FAQ

Click on the choices below to see questions on that topic.

Registration
Examinations
Recertification

Registration Questions

What counts as a related mental health field?

The ATCB Board has established the following as related mental health fields: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry.
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I am aware that my ATR has lapsed, but I would like for my status to be "current" again. What do I need to do?

If your credential has lapsed for less than 3 years, you can bring your credential to a current status by paying all annual back fees plus any administrative or late fees that are due. If your credential has lapsed for more than three (3) years, you will need to reapply for the ATR credential and meet current standards for registration. You may find out any additional information regarding the status of your credential by calling the ATCB National Office at 1-877-213-2822.
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Once I mail my ATR Registration application to ATCB, how long will it take before I am a Registered Art Therapist?

Applications are reviewed as soon as possible in the order in which they are received. The review process takes approximately six to eight weeks. ATCB will notify applicants in writing regarding his/her application after the review of the application.
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What is the difference between "Experience Hours" and "Hours of Direct Contact" on the Verification of Experience form?

Experience hours are the total amount of hours spent on the job. Hours of Direct Contact are only the hours spent in therapeutic sessions providing art therapy services to clients.
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Am I allowed to have more than 3 references?

Yes. Although ATCB requires that all applicants provide at least 3 references (one must be from a current ATR), an applicant may include more if he/she likes.
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Examination Questions

I have just taken the Board Certification examination, and I would like to know how soon I will have my results.

You will be notified of your results in writing in approximately eight (8) weeks. Results will not be given over the phone.
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I recently received my ATR, but I was wondering if there was a "waiting period" before I could take the exam to become Board Certified (BC)?

No, there is no waiting period in order to take the exam. You are eligible to register for the certification examination if you are a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). You must possess a current ATR credential to register for the exam.
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Recertification Questions

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What constitutes an acceptable 'Ethics Course' to meet the ATCB's new ethics requirement for continuing education?

Webster's dictionary defines ethics as "the principles of conduct governing an individual or group". Any CEC opportunity that addresses the principles of conduct that govern credentialed art therapists (as per the ATCB Code of Professional Practice) would then be pertinent. Most CEC opportunities in ethics have the word "ethics" in their titles. CEC opportunities that enhance the art therapist’s face-to-face clinical skills do not fall under the ethics category. For example, participating in a workshop that serves to enhance a clinician's ability to detect child abuse is not the same thing as participating in a workshop that serves to enhance a clinician's ability to report child abuse in accordance with state laws. The key difference is that the first scenario targets a clinician's knowledge while the second scenario targets a clinician's behavior. Ethics CECs can be awarded for attending ethics presentations by professionals in the related mental health fields as well (includes counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, addictions counseling, psychology, psychiatric nursing and psychiatry). ATR-BCs can also receive CECs for conducting ethics workshops, presentations, panels, academic courses and publishing their own ethics articles.
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Can I receive CECs for providing supervision?

No, the ATCB does not provide CECs for providing supervision to potential credential holders.
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Has the Board looked at CECs being gained by service to the organization(s) through serving on committees and boards?

The Board has reviewed this and currently has determined that this is not continuing education, but is denoted in service to the profession and the field.
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Who reviews the applications/tracking forms for recertification and how will the audit group be determined?

The initial review will be done by the ATCB Office and they will forward any questions or requests to the appropriate committee. The audit sample will be by random selection of a maximum of 10% of the certificants who are to recertify in the respective year.
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Is there someone I can talk to if I have any questions regarding the recertification process?

You may call the ATCB National Office at 877-213-2822 (toll free).
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Is there any established percentage of CECs that must be obtained directly in Art Therapy?

No, there is no percentage of CECs that must be obtained in Art Therapy.
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If my application is chosen for the random 10% audit group, what will I need to submit to the ATCB?

Along with the required documentation mentioned in #5 above, you will need to furnish supporting documentation to validate the CECs. This documentation can include certificates of attendance, programs, copies of juried shows brochures, course syllabi for teaching a course for credit, and transcripts.
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What is the process of recertification?

Each certificant will complete and submit the recertification application and the CEC Tracking form, which lists the 100 CECs (activity date/title, provider/presenter, content area (1-6), and number of CECs claimed for that activity.)
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Is earning CECs the only way that I can become recertified at the end of my current certification?

Yes, this is the only way to become recertified.
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How much is it going to cost to become recertified by the ATCB?

The cost of recertification becomes included in your yearly maintenance renewal. Before one's recertification becomes due, the ATR-BC yearly maintenance fee is $50 for AATA members and $100 for non-AATA members. Once you recertify, your yearly fee becomes $70 for AATA members and $120 for non-AATA members and will remain as such as long as you are an ATR-BC.
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How do I earn CECs (Continuing Education Credits) and in what content areas must they be earned?

CECs may be earned by attending various workshops, lectures, seminars and by attending or teaching educational classes that fall within the eligible content areas (see Recertification Standards). CECs may also be earned by publishing articles, books, and videos, as well as participating in juried art shows.
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How will I receive information and the application for recertification?

Certification materials will be mailed to you from the ATCB National Office 90 days prior to your recertification date. The application will be self-explanatory and will outline the options for recertification and the materials that will be needed to recertify.
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