PART 1316 MUSIC THERAPY LICENSING AND PRACTICE ACT : Sections Listing

TITLE 68: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER VII: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
SUBCHAPTER b: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
PART 1316 MUSIC THERAPY LICENSING AND PRACTICE ACT


AUTHORITY: Implementing the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act [225 ILCS 56].

SOURCE: Adopted at 47 Ill. Reg. 17445, effective November 13, 2023.

 

Section 1316.10  Definitions

 

"Act" means the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act [225 ILCS 56].

 

"Board" means the Music Therapy Advisory Board.

 

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of the State of Illinois.

 

"Director" means the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation with the authority delegated by the Secretary.

 

"Division" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation.

 

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

 

Section 1316.15  Application for Licensure

 

a)         An applicant for licensure as a licensed professional music therapist shall file an application on forms provided by the Division.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be of good moral character.  The application shall include:

 

1)         An official transcript and diploma or official transcript and certification of graduation evidencing that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree or higher in music therapy from an accredited educational institution that meets the standards provided in Section 1316.20;

 

2)         Certification of successful completion of an examination as provided in Section 1316.25.  The certification shall be forwarded to the Division from the testing entity; and

 

3)         The fee required in Section 1316.55.

 

b)         In lieu of meeting the requirements in subsection (a)(1), an applicant who has at least a baccalaureate degree (not in music therapy) may complete a music therapy degree equivalency program offered by a university approved by the American Music Therapy Association without earning a second baccalaureate degree.  Applicants shall meet all other requirements for licensure.

 

Section 1316.20  Professional Education Curriculum and Instruction Standards

 

a)         The educational requirements for licensure are as follows:

 

1)         Baccalaureate degree or higher in music therapy shall be from a college, university, or school that is a regionally accredited institution of higher education and recognized by the United States Department of Education;

 

2)         The programs, wherever they may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified, and labeled as offering music therapy or similar degree programs.  Such a program must specify in institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train music therapists;

 

3)         The program is an organizational entity within the institution;

 

4)         The program has an integrated, organized sequence of study;

 

5)         The program must require an individual to graduate from a program with courses that cover each of the areas listed in this subsection (see Appendix A (Course Descriptions) for a definition of the subject content for each area):

 

A)        Music Foundations

 

i)          Music theory and history;

 

ii)         Composition and arranging skills;

 

iii)        Major performance medium skills;

 

iv)        Functional music skills;

 

v)         Conducting skills; and

 

vi)        Movement skills.

 

B)        Clinical Foundations

 

i)          Therapeutic applications;

 

ii)         Therapeutic principles; and

 

iii)        The therapeutic relationship.

 

C)        Music Therapy

 

i)          Foundations and principles;

 

ii)         Client assessment;

 

iii)        Treatment planning;

 

iv)        Therapy implementation;

 

v)         Therapy evaluation;

 

vi)        Documentation;

 

vii)       Termination/Discharge planning;

 

viii)      Professional role and ethics;

 

ix)        Interprofessional collaboration;

 

x)         Supervision and administration; and

 

xi)        Research methods.

 

6)         The program has faculty responsible for the program and has a sufficient number of full-time instructors to make certain that the educational obligations to the student are fulfilled;

 

7)         The program has an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree; and

 

8)         The program involves interaction with faculty and other matriculated students.

 

b)         For the purpose of this Section, a course shall be defined as an integrated, organized course of study.  No student designed courses, independent study courses, workshops, or correspondence courses may be used to satisfy the course requirements in this Section.

 

c)         The Division has determined that all baccalaureate degree and higher degree programs approved by the American Music Therapy Association are approved programs.

 

d)         Individual Program Requirements

 

1)         Individuals applying for licensure as a professional music therapist who have not graduated from a program listed in subsection (c) shall submit their official transcripts and program materials to the Division for evaluation by the Board to determine if they meet the requirements of this Section.

 

2)         Individuals applying for licensure who are deficient in any of the content areas set forth in subsection (a)(5) may complete any content area deficiencies in a music therapy program or similar degree program.  No student designed courses, independent study courses, workshops, or correspondence courses may be used to satisfy the course requirements in this Section.

