American Music Therapy Association
AMERICAN MUSIC THERAPY ASSOCIATION (AMTA)
AMTA was founded in 1998, its purpose is the progressive
development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and
community settings. Predecessors to the American Music Therapy Association included the
National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for
Music Therapy founded in 1971. AMTA is committed to the advancement of education,
training, professional standards, credentials, and research in support of the music
therapy profession.
GOVERNING BODIES
AMTA is governed by a 14-member Executive Board which consists of both elected and
appointed officers. Board meetings are held two or three times each year. Policies are set
by an Assembly of Delegates consisting of representatives from each of the Association's
eight regional chapters. Eleven standing committees represent the areas of: Clinical
Training, Education, Registration, Government Relations, Research, Standards and Special
Target Populations, Peer Review, Employment Relations, Continuing Education, International
Relations, and Affiliate Relations.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in AMTA consists of nine categories: professional, associate, student, inactive, retired, affiliate, patron, life, and honorary life. Over 3,800 individuals hold current AMTA
membership.
QUALIFICATION
A separate, independent organization, known as the Certification Board for Music
Therapists (CBMT), certifies music therapists. CBMT administers a national music therapy
certification examination which is officially recognized by the National Commission on
Certifying Agencies. The examination measures the individual's skills, knowledge, and
ability to engage in professional music therapy practice. Qualified individuals who pass
the national music therapy certification examiniation earn the credential, music
therapist, board certified, or MT-BC. The National Music Therapy Registry (NMTR) serves
qualified music therapy professionals with the following designations: RMT, CMT, ACMT.
These individuals have met accepted educational and clinical training standards and are
qualified to practice music therapy.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Music therapists participate in quality assurance reviews of clinical programs within
their facilities. In addition, AMTA provides several mechanisms for monitoring the quality
of music therapy programs which include: Standards of Practice, a Code of Ethics, a system
for Peer Review, a Judicial Review Board, and an Ethics Board.
PUBLICATIONS
AMTA's publications are excellent resources for practitioners and others. Official
publications include: the Journal of Music Therapy, a quarterly research-oriented
journal; Music Therapy Perspectives, a semi-annual, practice-oriented journal; Music
Therapy Matters, a quarterly newsletter; and a variety of other monographs,
bibliographies, and brochures.
CONFERENCES
AMTA holds an annual national meeting for the purpose of professional presentations and
conducting association business. The conference is held in the fall of the year. Other
symposiums and workshops are held as needed. In addition, each of AMTA's 8 regions holds a
conference in the spring of the year.
FUNDING
AMTA is funded by annual membership dues, sales of publications, charitable contributions,
and other revenue producing activities.
AFFILIATIONS
AMTA holds organizational membership in various coalitions including, the Consortium for
Citizens with Disabilities, the National Alliance of Pupil Services Organizations,
National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations, Rehabilitation Accredidation
Commission (CARF), National Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the National
Rehabilitation Caucus.
For more information write or call:
American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1000
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA
Phone: (301) 589-3300 Fax: (301) 589-5175
