What kinds of professional certification do music therapists have?
Music therapists who have completed an appropriate level of academic training take a national competency examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapy. Those who pass this examination are designated as Board Certified (MT-BC). Some states have licensing procedures for health professionals such as music therapists. This generally involves an examination administered by the particular state. The State of New York is currently developing such a program for licensure of a wide variety of mental health professionals, including music therapists. A formal examination has yet to be devised. In addition, music therapists can seek advanced certification in several of the particular approaches to music therapy that have been developed over the years. Music therapists at CMTS have certification in the Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy, which is described below.