 

Section 1316.25  Examination

 

a)         The examination approved by the Division for licensure as a licensed professional music therapist is the Music Therapy Board Certification Examination of the Certification Board for Music Therapists.  The passing score on the examination shall be the passing score established by the testing entity. 

 

b)         An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination in accordance with the procedures established by the testing entity.

 

c)         The applicant shall pay examination fees to the testing entity.  These fees are in addition to the license application fee payable to the Division.

 

Section 1316.30  Endorsement

 

a)         An applicant for licensure as a licensed professional music therapist who is licensed under the laws of another state shall file an application on forms provided by the Division.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.  The application shall include:

 

1)         A certification from the jurisdiction of original licensure and current licensure stating:

 

A)        The date of issuance and status of the license; and

 

B)        Whether the records of the licensing authority contain any record of any disciplinary actions taken or pending.

 

2)         Proof of the following:

 

A)        Official transcript and diploma or official transcript and certification of graduation that complies with Section 1316.15(a)(1) or (b); and

 

B)        Certification of previous successful completion of an examination that is the same or similar to the examination as provided for in Section 1316.25.  If the applicant does not meet this requirement, the applicant must successfully complete the examination provided for in Section 1316.25.

 

3)         The fee required in Section 1316.55.

 

b)         The Division shall examine each endorsement application to determine whether the requirements in the other state at the date of licensing were substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Act and this Part.

 

Section 1316.35  Renewals

 

a)         All licenses issued under the Act shall expire October 31 of each even-numbered year.  The holder of a license may renew the license during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee.

 

b)         Compliance with the continuing education requirement in Section 1316.40 is a condition of renewal.

 

c)         Practice on an expired license shall be considered unlicensed practice and shall be grounds for discipline pursuant to Section 40 of the Act.

 

Section 1316.40  Continuing Education

 

a)         Continuing Education Requirements

 

1)         Beginning with the 2026 renewal period, all licensed professional music therapists shall complete 40 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year license renewal cycle.  For licensees who have direct patient interactions with adult populations age 26 or older, at least one of the continuing education hours must include completion of a course on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

 

2)         All continuing education must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration of the license.

 

3)         A renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with continuing education requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois license.

 

4)         Licensed professional music therapists licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states shall comply with the continuing education requirements set forth in this Section.

 

5)         Continuing education hours used to satisfy the continuing education requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the continuing education requirements of the State of Illinois.

 

b)         Approved Continuing Education Sponsors and Programs

 

1)         Sponsor, as used in this Section, shall mean:

 

A)        Certification Board for Music Therapists;

 

B)        American Music Therapy Association;

 

C)        Illinois Association for Music Therapy;

 

D)        Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association;

 

E)        Any Illinois university or college that offers a degree in music therapy; or

 

F)         Any other accredited school, college, or university, State agency, or association approved by the Division upon recommendation of the Board.

 

2)         All programs shall:

 

A)        Contribute to the advancement, extension, and enhancement of the professional skills and scientific knowledge of the licensee in the profession of music therapy;

 

B)        Foster the enhancement of the music therapy profession and values;

 

C)        Be developed and presented by persons with education and/or experience in the subject matter of the program;

 

D)        Specify the course objectives, course content, and teaching methods to be used; and

 

E)        Specify the number of continuing education hours that may be applied to fulfilling the Illinois continuing education requirements for license renewal.

 

3)         Continuing education may be offered in a classroom setting or by online instruction.

 

4)         Each continuing education program shall provide a mechanism for evaluation of the program and instructor by the participants.  The evaluation may be completed on-site immediately following the program presentation or an evaluation questionnaire may be distributed to participants to be completed and returned by mail or electronic means.  The sponsor and instructor, together, shall review the evaluation outcome and revise subsequent programs accordingly.

 

5)         A sponsor approved pursuant to subsection (b)(1) may subcontract with individuals or organizations to provide approved programs.  All advertising, promotional materials, and certificates of attendance must identify the approved sponsor.  The presenter of the program may also be identified but should be identified as a presenter.  When an approved sponsor subcontracts with a presenter, the sponsor retains all responsibility for monitoring attendance, providing certificates of attendance, and ensuring the program meets all of the criteria established by the Act and this Section, including the maintenance of records.

