State Recognition for Virginia
Recognized? Yes – Licensure
Recognition Status: On March 3, 2020 Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law HB 1562, a bill that creates a music therapy license under the Board of Social Work. Procedures for applying for licensure are currently being developed.
Active Task Force? Yes
Year Started: 2011
Task Force Status: AMTA presented state recognition operational plan at State Meeting in 2011. Task force reviewed state regulations, gathered information on recognition of related professions, created a fact sheet, and began contacting legislators. Delegate Garrett attended state meeting in September 2013 to connect with music therapists and educate them about the legislative process. Facilitated a Hill Day in February 2018. Submitted Sunrise Review proposal for Board of Health Professions in 2019. Music therapy licensure legislation was filed in January 2020 (SB 633/HB 1652). On March 3, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam signed HB 1562 into law creating a music therapy license. The license must be obtained to practice music therapy and to call oneself a music therapist. Application procedures are being developed and will be posted when available.
Task Force Contact Name: Shelby Shrader
Task Force Contact Email: vastfmt@gmail.com
Task Force Members: Melissa Owens, Abigail Scott, Shelby Shrader, Miriam Smith
Task Force Facebook:
State Association: www.virginiamusictherapy.org
State Association Facebook: Virginia Music Therapy Association
Regional Association: www.mar-amta.org
State Legislative Activity:
Below you will find a link to an online report with information about state-level bills that include the keyword “music therapy.” There may or may not be a bill for your state. Some bills may have a direct impact on the profession (e.g. music therapy licensure legislation) while others may not (e.g. music therapy is included in a pre-existing list of healthcare providers).
Information is provided by Fiscal Note, a subscription service that allows CBMT to follow state and federal legislative and regulatory developments. This resource is provided for informational purposes to help you stay informed on legislative and policy issues impacting music therapy practice. Please contact your task force chair with questions and before taking any action.