Skip to main content
Welcome to the Office of the Professions’ newly redesigned website. Portions of this site may still be under development, so if you experience any issues or have any questions please submit a Website Feedback Form.
  • NYSED Homepage
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • NYSED Employment
  • Board Members Only

Frequently Asked Questions for Creative Arts Therapists - Education Requirements

Program leading to licensure in New York
Icon for the answer

The Department registers as licensure qualifying an education program that is offered in New York State and which it has determined includes the course content specified in Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations for the specific profession. If you graduated from a licensure qualifying program after its official date of registration, you will automatically satisfy the education requirements for licensure.

Please note that the Department registers a program that leads to a specific degree, which program includes the degree and content specified in Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations. Only the registered degree program is pre-approved; a degree from the same school in a different field is not license-qualifying. For instance, a graduate degree in school psychology is not licensure qualifying, even if offered by a university that offers a licensure qualifying graduate degree in mental health counseling.

Icon for the answer

The Inventory of Registered Programs (IRP) is accessible on-line and provides the name of each program that is registered as licensure qualifying by the Department. You can access the IRP here and search for programs leading to a license in the professions established under the Education Law. To get a list of licensure qualifying programs in a particular profession:

1) Choose “Search for programs leading to a professional license.”

2) On the scroll-down list, choose: “MEN HLTH COUNSL” (for Mental Health Counseling) “MAR/FAM THERAP” (for Marriage and Family Therapy) “CREATARTS THERAP” (for Creative Arts Therapy) “PSYCHOANALYST” (for Psychoanalysis) Then click on “Submit.” 3) You will then get a list of schools offering licensure qualifying programs in the chosen profession, including advanced certificates (if applicable).

Icon for the answer

You must submit a Form 2 to the registrar of the school where you completed the education program. The registrar must complete Form 2 and submit this directly to the Department, indicating that you completed a licensure qualifying program and the date the degree was or will be awarded. We cannot accept Form 2 from the applicant or any other person.

Icon for the answer

Only those individuals who graduate after the program is registered have completed a licensure qualifying program. For instance, if the program was registered on September 1, 2005, the school has promised the Department that every graduate after that date has completed the required program for licensure. A student who graduated prior to the licensure qualifying registration date must have the school submit directly to the Office of the Professions Form 2, transcripts, course syllabi, and other information that will allow the Bureau of Comparative Education to determine if the applicant satisfied education requirements equivalent to a licensure qualifying program. This review will be done on an individual, case-by-case basis. The applicant will be notified if additional information is required or if additional education or an internship must be completed to meet the education requirements for licensure in New York.

Education completed outside of New York
Icon for the answer

The Department does not register as licensure qualifying programs that are offered by institutions outside of New York. Except as otherwise provided in #6, each individual who graduates from a program outside of New York must apply for licensure and then be individually evaluated to determine if the applicant has satisfied education requirements equivalent to a New York licensure qualifying program. The Bureau of Comparative Education will review the Form 2, transcript, course syllabi, and other information that is submitted directly by the college or university. The applicant will be notified if additional information is required or if additional education or an internship must be completed to meet the education requirements for licensure in New York.

Icon for the answer

The Department has determined that programs accredited by the following organizations in the specific professions are equivalent to a New York State-registered program:

  • Masters or higher degree in mental health counseling of 60 semester hours (or more) accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) under its 2009 Standards;
  • Masters or higher degree program in marriage and family therapy accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) under its 2005 Standards;
  • Masters or higher degree program in art therapy that is accredited by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) under its 2007 Standards;
  • Post-masters program in psychoanalysis that is accredited by the American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis (ABAP) under its 2002 Standards.

An applicant who did not complete a New York State licensure qualifying program or an accredited program, as defined above, must have an individual review of education as described above (#What if I graduated from a program that is outside of New York?).

Icon for the answer

The Department will accept a degree program that is completely or partially offered on-line, if the program meets the accreditation standards above (#6). If you complete a distance-learning program at a regionally accredited school outside New York that is not accredited by one of the organizations above, we will review the transcript, course syllabi, and internship to determine whether the program is equivalent to a New York licensure qualifying program after the application for licensure and fee have been received.

