Please support music therapy for Kentuckians by signing the petition for Senate Bill 21 - a bill to recognize and license music therapy in the commonwealth of Kentucky.  

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed their education requirements through an approved music therapy program (Scope Of Music Therapy Practice, 2015). In other words, music therapists in Kentucky use music and music-based experiences to improve the quality of life for Kentuckians.

Music therapists are independently certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists after completing a bachelor's degree or higher from a music therapy program approved by the American Music Therapy Association, 1200 hours of clinical training, and passing a national board exam. A qualified, board-certified music therapist will hold the credential "MT-BC."

Legislation

A bi-partisan group of Kentucky legislators introduced a bill during the 2026 legislative session, Senate Bill 21, to provide licensure for board-certified music therapists by the Kentucky Division of Professional Licensing in the Public Protection Cabinet.

Why are we asking you for support?

To protect consumers
Ensures protection for the public by requiring individuals to meet national standards if individuals present themselves as music therapists.

To increase Kentuckians' access to music therapy services
States outline qualifications for employment and inclusion in state programs.

State licensure will help ensure that Kentucky citizens have access to music therapy services by personnel who are trained, equipped, held to high standards of ethics and professional practice, and demonstrate competency through board certification and continuing education activity.

State regulations often require official state recognition in programs with state oversight such as special education, Medicaid waiver funding, and even private insurance, regulations often require a form of official "state recognition" of a credential in order to support professional services.

To avoid confusion
Official state recognition of the MT-BC credential will help healthcare facilities (which rely upon state regulations) address the confusion regarding the difference between music therapists, music practitioners, music thanatologists, and other non-music therapy musicians in healthcare.

Questions? Please contact the Kentucky Music Therapy Task Force at KYmusictherapytaskforce@gmail.com.

For information about 75+ years of music therapy, please visit the American Music Therapy Association www.musictherapy.org and the Certification Board for Music Therapists www.cbmt.org.

Thank you for your support!