 

6)         Certification of Attendance.  It shall be the responsibility of a sponsor to provide each participant in a program with a certificate of attendance or participation.  The sponsor's certificate of attendance shall contain:

 

A)        The sponsor's name and, if applicable, sponsor approval number;

 

B)        The name of the participant;

 

C)        A brief statement of the subject matter;

 

D)        The number of hours attended in each program;

 

E)        The date and place of the program; and

 

F)         The signature of the sponsor.

 

7)         The sponsor shall maintain attendance records for not less than 5 years.

 

8)         The sponsor shall be responsible for assuring that no renewal applicant will receive continuing education credit for time not actually spent attending the program.

 

9)         Upon the failure of the sponsor to comply with any of the requirements of subsection (b), the Division, after notice to the sponsor, shall thereafter refuse to accept for continuing education attendance at or participation in any of that sponsor's continuing education programs until the Division receives assurances of compliance with this Section.  The Division will post such information on its website.

 

10)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Division or Board may evaluate any sponsor of any approved continuing education program at any time to ensure compliance with requirements of this Section.

 

c)         Certification of Compliance with Continuing Education Requirements

 

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the continuing education requirements set forth in subsection (a).

 

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the continuing education requirements (e.g., certificates of attendance).  This additional evidence shall be required in the context of the Division's random audit.  It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance.

 

3)         When there appears to be a lack of compliance with continuing education requirements, an applicant shall be notified in writing and may request an interview with the Board.  At that time, the Board may recommend that steps be taken to begin formal disciplinary proceedings.

 

d)         Continuing Education Earned in Other Jurisdictions

 

1)         If a licensee has earned continuing education hours offered in another jurisdiction not given by an approved sponsor for which the licensee will be claiming credit towards full compliance in Illinois, the applicant shall submit an individual program approval request form, along with a $25 processing fee, prior to participation in the program or within 90 days prior to expiration of the license.  The Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in subsection (b)(2).

 

2)         If a licensee fails to submit an out-of-state continuing education approval form within the required time, late approval may be obtained by submitting the approval request with the $25 processing fee plus a late fee of $50 per continuing education hour, not to exceed $300.  The Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in subsection (b)(2).

 

e)         Waiver of Continuing Education Requirements

 

1)         Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license without having fully complied with these continuing education requirements shall file with the Division a renewal application, along with the fee set forth in Section 1316.55, an affidavit setting forth the facts concerning noncompliance and a request for waiver of the continuing education requirements on the basis of these facts.  A request for waiver shall be made prior to the renewal date.  If the Division, upon the written recommendation of the Board, finds from the affidavit or any other evidence submitted that good cause has been shown for granting a waiver, the Division will waive enforcement of continuing education requirements for the renewal period for to which the applicant has applied.

 

2)         Good cause shall be determined on an individual basis by the Board and be defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the continuing education requirements during the applicable pre-renewal period because of:

 

A)        Full-time service in the Armed Forces of the United States during a substantial part of the pre-renewal period;

 

B)        An incapacitating illness documented by a statement from a currently licensed health care provider;

 

C)        A physical inability to access the sites of approved programs or online sources documented by a currently licensed health care provider; or

 

D)        Any other similar extenuating circumstances.

 

3)         When the licensee is requesting a waiver due to physical or mental illness or incapacity, the licensee shall provide a current fitness to practice statement from a currently licensed health care provider familiar with the licensee’s medical history.

 

4)         Any renewal applicant who, prior to the expiration date of the license, submits a request for waiver, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be in good standing until the final decision on the application is made by the Division.

 

Section 1316.45  Restoration

 

a)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has expired for 3 years or less shall have the license restored upon payment of all lapsed renewal fees required by Section 1316.55 and proof of completion of the continuing education required under Section 1316.40.

 

b)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has been placed on inactive status for 3 years or less shall have the license restored upon payment of the current renewal fee required by Section 1316.55 and proof of completion of the continuing education required under Section 1316.40.

 

c)         A person seeking restoration for a license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 3 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, proof of completion of the continuing education required under Section 1316.40, and payment of the restoration fee required by Section 1316.55.