Icon for the answer

Effective January 1, 2006, only persons who are licensed, hold limited permits, or are exempt pursuant to Article 163 may practice as mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, creative arts therapists, or psychoanalysts. Section 8410(3) of the Education Law allows the practice of the professions by a "student, intern, or resident in, and as part of, a supervised educational program in an institution approved by the Department."

A school that is outside of New York and seeks to place student interns in New York must be accredited by an organization acceptable to the Department for that profession, as defined in Question 6 above. The school is responsible for identifying and approving a placement and supervisor, consistent with New York law. The supervisor and the setting must meet the same qualifications as set forth in the Commissioner’s Regulations for the post-degree, supervised experience in the profession.

New York colleges and universities seeking additional information should contact Professional Education Program Review at OPPROGS@nysed.gov.

Satisfying additional educational requirements for licensure
Icon for the answer

If you did not complete a licensure qualifying program, the Bureau of Comparative Education will evaluate your transcript, course syllabi, and other material to determine if your education is the equivalent to a licensure qualifying program in New York State. For each profession, the regulations specify (1) an acceptable qualifying degree program (e.g., counseling or marriage and family therapy) and (2) the required course content.

  • If you have not earned a qualifying degree, regardless of specific course content and supervised internship, you may be required to complete a new degree in a qualifying degree program, including all required course content and supervised internship. Advanced standing status would be up to each school/college.
  • If you have earned a qualifying degree, but lack a few courses or a supervised internship, it is likely that you can complete additional graduate coursework or supervised internship on a non-matriculated basis through an acceptable graduate degree program.
  • If you currently are enrolled in an education program that is not licensure qualifying in New York, you may wish to review with your academic advisor your program of study and the education requirements for licensure in New York. It may be possible to complete the courses as part of your current education program or you may choose to seek advanced standing at another degree-granting institution that offers a licensure qualifying program.
  • If internship and practice courses that require students to assess and treat patients under supervision are to be completed in New York State, they can only be completed by a student enrolled in a licensure qualifying program or in a program that has been granted permission to do business in New York, as described in #8.
  • In general, all course work must be completed for graduate credit at a college or university registered in New York or regionally accredited (or the equivalent in another country).
  • Please note that non-credit bearing continuing education courses are not accepted for licensure.
  • The Education Law does not authorize the substitution of experience or credentials for the education required to become licensed in one of the mental health professions. However, an individual who has been licensed in the profession and practicing for at least 5 of the 10 years prior to application for licensure in New York, may be eligible to apply for licensure by endorsement. For more information, please see question #22 below or the requirements for licensure on our website.
Icon for the answer

We are only able to accept credited, graduate-level coursework toward the education requirements for licensure, including the supervised internship. At a minimum, the internship must be part of the graduate educational program and reported on the transcript of an educational institution acceptable to the Department. The internship must be legally completed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where the internship occurs. The student intern must engage in the practice of the profession as defined in statute and be under the supervision of a qualified supervisor who is appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction.

In order to complete the internship, the intern must be legally authorized to practice the profession under supervision as part of an education program. This means the internship must be:

  • Part of a New York State licensure qualifying program in the profession, as a matriculated or non-matriculated student; OR
  • Until January 1, 2016, in an exempt setting, as defined in Education Law; OR
  • Completed in another jurisdiction as part of a graduate educational program that leads to a degree in the profession in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction, acceptable to the Department; OR
  • Completed in another jurisdiction as part of a graduate educational program that leads to a degree in the profession in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction, acceptable to the Department; OR
  • Completed in another manner, acceptable to the Department.

Except as authorized under New York law, the internship may not count toward the experience requirement for licensure in the profession.

Icon for the answer

If you are seeking licensure in mental health counseling, creative arts therapy, or in marriage and family therapy based on a degree in an allied field, you must have post-degree hours of supervised experience in the practice of the profession. If the Bureau of Comparative Education determines that you have a qualifying graduate degree but need additional coursework to meet the content requirements, we can count any experience after the date of that acceptable degree. However, if the Bureau of Comparative Education determines that you need to complete a new degree to qualify for licensure, we can count only that experience after the date you received the new degree.

