June 27, 2019
We are proud to announce that a distinct art therapy license has been enacted in Connecticut! On June 26, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont signed the state budget, which included licensure for art therapists. This license will go a long way in protecting the people of Connecticut, providing assurance that practitioners presenting as art therapists are qualified, and expanding access to art therapy services throughout the state. Thank you to everyone whose collective efforts led to this victory for the profession!
The clinical licensed art therapist (CLAT) will take effect on October 1, 2019 and will be administered through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Find more information about the new license on the Connecticut Art Therapy Association’s (CATA) website.
A recap of some milestones throughout the year:
- In the summer of 2018, the Connecticut Art Therapy Association (CATA) submitted their Scope of Practice Application.
- In October 2018 the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) agreed to convene a scope of practice review committee for art therapy, initiating a four-month sunrise review (study to determine the need and the appropriate level of regulation of a profession).
- The bill was introduced in January 2019 by Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown), the Assembly’s Assistant Republican Leader, who had also introduced art therapist licensing bills in the previous two legislative sessions.
- Following the DPH’s report to the General Assembly, concluding that the review committee did not oppose licensure for art therapists, the Joint Committee on Public Health voted to introduce the legislation as a committee bill.
- Art therapists testified before the Joint Committee on Public Health on February 11, 2019.
- On May 29, 2019, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill 138 to 1.
- On June 4, 2019, the license passed the Senate as part of the state budget.