Registration Standards Updates
After completing the job analysis in 2022 and commencing independent operations in 2023, the ATCB began reviewing the registration standards for both our provisional and full registration credentials and the recertification standards for board certification. In 2024, we announced changes to the recertification standards that will take effect in 2026. Today, we are also announcing updates to our registration standards, which will take effect in 2026.
Starting at 12:00am EST on January 1, 2026, the following registration standards will go into effect.
The Application Process
Effective July 1, 2025, applicants can upload official (with official watermark) transcripts into the ATR-P application.
Applications with unofficial transcripts will not undergo an official review until an official transcript is provided.
Effective January 1, 2026, 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.
Safeguarding applicant and credential holder data is crucial for the ATCB. Application materials often include personally identifiable information; storing these materials for extended periods in portals can result in data security breaches and privacy violations.
Education Requirements
Effective January 1, 2026-The ATCB will align the education standards for the ATR-P credential with the ACATE Curriculum Competency Requirements for educational programs in art therapy.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the leader in health sciences and health professions education accreditation. CAAHEP works with 25 Committees on Accreditation (CoAs) to review and accredit programs. The CoAs review programs’ self-studies, coordinate site visits, and formulate accreditation recommendations. The CoA for art therapy is the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE), which sets standards for art therapy education programs. ACATE recently conducted a comprehensive review of education standards for art therapy, with the contributions of art therapy educators. The ATCB has determined that beginning January 1, 2026, the education standards for the ATR-P credential will align with the ACATE Curriculum Competency Requirements for Educational Programs as the ATCB standards for art therapy education. The ACATE standards are located here.
The ATCB will continue the education review process for applicants from programs not accredited by CAAHEP. Studio/art verification will be part of the education review process.
Practicum and Internship must be completed within a structured art therapy practicum/internship course for graduate credit. The instructor of record for the internship/practicum course must be a current ATR-BC or ATCS.
- A minimum of 700 hours of supervised art therapy practicum/internship, including a minimum of 350 hours of direct client provision of art therapy services to individuals, groups, or families. The remaining hours may include supervision, case review, record-keeping, preparation, staff meetings, and other administrative tasks.
- Supervision hours must be overseen and documented as such: individual (1:1) supervision hours must be accrued at a ratio of one hour of supervision for every ten hours of practicum/internship or group (two or more supervisees per supervisor) supervision must be accrued at a ratio of one and one-half hours of supervision for every ten hours of practicum/internship. A minimum of 70 individual or 105 group supervision hours is required.
Supervision Requirements
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.
- Graduates of CAAHEP-accredited programs must complete 1,000 hours of direct client contact, including 100 hours of supervision by a Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). Graduates of post-master certificate programs from accredited institutions must also adhere to these standards.
- For applicants coming from non-accredited master’s programs, including international programs, the requirement remains at 1,000 hours of direct client contact. However, these candidates must have 150 hours of supervision, with 150 hours provided by an ATR-BC.
References
The ATR-BC supervisor must submit one of the required three references for the application.
.ATCB will accept professional references from non-mental health practitioners.