| New York | Creative Arts Therapist License (LCAT), issued by the Office of the Professions of the New York State Education Department. | Requires passage of the ATCBE®. |
| Wisconsin | Registered Art Therapist® with License to Practice Psychotherapy, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. | Requires the ATR-BC®. |