For instance, licensure as a mental health counselor requires a 60 semester-hour degree in counseling with required course content and supervised internship in mental health counseling. An applicant with a master’s in school counseling/psychology, counseling psychology, or community counseling may only have to complete additional coursework in mental health counseling and supervised internship in mental health counseling, but would not have to complete a new degree, since the original degree is in "counseling” as determined by the Department. Another applicant with a graduate degree in human services, liberal studies, or another field may have related courses (e.g., human development, cultural aspects of counseling) but does not have a qualifying graduate degree, acceptable to the Department, or the majority of required content in mental health counseling. This applicant would be required to complete a new degree program (but may qualify for advanced standing at a licensure qualifying program – see question # 15 for more information). In this case, only experience after the second degree can count toward licensure.

Icon for the answer

As referenced in question #10, we are only able to accept credited, graduate-level coursework toward the education requirements for licensure, including the supervised internship and, therefore, we are unable to accept independently arranged supervised work experience. The determination of an acceptable internship site is the responsibility of the education program, which has affirmed that every student will be supervised by a licensed or qualified professional. If your regular employment is determined to be acceptable for the internship, it should be clear who is providing supervision of your practice and evaluating your internship for educational credit.

An intern practicing in New York must be under the supervision of an individual who is licensed and qualified to practice the profession being supervised. The supervisor is responsible for the assessment and treatment of each patient and must be on-site. You cannot have a supervisor who is in another jurisdiction or receive supervision by phone or other technology.

If the education program places students in an internship outside of New York, the experience must be supervised by a licensed and qualified supervisor in that jurisdiction and constitute the practice of the profession in New York.

Requirements are established in Law and Regulation
Icon for the answer

Article 163 of the Education Law sets the general requirements for licensure, including graduate education, supervised experience and examination. The requirements to be met by a program that is licensure qualifying in New York are in the Commissioner’s Regulations:

  • Section 52.32 for Mental Health Counseling
  • Section 52.33 for Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Section 52.34 for Creative Arts Therapy
  • Section 52.35 for Psychoanalysis

You can access the Law and Regulations online.

Education for licensure in Mental Health Counseling
Icon for the answer
  • 14a. If I complete a 48 semester-hour licensure qualifying program and applied for licensure prior to January 1, 2010, will I have to complete additional course work?

    No, you would not need to complete additional course work. You must meet all other requirements for licensure, including supervised post-degree experience, moral character and examination.

  • 14b. If I completed a 48 semester-hour licensure qualifying program prior to January 1, 2010 and apply for licensure after that date, will I have to complete additional course work?

    Yes. You must also meet all other requirements for licensure, including supervised post-degree experience, moral character and examination.

  • 14c. If I enrolled in a 48 semester-hour licensure qualifying program but do not complete the education until after January 1, 2010, do I need 60 semester hours?

    Yes. A licensure qualifying educational program is not authorized to award a 48-semester hour degree in mental health counseling after December 31, 2009. You will be required to complete a 60-semester hour licensure qualifying program to receive a degree after January 1, 2010.

Icon for the answer

An applicant for licensure as a mental health counselor must meet the requirements for a master’s or higher degree in “counseling” that includes specified content in mental health counseling. A degree that qualifies for certification as a school counselor or school psychologist generally is not sufficient to meet the requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor. You must complete additional graduate coursework, including supervised internship in mental health counseling, to meet the requirements for licensure.

For instance, an applicant with a master’s in liberal studies or human services may be required to earn a new graduate degree in counseling, including required content. The following are the available options for completing additional required coursework:

