October 3, 2019
Congratulations to the Nebraska Art Therapy Licensure Coalition for submitting their 65-page (184 pages including appendices!) questionnaire to initiate the sunrise review (407 Credentialing Review) by the Department of Health and Human Services to determine the need to regulate art therapy in Nebraska! The Coalition has been working on the application since their Letter of Intent was accepted by the Department a year ago on October 9, 2018.
Before submitting the questionnaire on September 16th, the Coalition met with the licensure bill sponsor Senator Sara Howard to review the content of the questionnaire and the bill. Senator Howard chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, which will have initial responsibility for considering the bill, and is well-positioned to be a strong champion of the art therapy legislation!
The Coalition’s proposal calls for the credentialing of Art Therapists as Licensed Mental Health Practitioners under the Mental Health Practice Act with associated certification as art therapists. Nebraska’s licensure structure is unique in that it has an umbrella license for all qualifying mental health practitioners, with separate certification to designate a licensee’s profession or specialized training. Similar to the credentialing structure of other states which provide separate licenses for professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers, certification in Nebraska as an art therapist is necessary to allow the public to identify licensed professionals who are qualified to practice art therapy.
The first Technical Committee Meeting of the Art Therapy Credentialing Review (407) has already been scheduled for October 29th, 2019.
Jennifer Jackson, AATA board member and Nebraska resident, and Doug Zyblut, Nebraskans for the Arts Executive Director, met with bill sponsor Senator Sara Howard and her staff in advance of submitting the questionnaire.