Licensure
WE TRY TO UPDATE THIS AS SOON AS WE GET NEW INFORMATION.
FOR THE LATEST NEWS, BE SURE TO READ THE MEMBERSHIP EMAIL FOR MONTHLY UPDATES OR FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @vaarttherapy
Health and Human Resources Advisory Board on Art Therapy
Click here to see a list of who is currently on the Advisory Board on Art Therapy through the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
There will be a position open in June of 2025. Feel free to apply at this website to be on the advisory board at any time. It is open to all Board Certified Art Therapists (ATR-BCs), Licensed Health Care Professionals, and Members of the General Public
Update
May 2025
April 25th, the Virginia Board of Counseling unanimously voted to approve the regulations for an Art Therapy License in Virginia!
Next Steps:
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The Department of Planning and Budget (typically a fast part of the process)
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Then goes to the Secretary's office and then to the Governor. (The association can still contact those policy offices to advocate that they approve the final regulations quickly)
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Once the Governor signs and approves the final version, there will be a 30 day comment period and they will set the effective date for the regulations.
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On the effective date, the Board will be able to accept applications for licensure.
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When the BOC receives notice that the Governor has approved the regulations, they will make contact to work on messaging so that the community knows when and how to apply. At that point the necessary information will be on their website as well.
The board is hopeful that these final steps will move quickly and art therapists can apply for a Virginia license possibly end of summer/early fall!
Update
January 2025
On November 18th, Governor Glenn Youngkin officially signed the art therapy licensure regulations. Then on December 16th, the proposed regulations were posted for public viewing. Currently, and until February 14th, we are in a place of seeking comments from the public about the regulations. This can include support for the proposed regulations, feedback from professionals in the field, questions or concerns about the outlined policies, etc.
VATA is making a call for Virginia-based art therapists, out-of-state art therapists, counselors, social workers, other expressive therapy providers, co-workers, friends, family members, anyone who has benefitted from art therapy services, and the general public to add a comment!!! Please pass along the links below to folks who are interested in supporting progress in the field of art therapy.
**The deadline for comments is 2/14/25!**
To read the regulations, click here: Proposed VA Art Therapy Regulations
To submit a comment in response to the regulations, click here: Enter a Comment in Support of VA Art Therapy Licensure
Next Steps:
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A public hearing will also be held on January 25.
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After the public comment period is over, the Art Therapy Advisory Board will meet on March 28th to consider all comments received and vote on final regulations.
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The full Counseling Board will vote on these final regulations at its meeting on April 25th.
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The final regulations then must go through the executive branch review where hopefully they will move more quickly.
Update
November 2024
Currently, the proposed regulations are pending review and signatures from the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (Janet Kelly) as well as Governor Youngkin. There seems to be a lack of urgency from the governing individuals to take this next step, which is unfortunately impacting VA art therapists and potential clients who could benefit from access to this mental health service. A recent Art Therapy Advisory Board meeting was held on 10/18/24, during which art therapists and the general community were encouraged to continue directing the letter-writing campaign, email blasts, and advocacy toward the Governor and Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Until those two governing officials sign the regulations/policy drafts, no further progress toward licensure can take place.
This blog post from AATA give full details about the Letter-Writing Campaign for VA Art Therapy Licensure: https://arttherapy.org/blog-write-a-letter-to-help-us-license-virginia-art-therapists/
This blog post will provide a detailed narrative of the past licensure regulations process to date: https://arttherapy.org/blog-virginia-art-therapy-licensure-update/
We Need Your Help!!!
Email and/or write a letter to the following officials (see model letter here):
>>Janet Kelly (Secretary of Health & Human Resources) at HealthandHumanResources@governor.virginia.gov
>>Jaime Hoyle (Executive Director of the Boards of Psychology, Social Work, & Counseling) at Jaime.Hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov
Fill out the Contact Form using the Model Letter (see model letter here):
>>Governor Youngkin: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the-governors-office/
Update
July 2024
Mark your calendars and please plan to attend the next Art Therapy Advisory Board meeting on 10/18/24 at 2pm in Hanover/Richmond VA. This will be an open meeting and we would love for the turn-out to be big in order to support progress with art therapy licensure in the state and to increase overall advocacy. More details to come.
Find out more: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling/AbouttheBoard/Calendar/
Update
September 2021
UPDATE AUGUST 2021:
The Art Therapy Advisory Board within the Department of Health Professions met on July 23. They are still discussing specific regulations and making amendments to the draft. You can view the drafts, attached to the minutes.
Here are the minutes:
https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/GetFile.cfm?File=meeting\25\32693\Agenda_DHP_32693_v1.pdf
The next meeting is set for August 20. The public is welcome to attend.
