FAQ

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

Registration Questions
Art Therapy Certified Supervisor Questions
Examinations Questions
Recertification Questions
Retired and Temporary Inactive Status Questions


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?

 Any CEC opportunity that addresses the principles of conduct that govern credentialed art therapists (as per the ATCB Code of Professional Practice) would be pertinent. Most CEC opportunities in ethics have the word "ethics" in their titles. 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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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?

At this time there is no requirement that a percentage of CECs be art therapy specific.
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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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How much is it going to cost to become recertified by the ATCB?

The recertification fee will be billed along with annual maintenance fee ($100) each year in mid-May. There is no additional recertification fee until you reach your fifth yer as an ATR-BC. At that time, your annual fee will become a total of $120.
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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. CECs may also be earned by publishing articles, books, and videos, as well as participating in juried art shows. The Recertification Standards Document for certification cycles beginning after July 1, 2011, contains the details and is available on the Web site. 
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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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Art Therapy Certified Supervisor Questions 

Is the ATCS going to be required in order to provide supervision of future ATRs?

Like all ATCB credentials, the ATCS is voluntary and the ATCB does not require that ATR applicants receive supervision from an ATCS.
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How many continuing education credits are required to maintain the ATCS?

ATCS credential holders must maintain the ATR-BC in good standing and must complete 10 CECs in supervision within the 100 hours of CECs required for the ATR-BC. Recertification is required every five years and will coincide with your ATR-BC recertification cycle.
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What is the annual fee for maintaining the ATCS?

The ATCS is subject to an annual maintenance fee which is currently $25. The fee is due in June, beginning in the year after the credential is granted.
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How much experience as a supervisor do I need to have in order to apply?

There are two options for attaining the ATCS certification and each has different requirements for experience as a supervisor. The requirement for supervision experience for Education-Based entry applicants is a minimum of 100 hours of clinical supervision of supervisees providing art therapy services, in addition to a minimum of 35 continuing education credit hours of supervision. For Experience-Based entry to ATCS certification, applicants are required to have completed at least 36 months and 500 hours of experience as a clinical supervisor of supervisees providing art therapy services.
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I am also a licensed mental health practitioner in my state. Can I use supervision I have provided to non-art therapists toward this credential?

Supervision must be of supervisees providing art therapy services. When supervision is provided to non-art therapists who provided art therapy services, the ATCS Verification of Clinical Supervision Form must be completed and signed by a representative of the agency at which the applicant provided the clinical supervision.
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Do I need continuing education credits in clinical supervision to become an ATCS?

If an applicant is applying for the ATCS through the Education-Based entry and has not completed a course in clinical supervision with a minimum of three semester (or 4.5 quarter) hours of graduate level credit from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, continuing education credits are required. The continuing education credits must meet ATCB recertification standards in place at the time of application. A total of 35 continuing credit hours in the area of clinical supervision, including supervision of art therapists must be submitted along with endorsement and supervision requirements, and a Professional Disclosure Statement.
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How long must I be an ATR-BC before I can apply for the ATCS?

An applicant for the ATCS must hold the ATR-BC for a minimum of 24 months before applying and must maintain the ATR-BC as one of the conditions of retain the ATCS.
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Retired and Temporary Inactive Status Questions

I will not be working as an art therapist for the next three years. Is it possible to take a leave from my credential during this time?

Yes, this is possible.  An ATR, ATR-BC, and/or ATCS whose maintenance fee payments are current, who is in good ethical standing, and if ATR-BC or ATR-BC/ ATCS is up to date on recertification, may apply for temporary inactive status if he or she will not be working in the field of art therapy or supervising art therapy practice. If approved, they may hold this status for up to three years. During this time, he or she cannot refer to themselves as an ATR, ATR-BC, or ATCS, but instead, may refer to himself or herself as ATR, ATR-B, or ATCS - Temporary Inactive. There is a one-time $25 fee to apply for temporary inactive status. During the time that temporary inactive status is in effect, the annual maintenance fee is waived and the ATR-BC or ATR-BC/ATCS is not required to amass continuing education. A written request must be submitted six weeks prior to the time that the art therapist would like to reactivate his or her ATCB credential.  Please click here for the Application for Temporary Inactive Status.
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I have retired from the practice of art therapy but I don’t want to give up my credential.  Does ATCB offer a Retired designation?

Yes. ATCB does offer Retired Status for individuals who are no longer working in the field of art therapy and who would like to retain their connection to their credentials and the organization.  There is a fee-free application for retired status. Those granted retired status are billed $25 annually for maintenance fees. Please click here for the Application for Retired Status.
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