  1. An education program registered as licensure qualifying in mental health counseling may admit a student with a master’s degree, in school counseling or a related profession, give credit for classes already completed or waive certain classes required for the licensure qualifying program. It is up to the individual school to determine what coursework can be transferred/accepted as advanced standing in the new program. The education program would require the student to matriculate in the licensure qualifying program and complete specific graduate coursework and internship in mental health counseling. Upon completion, the student would be certified by the Registrar as having completed a licensure qualifying program and awarded a new master’s or higher degree in counseling.
  2. An individual with a master’s in school counseling could apply for licensure and individual evaluation by the Education Department. The Department would provide the student with a list of deficiencies in coursework and/or internship. If agreed to by the school, the student could enroll as a non-matriculated student in a program registered as licensure qualifying in mental health counseling. Upon completion of the coursework, the Registrar would submit Form 2 and a transcript to the Department to verify the graduate coursework and/or internship in mental health counseling that were completed by the student in that institution. The Department would evaluate the prior counseling degree and the supplemental graduate education to determine if the student has completed a program that is substantially equivalent to a licensure qualifying program.
  3. The Education Department has registered several “bridge” programs at institutions that also have a license-qualifying degree program in mental health counseling. Completion of the “bridge” program, in addition to the original graduate degree in counseling or a related field, would  allow  the student to meet the education requirements for licensure. This type of program would require each student to meet specific admission criteria (e.g., 48 semester hour degree in school counseling/psychology) and complete required course content such as:
    1. psychopathology;
    2. assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples, families and groups;
    3. professional orientation and ethics;
    4. foundations of mental health counseling and consultation;
    5. clinical instruction; and
    6. include a supervised internship or supervised practicum in mental health counseling of at least one-year, defined as at least 600 clock hours for purposes of this section.
  4. A school that offers a “bridge” program that is not registered by the Department cannot assure the student that he/she will meet all education requirements upon graduation. Since the student did not complete a licensure qualifying program, the Department must individually evaluate the students’ academic transcript(s).
  5. An individual with a master’s in school counseling/psychology could enroll as a non-matriculated student in an education program, assuming that his/her education does not meet the requirements for licensure. The student would complete graduate coursework and/or internship in mental health counseling based on advice from the education program. Upon completion of the coursework, the Registrar would submit Form 2 and a transcript to the Department to verify the graduate coursework and/or internship in mental health counseling that were completed by the student in that institution. The Department would evaluate the prior master’s degree and the supplemental graduate education to determine if the student has completed a program that is substantially equivalent to a licensure qualifying program. In this case, it may be determined that the student has not met the requirements, as the course selection was made prior to any evaluation by the Department.
Education for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy
Icon for the answer

The Education Law sets out separate experience requirements for licensure, based on the applicant’s graduate education. An applicant for licensure in marriage and family therapy can meet the education requirement with a degree in marriage and family therapy or in an allied mental health field. In the first case, pre-degree experience may be acceptable; in the latter case, only post-degree experience is acceptable under the law. Regardless of the qualifying degree, all experience, including supervised experience as part of the degree program, must be verified by a qualified supervisor, acceptable to the Department.

A program that is registered by the Department as licensure qualifying in marriage and family therapy, or determined by the Department to be the equivalent, will award a master’s or doctoral degree on the basis of meeting the curriculum requirements, including a supervised practicum in marriage and family therapy of at least 300 client contact hours. The Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations allow supervised client contact hours completed in the marriage and family therapy program to count toward the 1,500 client contact hours of supervised experience required for licensure.

An applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist may meet the education requirements through the completion of a master’s or higher degree in an allied profession (e.g., social work, psychology, counseling) and additional graduate course work, if needed. Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations require an applicant with a degree in a field other than marriage and family therapy to complete 1,500 client contact hours of post-degree, supervised experience in marriage and family therapy, acceptable to the Department.

Education for licensure in Psychoanalysis
Icon for the answer

In order to be admitted to a licensure qualifying program in psychoanalysis, the registered program must determine that you received a master’s degree in any field from a program registered by the Education Department or regionally accredited.

If you completed international graduate studies, you should apply to the Office of the Professions for licensure as a psychoanalyst to verify that you meet the prerequisite education requirements PRIOR TO ENROLLING in an education program that leads to licensure in psychoanalysis. This requires that you submit the application (Form 1), fee, and have your school submit Form 2A with the official transcript for evaluation by Comparative Education. You will be notified if the education is acceptable or if additional course work or degree is required in order to meet the prerequisite for entry into a program leading to licensure in psychoanalysis. Please see additional information about OP's evaluation of foreign transcripts at: http:/about/general-information-policies.

In order to qualify for a license or limited permit to practice psychoanalysis, the Department must receive verification from both the college or university where you received the master’s degree and from the psychoanalytic training program. Individuals who did not complete a licensure qualifying psychoanalytic program will be evaluated individually to determine if the program was the equivalent of a licensure qualifying program. The Department cannot count any psychoanalytic study earned prior to completion of the master’s degree.

Education for Licensure in Creative Arts Therapy
Icon for the answer

No. A degree in another major, such as Master of Music Performance, cannot be accepted. A graduate degree program specifically in creative arts therapy is required. Also, appropriate graduate college study is required in the various content areas designated in law for this profession.