UPDATE From the Virginia Board of Counseling January 2021 Newsletter:
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSURE OF ART THERAPISTS
Chapter 301 of the 2020 General Assembly requires the Board to promulgate regulations governing the practice of art therapy. The Code specifies the credential the Board will consider as qualification for licensure as an art therapist and as an art therapy associate. The Board will adopt additional requirements similar to other licensed professions for a fee structure, renewal or reinstatement, continuing competency, supervision of persons in training, and standards of practice.
The Board adopted the NOIRA at its November 6, 2020 meeting. The Office of the Governor is currently reviewing the NOIRA. Please note the regulatory process can take 18 to 24 months to complete. As such, it will be awhile before the Board begins issuing licenses to art therapists.
Please keep informed by registering on Townhall and visiting the Board of Counseling website for updates.
https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/meetings.cfm
UPDATE
August 2021
The Art Therapy Advisory Board within the Department of Health Professions met in November The LPAT (Licensed Professional Art Therapist) is currently in the regulatory process and under NOIRA (Notice of Intended Regulatory Action) which is a process that takes from 18 months to 2 years. After this process has been completed and regulations have been approved and finalized, then the LPAT license is ready for applicants. We will keep you updated as we receive updates from the Advisory Board.
ADVISORY BOARD ON ART THERAPY
The Governor appointed the following persons to the Advisor Board on Art Therapy, that falls under the Board of Counseling:
Brenda Bonuccelli, LCSW
Chair Gretchen Graves, MS, ATR-BC, CDATA
Elizabeth Anne Mills, LPC, ATR-BC
Vice-Chair Lelia Saadeh, LPC, ATR-BC
Holly Zajur
UPDATE August 2020:
The state is currently assembling an Art Therapy Advisory Board.
UPDATE
March 2021
The Art Therapy Advisory Board within the Department of Health Professions met on July 23. They are still discussing specific regulations and making amendments to the draft. You can view the drafts, attached to the minutes.
Here are the minutes:
https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/GetFile.cfm?File=meeting\25\32693\Agenda_DHP_32693_v1.pdf
The next meeting is set for August 20. The public is welcome to attend.
UPDATE From the Virginia Board of Counseling January 2021 Newsletter
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSURE OF ART THERAPISTS
Chapter 301 of the 2020 General Assembly requires the Board to promulgate regulations governing the practice of art therapy. The Code specifies the credential the Board will consider as qualification for licensure as an art therapist and as an art therapy associate. The Board will adopt additional requirements similar to other licensed professions for a fee structure, renewal or reinstatement, continuing competency, supervision of persons in training, and standards of practice.
The Board adopted the NOIRA at its November 6, 2020 meeting. The Office of the Governor is currently reviewing the NOIRA. Please note the regulatory process can take 18 to 24 months to complete. As such, it will be awhile before the Board begins issuing licenses to art therapists.
Please keep informed by registering on Townhall and visiting the Board of Counseling website for updates.
https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/meetings.cfm
VIEW THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING HERE
UPDATE December 2020
The Art Therapy Advisory Board within the Department of Health Professions met in November The LPAT (Licensed Professional Art Therapist) is currently in the regulatory process and under NOIRA (Notice of Intended Regulatory Action) which is a process that takes from 18 months to 2 years. After this process has been completed and regulations have been approved and finalized, then the LPAT license is ready for applicants. We will keep you updated as we receive updates from the Advisory Board.
UPDATE
October 2020
ADVISORY BOARD ON ART THERAPY
The Governor appointed the following persons to the Advisor Board on Art Therapy, that falls under the Board of Counseling:
Brenda Bonuccelli, LCSW
Chair Gretchen Graves, MS, ATR-BC, CDATA
Elizabeth Anne Mills, LPC, ATR-BC
Vice-Chair Lelia Saadeh, LPC, ATR-BC
Holly Zajur
UPDATE
August 2020
The state is currently assembling an Art Therapy Advisory Board.
UPDATE
April 2020
In March of 2020, Gov. Northam signed the VA Art Therapy Licensure bill(SB713) into law.
Summary: "Board of Counseling; licensure of art therapists and art therapist associates. Requires the Board of Counseling to adopt regulations establishing a regulatory structure to license art therapists and art therapist associates, as those terms are defined in the bill, in the Commonwealth and establishes an advisory board to assist the Board in this process. Under the bill, no person shall engage in the practice of art therapy or hold himself out or otherwise represent himself as an art therapist or art therapist associate unless he is licensed by the Board."
To view the entire bill, click HERE