 

d)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has been revoked, suspended, in refuse to renew status, or on probation for 3 years or less shall comply with the same requirements provided in subsection (b), provide sufficient evidence to establish that the person has been rehabilitated in accordance with Section 1316.50, and pay of the restoration fee required by Section 1316.55.

 

e)         A person seeking restoration of a license that has been revoked, suspended, in refuse to renew status, or on probation for more than 3 years shall comply with the same requirements provided in subsection (d) provide sufficient evidence to establish that the person is fit to practice music therapy, and provide sufficient evidence to establish that the person has been rehabilitated in accordance with 1360.50.  Establishing that the person is fit to practice may include, but is not limited to, passage of an examination or completion of additional training or education.

 

f)         Except for persons seeking restoration of a license that has been revoked, suspended, in refuse to renew status, or on probation, when the accuracy or sufficiency of any submitted documentation is questioned by the Division because of a lack of information, discrepancies, or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the person seeking restoration of a license may be requested to:

 

1)         Provide information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain the relevance or sufficiency, clarify information, or clear up any discrepancies or conflict in information.

 

Section 1316.50  Rehabilitation

 

a)         Upon written petition for restoration of a license from discipline pursuant to Section 1315.45, the Board shall consider, but is not limited to, the following in determining if the person is to be deemed sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust:

 

1)         The seriousness of the offense that resulted in the disciplinary action being considered or being taken;

 

2)         The length of time that elapsed since the disciplinary action was taken;

 

3)         The profession, occupation, and outside activities in which the petitioner has been involved;

 

4)         Any counseling, medical treatment, or other rehabilitative treatment received by the petitioner;

 

5)         Compliance with Section 1316.55(c), except for payment of renewal fees, which is a condition for petitioning for restoration;

 

6)         Continuing education courses or other types of courses taken to correct the grounds for the past disciplinary action;

 

7)         Written reports and oral testimony by other persons relating to the skill, knowledge, honesty, integrity, and contriteness of the petitioner;

 

8)         Restitution to injured parties;

 

9)         Future plans of the petitioner;

 

10)       Involvement of the petitioner's family and friends in the petitioner's rehabilitation process;

 

11)       A written report of a physical or mental examination given by a physician selected by the Board and paid for by the petitioner;

 

12)       Any other information evidencing rehabilitation that would bear upon the petitioner’s request for restoration of a license;

 

13)       Whether the order imposing sanctions was appealed and, if so, whether a reviewing court granted a stay or delay of imposition of the sanction;

 

14)       The date and disposition of any other petition for restoration filed since the last sanction was imposed; and

 

15)       Whether there has been compliance with any probationary terms imposed.

 

b)         In addition to the factors contained in subsection (a), the Board may find that there is sufficient evidence in the record to recommend to the Director that the petitioner must also successfully complete a competency examination in compliance with Section 1316.25 and paid for by the petitioner, prior to restoration of a license.

 

Section 1316.55  Fees

 

The following fees shall be paid to the Division and are not refundable:

 

a)         The fee for application for a license under Sections 1316.15 or 1316.30 is $400.00.

 

b)         The fee for renewal of a license is $300.00.

 

c)         The fee for restoration of a license other than from inactive status is $50.00 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees.  The fee for restoration of a license from inactive status is the current renewal fee.

 

d)         The fee for certification of a licensee’s record for any purpose is $20.00.

 

e)         The fee for a continuing education sponsor subject to the approval of the Board is $500.00.  The fee is waived for a State agency, State university, or community college.

 

f)         The fee for a two-year renewal for a continuing education sponsor subject to approval of the Board is $250.00.  The renewal fee is waived for State agency, State university, or community college.

 

Section 1316.60  Dishonorable, Unethical, or Unprofessional Conduct

 

The Division may suspend or revoke a license, refuse to issue or renew a license or take other disciplinary action based upon its findings of dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct pursuant to Section 95(a)(8) of the Act, which includes, but is not limited to, the following acts or practices:

 

a)         Engaging in conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public, or demonstrating a willful disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a client.  Actual injury need not be established.

 

b)         A departure from or failure to conform to the standards of practice as set forth in the Act or this Part.  Actual injury need not be stablished.

 

c)         Engaging in behavior that violates professional boundaries (including, but not limited to, signing wills or other documents not related to client health care).

