The New York University Master of Arts in Music Therapy program is an on-campus academic program that enables a graduate to meet the educational requirements to qualify for professional licensure in New York and certain other states. The program places students in supervised field experiences within New York.
If you are interested in having a placement or gaining licensure in a state other than New York, please contact Ken Aigen (ka5@nyu.edu). Graduates seeking licensure outside of New York may learn about licensure requirements in other states and US territories below.
New York State Licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT)
To become a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) in New York, graduates of NYU's MA in Music Therapy program will need to obtain a provisional license and complete 1,500 hours of supervised post-graduate practice within two years. During this period, you must also pass the LCAT licensing exam and submit your application for full licensure in New York State.
For information on New York's Office of Professions and the procedures to earn licensure through New York State please visit the New York Office of Professions website.
National Certification and State Regulations
Some states require music therapists to be licensed in order to legally practice as a music therapist, while others may require registration with their state's music therapy registry. Certain states may also mandate the Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC) credential.
The MT-BC credential demonstrates entry-level clinical competence and is typically required by states that regulate music therapy through licensure, registry, or title protection. To obtain the MT-BC credential, candidates must pass the MT-BC examination.
Only graduates of programs in music therapy approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) or evaluated by the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) are eligible to take the MT-BC examination.
NYU's MA program in Music Therapy is approved by the AMTA and registered with the New York State Education Department as a licensure qualifying program. Graduates of the MA program are eligible to take the MT-BC examination and to earn the MT-BC credential.
For more information on state licensure and the MT-BC credential, please visit the Certification Board for Music Therapists website.
For a list of states where the program meets the academic requirements for licensure, please see the following:
| State | State License Contact Info | Does the Music Therapy program meet the educational requirements for professional license as a Music Therapist in this state? | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Alaska | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Arizona | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Arkansas | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| California | California Legislative Information | Yes | After July 31, 2019, an individual who provides music therapy shall not refer to oneself using the title of "Board Certified Music Therapist" unless the individual holds CBMT certification. NYU's program meets the educational requirements for title protection in California. |
| Colorado | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Connecticut | Connecticut State Department of Public Health | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Delaware | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Florida | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Georgia | Georgia Board of Music Therapy | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Hawaii | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Idaho | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Music Therapist | Yes | Licensed Professional Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Indiana | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Iowa | MUSIC THERAPIST CERTIFICATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS H.F. 285 | Yes | Individuals may not refer to themselves as a music therapist, a board-certified music therapist, or an MT-BC without holding the MT-BC credential. |
| Kansas | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Kentucky | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Louisiana | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Maine | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Maryland | Maryland Department of Health - Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Massachusetts | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Michigan | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Minnesota | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Mississippi | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Missouri | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Montana | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Nebraska | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Nevada | Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| New Hampshire | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Legislature Bill A2183 | Yes | Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT) MT-BC credential required Application procedures are being developed and will be posted when available. |
| New Mexico | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| New York | NYS Office of the Professions | Yes | Creative Arts Therapist License (LCAT) |
| North Carolina | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Ohio | Ohio - Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision | Yes | Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT) MT-BC credential required |
| Oregon | Oregon Health Authority | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Pennsylvania | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Board of Music Therapy | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| South Carolina | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| South Dakota | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Tennessee | Tennessee State Bill 898 | Yes | A music therapy certificate was signed into law on May 28, 2024. Similar to a license, the Certified Professional Music Therapist (CPMT) provides title and scope of practice protection for music therapy and will serve to increase consumer access to safe and competent music therapy services. Application procedures are being developed and will be posted when available. |
| Texas | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Utah | State of Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Vermont | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Virginia | Virginia Music Therapy Act of Assembly | Yes | A music therapy license was established in 2020. On March 3, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam signed HB1562 into law, establishing a music therapy license. This license must be obtained to call oneself a music therapist and practice music therapy in Virginia. Application procedures are being developed and will be posted when available. |
| Washington | Washington State Department of Health | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| West Virginia | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Wisconsin | State of Wisconsin - Department of Safety and Professional Services | Yes | Licensed Music Therapist MT-BC credential required |
| Wyoming | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| U.S. Territories: | |||
| American Samoa | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| District of Columbia | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Guam | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| Puerto Rico | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | NA | State does not offer professional licensure in Music Therapy |