This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Music Therapy Act.
Chapter 10.7Music Therapy
Section § 4650
This law is officially called the Music Therapy Act. People can refer to it by this name.
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Section § 4651
This law explains the requirements and process for becoming a certified music therapist. To be nationally certified, a music therapist needs a bachelor's degree from an approved music therapy program, complete 1,200 hours of supervised clinical work, and pass a board certification exam. The Certification Board for Music Therapists, which is accredited, oversees this process and grants the Music Therapist-Board Certified credential. This certification sets a national standard to ensure professionalism and competence. Certified therapists must follow a code of conduct and renew their certification every five years through education or testing.
The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 4651(a) Existing national certification of music therapists requires the therapist to have graduated with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or higher, from a music therapy degree program approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), successful completion of a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised clinical work through preinternship training at an approved degree program, and internship training through approved national roster or university affiliated internship programs, or an equivalent.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 4651(b) Upon successful completion of the AMTA academic and clinical training
requirements or its international equivalent, an individual is eligible to sit for the national board certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), an independent, nonprofit corporation fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
(c)CA Business and Professions Code § 4651(c) The CBMT grants the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential to music therapists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities for competence in the current practice of music therapy. The purpose of board certification in music therapy is to provide an objective national standard that can be used as a measure of professionalism and competence by interested agencies, groups, and individuals.
(d)CA Business and Professions Code § 4651(d) The MT-BC is awarded by the CBMT to an individual upon successful
completion of an academic and clinical training program approved by the AMTA or an international equivalent and successful completion of an objective written examination demonstrating current competency in the profession of music therapy. The CBMT administers this examination, which is based on a nationwide music therapy practice analysis that is reviewed and updated every five years to reflect current clinical practice.
(e)CA Business and Professions Code § 4651(e) Once certified, a music therapist must adhere to the CBMT Code of Professional Practice and recertify every five years through either a program of continuing education or reexamination.
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Section § 4652
This law is designed to define what music therapy is and help consumers, as well as state and local agencies, identify qualified music therapists more easily.
It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter do the following:
(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 4652(a) Provide a statutory definition of music therapy.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 4652(b) Enable consumers and state and local agencies to more easily identify qualified music therapists.
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Section § 4653
This law explains what music therapy is and how it should be used. Music therapy involves using music in a structured way to help people with their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs in various settings, like hospitals or schools. Therapists create specific treatment plans for individuals or groups, which include goals and strategies tailored to each client. The techniques used in music therapy can range from improvising music to songwriting and even combining music with other forms of art and relaxation techniques.
As used in this chapter:
(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 4653(a) “Music therapy” means the clinical and evidence-based use of music therapy interventions in developmental, rehabilitative, habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive, wellness care, or educational settings to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals within a therapeutic relationship. Music therapy includes the following:
(1)CA Business and Professions Code § 4653(a)(1) The development of music therapy treatment plans specific to the needs and strengths of the client who may be seen individually or in groups.
(2)CA Business and Professions Code § 4653(a)(2) Music therapy plans shall
establish goals, objectives, and potential strategies of the music therapy services appropriate for the client and setting.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 4653(b) “Music therapy interventions” include, but are not limited to, music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, singing, music performance, learning through music, music combined with other arts, music-assisted relaxation, music-based patient education, electronic music technology, adapted music intervention, and movement to music.
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Section § 4654
If you want to call yourself a 'Board Certified Music Therapist' in California, you must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized music therapy program, complete at least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical work through approved training programs, and meet the certification requirements set by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
An individual who provides music therapy shall not refer to oneself using the title of “Board Certified Music Therapist” unless the individual has completed all of the following:
(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 4654(a) A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or higher, from a music therapy degree program approved by the American Music Therapy Association using current standards, beginning with those adopted on April 1, 2015.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 4654(b) A minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised clinical work through
preinternship training at an approved degree program and internship training through an approved national roster or university affiliated internship program, or the equivalent.
(c)CA Business and Professions Code § 4654(c) The current requirements for certification, beginning with those adopted on April 1, 2015, established by the Certification Board for Music Therapists for the Music Therapist-Board Certified credential.
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Section § 4655
This section makes it clear that while anyone can use music in their work, they can't claim they're providing mental health, psychotherapy, or occupational therapy unless they hold the proper licenses. Also, if someone isn't certified as a Board Certified Music Therapist, they shouldn't suggest that they are by using music in their work.
This chapter shall not be construed to authorize a person engaged in music therapy to state or imply that they provide mental health counseling, psychotherapy, or occupational therapy for which a license is required under this division. While the use of music is not restricted to any profession, the use of music shall not imply or suggest that the person is a Board Certified Music Therapist, if they do not meet the criteria specified in Section 4654.
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Section § 4656
In California, it's considered an unfair business practice for someone to call themselves a 'Board Certified Music Therapist' without having the required credentials. This means you must meet certain qualifications outlined in another section of the law to use this title.
It is an unfair business practice within the meaning of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7, for a person to use the title “Board Certified Music Therapist” if they do not meet the requirements of Section 4654.
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Section § 4657
This law means that if you're already working as a music therapist for the State of California, you don't have to get certified as a Board Certified Music Therapist.
This chapter shall not be construed to require a music therapist currently employed by the State of California to obtain certification as a Board Certified Music Therapist.
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