To Whom it may Concern, 

Recently, New Jersey Legislature (“Legislature”) put into law  NJA1220 the "Drama Therapists and Dance/Movement Therapists Licensing Act." (the Act) which has, among other changes,

Altered the necessary requirements for individuals within the state to obtain licensure 
Eliminated the Art Therapy (AT) Advisory committee and placed Art Therapy under the banner of the newly created State Board of Creative Arts Therapies. 

The signers of this petition are not requesting this law be abolished or overturned,  rather, we seek an amendment aimed at clarification for those seeking licensure as Art Therapists in the state of New Jersey,  as well as an affirmation regarding previous licensure guidelines passed by the Legislature regarding the licensure requirements for Art Therapists. 

The language of the law be clarified to include Art Therapy in addition to Dance and Movement therapy seeing that Art Therapy will now fall under the State Board of Creative Art Therapies. 

The “grandfather clause” altering the requirements for those individuals currently seeking Art Therapy licenses as put forward and approved of by the AT Advisory committee is upheld and approved of. 

By approving this petition, the Legislature will create a clear understanding of the requirements needed for those individuals currently in the process of obtaining their licensure, ensuring those individuals currently in the process of obtaining their licensure and in good standing are allowed to continue their path with a clear understanding of the requirements without being forced redo several steps which would be costly and unnecessary, while also ensuring that Art Therapists are included specifically in the State Board for Creative Arts Therapies. We thank you for your time and your attention to this matter.