 

d)         Engaging in sexual conduct with a client or conduct that may reasonably be interpreted by a client as sexual, or behavior that is sexually harassing to a client, including any verbal behavior that is sexually harassing.

 

e)         Demonstrating actual or potential inability to practice with reasonable skill, safety, or judgment by reason of illness, use of alcohol, drugs, chemicals, or any other material or as a result of any mental or physical condition.

 

f)         Misrepresenting educational background, training, credential, or competence.

 

g)         Committing any other act or omission that breaches the music therapist's responsibility to a client according to accepted standards of practice.

 

h)         Practicing, condoning, facilitating, collaborating with, or engaging in discrimination based on age, culture, disability, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status/partnership, language preference, socioeconomic status, or any basis prescribed by law.

 

i)          Revealing facts, data, or information relating to a client, except as allowed under Section 90 of the Act or under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act or any other federal or State law.

 

j)          Failing to take appropriate steps to protect the privacy of a client and avoid unnecessary disclosures of confidential information.  The right to privacy belongs to clients and may be waived.  A written waiver shall be signed by the client and the information revealed shall be in accordance with the terms of the waiver.

 

k)         Submission of fraudulent claims for services to any person or entity including, but not limited to, health insurance companies or health service plans or third party payors.

 

l)          Any violation of the Code of Ethics adopted by the American Music Therapy Association, 10125 Colesville Road #136, Silver Springs, Maryland  20901, effective February 1, 2019, with not later amendments or editions, which is hereby incorporated by reference (https://www.musictherapy.org/about/ethics/).

 

Section 1316.65  Granting Variances

 

The Director may grant variances from this Part in individual cases when the Director finds that:

 

a)         The provision from which the variance is granted is not statutorily mandated;

 

b)         No party will be injured by the granting of the variance; and

 

c)         The rule from which the variance is granted would, in the particular case, be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

 

Section 1316.Appendix A   Course Descriptions

 

The following music therapy education course content areas are defined, and subject areas outlined herein.  However, this is not an all-inclusive list.  Each area identified may be a single course or part of one course or multiple courses.

 

a)         Music Foundations

 

1)         Music theory and history:  standard works in the literature; elemental, structural, and stylistic characteristics of music from various periods and cultures; sight-singing melodies of both diatonic and chromatic makeup; taking aural dictation of melodies, rhythms, and chord progressions; transposing simple compositions.

 

2)         Composition and arranging skills:  composing songs with simple accompaniment; adapt, arrange, transpose, and simplify music compositions for small vocal and non-symphonic instrumental ensembles.

 

3)         Major performance medium skills:  performing appropriate undergraduate repertoire; demonstrating musicianship, technical proficiency, and interpretive understanding on a principal instrument or voice; performing in small and large ensembles.

 

4)         Functional music skills:  basic foundation on voice, piano, guitar, and percussion; developing original melodies, simple accompaniments, and short pieces extemporaneously in a variety of moods and styles, vocally and instrumentally; improvisation on pitched and unpitched instruments and vocally in a variety of settings including individual, dyad, small, or large group; care and maintenance of instruments.

 

5)         Conducting skills:  conducting basic patterns with technical accuracy; conducting small and large vocal and instrumental ensembles.

 

6)         Movement skills:  directing structured and improvisatory movement experiences; moving in a structured and/or improvisatory manner for expressive purposes.

 

b)         Clinical Foundations

 

1)         Therapeutic applications:  the potential, limitations, and problems of populations served; the causes, symptoms of, and basic terminology used in medical, mental health, and educational classifications; typical and atypical human systems and development; the primary neurological processes of the brain.

 

2)         Therapeutic principles:  the dynamics and processes of a therapist-client relationship; the dynamics and processes of therapy groups; accepted methods of major therapeutic approaches.

 

3)         The therapeutic relationship:  the impact of one's own feelings, attitudes, and actions on the client and the therapy process; interpersonal relationships with clients and team members that are appropriate and conducive to therapy; using oneself effectively in the therapist role in both individual and group therapy, e.g., appropriate self-disclosure, authenticity, empathy, etc. toward affecting desire therapeutic outcomes; the dynamics and processes of groups to achieve therapeutic goals; awareness of the influence of race, ethnicity, language, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age ability, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation on the therapeutic process.

