How to Verify a Music Therapist Certification (MT-BC)

The MT-BC credential

The MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) is the sole nationally recognized credential for music therapists in the United States. It is issued and maintained by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), an independent credentialing organization separate from the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

To earn the MT-BC, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a AMTA-approved music therapy program, complete 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training (including a final internship), and pass the board certification examination (BCME). The credential must be renewed every five years through continuing music therapy education (CMTE) credits.

Older equivalency credentials (RMT, CMT, ACMT) were issued before 1985 and are recognized as equivalent to the MT-BC. If you encounter one of these legacy credentials, confirm that the individual also holds or has maintained a current MT-BC equivalent status through CBMT.

How to verify MT-BC certification

CBMT provides a free public credential verification tool on its website:

1. Go to cbmt.org
2. Navigate to “Verify a Credential” or the credential lookup tool
3. Search by the music therapist's first and last name
4. Confirm: MT-BC status (Active), certification number, and renewal date
5. Check for any disciplinary actions or suspended status

MT-BC credentials expire on a 5-year cycle. An expired credential means the individual is no longer board certified and should not represent themselves as an MT-BC. CBMT allows reinstatement for lapsed credentials within certain timeframes, so a recently expired credential may indicate administrative delay rather than abandonment — but active employment requires active certification.

State licensure for music therapists

Music therapy is a regulated profession in a growing number of states. As of 2025, states including Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and others have enacted music therapy practice acts or licensure requirements. State licenses are typically separate from MT-BC certification and issued by the state's health professions licensing board.

For states that do license music therapists, search “[state] music therapy license board” or the state health professions licensing portal. Verify that the state license is active and matches the therapist's name.

AMTA membership — useful but not a credential

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is the professional membership organization for music therapists. AMTA membership is separate from MT-BC certification — many MT-BCs are not AMTA members, and AMTA membership alone does not verify that someone is board certified.

When verifying credentials, focus on the MT-BC through CBMT, not AMTA membership status. AMTA does maintain a therapist directory at musictherapy.org, which can help locate practitioners, but it does not replace CBMT's verification system.

Music therapy vs. music education and wellness programs

“Music therapy” is sometimes used loosely to describe music education, wellness classes, or recreational music programs. Actual clinical music therapy is a healthcare intervention delivered by a credentialed MT-BC addressing documented clinical goals (pain management, cognitive rehabilitation, mental health treatment, developmental goals in pediatric settings).

For billing through insurance, Medicaid, or school IEP services, the provider must hold the MT-BC credential. Music teachers, recreational music directors, or sound bath practitioners do not qualify for clinical music therapy roles.

Red flags

• MT-BC credential cannot be found at cbmt.org
• Expired MT-BC — 5-year renewal cycle; confirm active status
• Credential listed as “MT” or “Music Therapist” without “BC” designation
• AMTA membership cited as the credential, rather than CBMT board certification
• No state license in a state that requires music therapy licensure
• Degree from a non-AMTA-approved music therapy program
• Disciplinary action listed in CBMT records

Verification checklist