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
Virginia Art Therapy Advisory Board:
Click here to see a list of who is currently on the Art Therapy Advisory Board through the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
There will be a position open in June of 2022. 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
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