Icon for the answer

You need to be enrolled in a graduate creative arts therapy program and obtain appropriate graduate college credit for the practicum or internship on an official university transcript. We may need additional details from the head of the school’s academic department (on a form provided by the Office of the Professions) noting the location, on-site supervisor’s qualifications, total clock hours, location, and other details on the practicum/internship.

Your practicum/internship needs to be in creative arts therapy with a focus on psychotherapy, include the use of appropriate mental health diagnosis tools (such as DSM), and be supervised by a person with appropriate clinical credentials and competent in the use of the creative arts in psychotherapy, such as a licensed creative arts therapist or licensed clinical social worker.

Additional information
Icon for the answer

Licensure in one profession does not guarantee licensure in a second profession. If you want to be licensed in another profession, you must meet all requirements for licensure mandated for that profession, including the education and experience requirements.

If you are licensed as a physician, physician assistant, registered professional nurse, nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed psychologist, and competent in the practice of mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, creative arts therapy or psychoanalysis, you may not need another license to practice the profession. You can demonstrate competence through the completion of continuing education, specialized training, and similar professional activities. Those activities must be completed in accordance with the requirements of your license and you may not hold yourself out as licensed in any profession in which you do not actually hold a license.

For instance, the practice of licensed clinical social work includes the practice of psychoanalysis. If you are an LCSW, you may complete training in psychoanalysis and would not need to be licensed as a psychoanalyst, so long as you do not imply that you are a “licensed psychoanalyst”. However, if you wish to become a licensed psychoanalyst you must complete an acceptable psychoanalytic program, supervised experience in psychoanalysis and examination. You can review the requirements for licensure and the definition of practice of all professions established under the Education Law on our website.

Icon for the answer

You have the option to either:

(1) Withdraw your application and request a refund of the three-year registration fee that you submitted with your application. If you apply in the future you would have to pay the full fee and meet all requirements for licensure at that time.

Or

(2) Maintain your application and meet the “standard” requirements for licensure in effect at the time of your original application, including a graduate degree with required content, supervised experience and examination. If you wish to pursue this option, you should contact licensure qualifying programs and review your qualifications with the program to determine what courses would be required to meet the outstanding education requirements and/or earn a new qualifying degree. When you complete the required education, you would qualify for a limited permit to allow supervised practice while meeting the experience and examination requirements.

Please remember that an individual who practices a profession that requires licensure without being licensed or exempt, as defined in the Education Law, could be charged with illegal practice of a profession, which is a felony. A felony conviction would be considered a question as to whether you have acceptable moral character to qualify for a license or limited permit to practice one of the licensed professions in the future.

Icon for the answer

There is no reciprocity for a professional license. An applicant must meet the requirements for graduate education, including specific course work and internship, supervised experience and examination, as established in the Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations. The Department may endorse the license of an applicant who is licensed in another jurisdiction in the same profession who meets the requirements for endorsement, as set out in the Commissioner’s Regulations for that profession. The requirements include licensure under comparable standards, including graduate education and experience; evidence of at least 5 years of licensed practice in the profession in the 10 years prior to application in New York; passing the same examination required for licensure in New York; verification from each jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed, including verification he/she has not been disciplined in that jurisdiction; and good moral character as determined by the Department.

Icon for the answer

Effective January 1, 2006, the Education Law restricts the practice of mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, creative arts therapy and psychoanalysis to individuals who are licensed or exempt. An amendment to the Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations allowed individuals who applied for licensure prior to January 1, 2006 under the special provisions to have until December 31, 2006 to document having met the education and experience requirements for licensure. All education and experience for licensure under the grandparent provisions must have been completed by December 31, 2006 to qualify for licensure. If you did not meet these requirements, you may be evaluated under the standard pathway to licensure. Please refer to question # 9 for information about completing additional course work or degree requirements for licensure.

Icon for the answer

If you are enrolled in a licensure qualifying program, you may only practice the profession under supervision as part of the required internship or practicum. In general, you may not practice outside of the supervised setting that is part of your education program; an exception would be an individual in a program that is defined as exempt from licensure until July 1, 2016. Even if allowed under the 2016 exemption, you would not be able to use a title that is restricted under Article 163 of the Education Law. Once you complete the licensure qualifying program and receive your degree, you may not practice until you have received a limited permit or license from the Department.

You can access more information about limited permits, including frequently asked questions, fees, and instructions for submitting the permit application, on this site.