Legislative News
New Counseling Compact Informational Resource
February 8, 2023
The interstate compact is an agreement between states to honor counseling licenses issued by the other states who have signed on to the compact. Once implemented in its entirety, it will provide what amounts to license portability across the country for licensed counselors.
AATA Opposes the Redefinition of Art Therapy from a Separate Profession to a Form of Counseling in Texas
July 14, 2021
The regulatory structure of art therapists in Texas has recently undergone significant changes, both to the board with authority over the rulemaking process and to the rules themselves, including how art therapy is defined. The AATA submitted comment—first during the regular sunset review period with recommended improvements, and this week urging the rejection of a proposed redefinition of art therapy as a form of counseling.
Art Therapy and Music Therapy Licensure Bill Introduced in Ohio!
July 1, 2021
On June 26, 2021, Ohio representatives C. Allison Russo and Jamie Callender introduced House Bill 359 to license and regulate art therapists and music therapists.
From Art Therapists to Advocates: Achieving Art Therapy Licensure in Tennessee
May 6, 2021 | Paige Scheinberg & Catherine Harris
“We did it, y’all! We passed the Senate and the House… and, now, the Governor has signed our bill. We now have an Art Therapy License in Tennessee!!” Now, we’re here to support YOU! Whether you have just started with advocacy and legislative efforts in your own state or you have been at it for a while, we hope some of our experiences and lessons learned along the way will help energize and inspire you to keep doing the incredible work you’re doing.
BREAKING NEWS: Art Therapy Licensure is Official Law in Tennessee
April 22, 2021
We are thrilled to announce that Governor Bill Lee signed SB 101 on April 20, 2021, officially enacting the Professional Art Therapist License in Tennessee! The law will take effect July 1st, 2021. AATA congrats the Tennessee Art Therapy Association (TATA) and Tennessee’s art therapists! Tennessee is the 19th state to recognize art therapy through licensure or title protection, and the 11th to enact a specialized art therapy license.
Tennessee Art Therapy Licensure Bill Passes! Now Awaits Governor’s Signature
April 8, 2021
We are thrilled to announce that the art therapy licensure bill (HB 183) passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on April 5, 2021! The bill, having passed the Senate in March, was delivered to Governor Bill Lee on April 7th. According to Tennessee procedures, the Governor has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto legislation, or it becomes law without a signature. We expect action by April 19, 2021. We are looking forward to sharing more updates soon!
SURVEY: Reexamining the Impact of Coronavirus on the Art Therapy Profession
April 6, 2021
In May 2020, art therapists shared their experiences during the pandemic in the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) Coronavirus Impact Survey. Our report told the story of art therapists standing on the frontlines of the pandemic while coping with tremendous challenges. Now, a year into the pandemic, we are launching a follow-up survey to assess how art therapists are doing. While our last survey focused on the entire art therapy community (including students and educators), this survey is focused on clinicians’ work with clients.
Mississippi Art Therapists Successfully Organized to Defeat Bill to Repeal Art Therapy and Other Licenses
March 11, 2021
The American Art Therapy Association is pleased to announce that Mississippi House Bill 1315, which would have repealed the license for art therapists as well as several other occupations, died in committee on March 2nd, 2021.
2021 Art Therapy Licensing Bill Updates in Tennessee, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania
March 11, 2021
As state legislatures continue to focus on responding to the coronavirus pandemic, several art therapy licensing bills are advancing as a way to address the mental health crisis that has accompanied the virus. Read on for updates on legislation in Tennessee, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania in the 2021 legislative sessions!
AATA Sends Letter to Biden Administration Outlining Mental Health Priorities
February 11, 2021
This week, AATA sent a letter to President Joe Biden outlining our mental health priorities. In it, we also urged President Biden to address mental health issues as part of his plans to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.