Music Therapist Certification

Music therapists are certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapy.

Music therapists are health professionals who use treatments such as creating, singing, moving to and/or listening to music to accomplish therapeutic goals. Research indicates that the use of music therapy can help with physical rehabilitation, facilitating movement, increasing engagement in treatment and providing emotional support for clients and their families, according to the website of the American Music Therapy Association. As of 2010, the Certification Board for Music Therapists is the only organization to certify music therapists to practice music therapy nationally.

Requirements

The first step in becoming a certified music therapist is obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy from an AMTA-approved college or university program, according to the AMTA website. The bachelor's degree curriculum imparts entry-level competence in musical foundations, clinical foundations and music therapy foundations and principles in accordance with the AMTA Professional Competencies. Besides coursework, students receive 1,200 hours of clinical training that includes a supervised internship. An aspiring music therapist can also complete a graduate degree in music therapy, which focuses on advanced clinical practice and research.

Personal Qualities

Personal qualities such as genuine interest in others and in helping others empower themselves are essential for a music therapist, since the essence of the practice involves establishing caring and professional relationships with people of all ages and abilities, according to the AMTA. Since music therapists are musicians as well as therapists, the profession also requires a background in and love of music.

Board Certification

After completing the bachelor's degree, the music therapist is eligible to sit for the national board certification exam. If successful, the music therapist receives the credential "music therapist-board certified (MT-BC). This credential is granted by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), which is an independent, nonprofit organization accredited by the national Commission for Certifying Agencies, according to the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations website.

Purpose

According to the AMTA website, board certification is used to provide an objective national standard which interested agencies, groups and individuals can use as a measure of professionalism. In addition, MT-BCs are recertified in five-year cycles to ensure their continued competence in the field.

Considerations

Professional agencies and legislative bodies are increasingly requesting CBMT credentialing, according to the CBMT website. Prior to 1998, individuals who completed the degree requirements of a NAMT- (National Association for Music Therapy) or AAMT- (American Association for Music Therapy) approved program and internship were designated a Registered Music Therapist (RMT), Certified Music Therapist (CMT) or Advanced Certified Music Therapist (ACMT), the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations website relates. A listing of current RMTs, CMTs and ACMTs is maintained by the National Music Therapy Registry. These individuals are also qualified to practice, according to the AMTA website.

References

• American Music Therapy Association: Professional Requirements for Music Therapists
• American Music Therapy Association: Personal Qualities
• National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association: Music Therapy
• The Certification Board for Music Therapists: Recertification
• The Certification Board for Music Therapists: CBMT Definition Fact Sheet

Resources

• American Music Therapy Association: Quotes About Music Therapy
• The Certification Board for Music Therapists: Step by Step