Please support Kentucky music therapists by supporting Senate Bill 51.

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 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 music therapist will hold the credential "MT-BC."

Legislation

We introduced a bill during the 2024 legislative session, Senate Bill 51, 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 70+ 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!