State Recognition for Pennsylvania
Recognized? No
Recognition Status: With additional education and clinical training, music therapists are eligible to apply for counseling license.
Active Task Force? Yes
Year Started: 2006
Task Force Status: Extensive advocacy on proposed legislation to change counseling license from title to practice act. Communicating with officials to address challenges accessing music therapy services. Surveying state music therapists to create an updated fact sheet and seeking additional members to represent other geographical areas. Monitoring LPC-related issues and reimbursement issues. Held advocacy trainings and Hill Day event in October 2013 and September 2014. During the 2014 Hill Day a resolution was passed in both chambers recognizing the music therapy profession. In 2015, legislation was introduced to license music therapists in PA. HB1438 and SB947 serve to create a licensing board for music therapists. These bills are currently in committee. Session ends December 2016 and these bills will be re-introduced with possible language amendments for the 2017-2019 session.
Task Force Contact Name: Nicole Hahna and Madison Frank
Task Force Contact Email: pastate.task.force@gmail.com
Task Force Members: Kristyn Beeman, Madison Frank, Nicole Hahna, Heidi Lengel, Julie Schlosser
Task Force Facebook: Music Therapy PA State Task Force
State Association: pamusictherapy.org
State Association Facebook:
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.