 

c)         Music Therapy

 

1)         Foundations and principles:  existing music therapy methods, techniques, materials, and equipment with their appropriate applications; principles and methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination for the populations served; the psychological aspects of musical behavior and experience including, but not limited to, perception, cognition, affective response, learning, development, preference, and creativity; the psychological aspects of the musical experience including, but not limited to, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and psychomotor responses; philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological basis of music as therapy; current technologies in music therapy assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination.

 

2)         Client assessment:  effective culturally based methods for assessing the client's strengths, needs, musical preferences, level of musical functioning, and development; the client's responses to assessment; the client's functional and dysfunctional behaviors; the client's therapeutic needs through analysis and interpretation of assessment data; communication of assessment findings and recommendations in written and verbal forms.

 

3)         Treatment planning:  selecting or creating music therapy experiences that meet the client's objectives; goals and objectives for individual and group therapy based upon assessment findings; identification of the client's primary treatment needs in music therapy; preliminary estimates of frequency or duration of treatment; selection and adaptation of music, musical instruments, and equipment consistent with the strengths and needs of the client; music therapy strategies for individuals and groups based upon the goals and objectives adopted; creation of a physical environment that is conducive to treatment; planning music therapy sessions; determination of the client's appropriate music therapy group and/or individual placement; coordination of treatment plan with other professionals.

 

4)         Therapy implementation:  recognizing, interpreting, and responding appropriately to significant events in music therapy sessions as they occur; providing music therapy experiences that address assessed goals and objectives for populations served; verbal and nonverbal directions and cues necessary for successful client participation; models for communication expectations of behavior to clients; therapeutic verbal skills in music therapy sessions; proving feedback on, reflect, rephrase, and translate the client's communications; assisting the client in communicating more effectively; sequencing and pacing music experiences within a session according to the client's needs and situational factors; conducting or facilitating group and individual music therapy; implementing the music therapy treatment plan; promoting a sense of group cohesiveness and/or a feeling of group membership; developing and maintaining a repertoire of music for age, culture, and stylistic differences; recognition and appropriate response to effects of the client's medications; implementing new technologies as needed to support client progress towards treatment goals and objectives.

 

5)         Therapy evaluation:  methods for evaluating and measuring client progress and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies; realistic time frames for evaluating the effects of therapy; recognition of significant changes and patterns in the client’s response to therapy; recognition and appropriate response to situations in which there are clear and present dangers to the client and/or others; modification of treatment approaches based on the client's response to therapy; reviewing and revising treatment plans as needed.

 

6)         Documentation:  documentation that accurately reflects client outcomes and meets the requirements of legal, regulatory, and reimbursement bodies; documentation of clinical data; writing professional reports describing the client throughout all phases of the music therapy process in an accurate, concise, and objective manner; effective oral and written communication with the client and client's team members; documentation of revisions to the treatment plan; data-gathering techniques during all phases of the clinical process including assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination.

 

7)         Termination/Discharge planning:  assessing potential benefits or detriments of termination of music therapy; music therapy termination plan; integration of the music therapy termination plan with plans for the client's discharge from the facility; preparation of the client for approaching termination from music therapy; closure of music therapy services by time of termination or discharge.

 

8)         Professional role and ethics:  recognized and accepted music therapy ethics and standards; professional behavior with clients and other professionals; compliance with laws and regulations; confidentiality; music therapy service reimbursement and financing sources; ethical use of technology in any professional capacity.

 

9)         Interprofessional collaboration:  professional roles and duties; developing working relationships with other disciplines in client treatment programs; communication to other departments and staff the rationale for music therapy services and the role of the music therapist; the role of music therapy in the client's total treatment program; collaboration with team members in designing and implementing interdisciplinary treatment programs.

 

10)       Supervision and administration:  multiple forms of supervision; management and maintenance of music therapy equipment and supplies; routine administrative duties.

 

11)       Research methods:  use of professional research literature; purpose and methodology of historical, quantitative, and qualitative research; performing data-based literature searches; integration of the best available research, music therapists' expertise, and the needs, values, and preferences of the individuals served.