“As practitioners, YOU are the voice of your profession,” said Sarah Laing, MMEd, MT-BC, who chairs the Practice Analysis Committee shepherding this year’s process.

The practice of music therapy is a living, breathing process that changes, develops, and improves over time. That’s why every five years, CBMT undertakes a new Practice Analysis process to update CBMT’s credentialling exam for the music therapy profession. The goal is to incorporate changes in the way music therapy is evolving.

There are two steps that involve the community of MT-BCs:

Select a representative group of MT-BCs to make up the Practice Analysis Committee (PAC)

☐ Send a survey to every active MT-BC – coming soon!

The last Practice Analysis was completed in 2019, and the process for the new 2024 Practice Analysis was kicked off last year with the selection of the 10 new members for the current PAC.

Since CBMT’s primary responsibility is to administer the certifying examination for the MT-BC credential, it is essential the exam is based on the music therapy Practice Analysis – valid job analysis data is collected and extrapolated with participation of current MT-BCs.

During the 2019 Practice Analysis process, many MT-BCs participated, including those living outside the U.S. from 10 other countries. With over 10,000 current MT-BCs, CBMT expects to see even wider participation this year.

The Role of the New Practice Analysis Committee

Every PAC member holds the MT-BC credential, and all are practitioners and educators who apply and are appointed to the committee by the CBMT Board’s Development Committee. The PAC is intended to represent a cross-section of MT-BCs that have been certified by CBMT.

The Practice Analysis process validates the tasks performed and the knowledge needed to provide safe and effective practice. Survey participants are asked to respond to the survey by providing a realistic portrayal of their actual experience as a music therapist.

“The Practice Analysis process involves the entire MT-BC community,” said CBMT’s new Executive Director, Jennifer Mankowski, BSN, RN. “MT-BC Committee volunteers work directly with the testing vendor, and invite current board-certified music therapists to participate in the process through the Practice Analysis Survey. The information provided in the survey is used as a basis for the development of the examination. The MT-BC community of professionals and their participation in the Practice Analysis Survey is an essential step in the process.”

To participate in the survey you must have an updated email address in your CBMT account.

Impact Your Profession – Complete the Survey Coming Soon

The work of the new PAC members began in earnest earlier this year.  The PAC is now completing the new Practice Analysis Survey that will be emailed to all board-certified music therapists in late September. Data regarding music therapy knowledge and skills is collected on the detailed survey.

“The Committee has developed a new Practice Analysis Survey where each of you has the opportunity to identify your actual on-the-job requirements,” Sarah said. “As the field of music therapy continues to morph, it is essential that these competencies are accurately reflected in the Board Certification Domains. These domains, in turn, drive the Examination content.”

Completed surveys will be due in October, and the data analysis on the survey results will occur when the completed surveys are received.

Hear more from PAC members about the importance of the survey and your role in the Practice Analysis.

The Relevance and Impact of CBMT’s Board Certification Domains

Board Certification Domains define the body of knowledge that represents competent practice in the profession of music therapy. And, continuing education credits must relate to an area identified in the Board Certification Domains.

“Be empowered to advance the music therapy profession and ensure your experience is reflected in the Practice Analysis,” urged Alaine E. Reschke-Hernandez, PhD, MT-BC, Chair, Continuing Education Committee. “In this grassroots effort, your voice influences the evolution of the Board Certification Domains and has a ripple effect on the design of continuing education opportunities and state of the profession for years to come.”

The new test questions developed through this process will be incorporated into the CBMT Board Certification exam beginning in the fall of 2025, after being pre-tested to ensure content validity and reliability. Where changes are noted, questions may be revised. Older exam questions that are no longer relevant are retired.

Andrea Crimmins, PhD, MT-BC, Chair of the CBMT Board of Directors, reminds us all: “We need every board-certified music therapist to participate in this very important process by taking the time to thoroughly and conscientiously complete the survey. The collective information gathered from all music therapists best represents current practices across regions, clinical areas, and philosophical backgrounds.”

About CBMT Practice Analysis
The Practice Analysis is developed using guidelines issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and American Psychological Association standards for test validation. CBMT also works with a testing firm, PSI, and adheres to the guidelines of the American Educational Research Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education. The MT-BC program is accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies, the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, ICE, which additionally requires these practices to be followed. Board-certified music therapists must practice within the Board Certification Domains and adhere to the CBMT Code of Professional Practice.

The post 2024 CBMT Practice Analysis: MT-BC Survey Coming Soon appeared first on CBMT.

The Practice Analysis Committee (PAC) members, as well as members of the Continuing Education Committee and the Executive Board of Directors, reiterate the fact that the process belongs to “all of us.” Our CBMT volunteers share the importance of universal participation below. Read more about the process.

“My experience on this committee was pleasant and informative. I feel that all the participating members, as board-certified music therapists, had a wealth of knowledge and experience; to be able to work together and collaborate on ways to keep the profession moving forward and recognized was crucial. It was an honor to contribute my expertise and experience as a clinician amongst other clinicians and educators to ensure that a music therapist’s tasks within the scope of practice were valid and relevant.

I initially decided to volunteer to gain a better perspective of music therapists as a whole within the field. What I didn’t know is that I gained a lot more about our role as music therapists in the community, schools, organizations, and clinical settings. The excitement of those I collaborated with contributed to my own willingness to volunteer and help any way I could.

The music therapy community is small but mighty. One music therapist’s experience does not summarize or replace another’s experience. In order to keep the profession moving forward requires the input of every music therapist possible.

Because we work with a multitude of populations, the experience and input from the surveys are so important to make sure the services we provide are clinical.

The more people participate, the more diverse the input, thus having a stronger representative of the communities we serve as music therapists. The more input provided will help serve other music therapists as well.” – Gloria Blankenship, MM, MT-BC, LPMT, NICU-MT, Music Therapist, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Kennesaw GA

“The Practice Analysis Committee work has been the ultimate collaborative experience. We are all music therapists, but we have various roles as practitioners, educators, and scholars, endeavoring to take a thoughtful inventory of the music therapy knowledge needed to practice in the past, the present, and the future.

It’s exciting to focus on music therapy’s uniqueness and the knowledge music therapists need to be successful in their practice and accountable to their clients.

Our profession is not one size fits all, and identifying the core responsibilities of an entry-level music therapist presents many challenges. The Practice Analysis committee has worked thoughtfully to hone in on what is essential to music therapy practice for certification exam candidates. Your survey responses will bring to light the most crucial knowledge required to be a credentialed music therapist.

Our music therapy community is inquisitive, and we frequently receive survey invitations from our peers. Your responses to this survey will shape the target areas tested in future music therapy certification exams. Your response directly impacts what new music therapists will be asked to show knowledge on in future music therapy certification exams.

The committee cannot do this work in isolation. Your responses will give the committee a clear focus to align the exam with current music therapy practice.” – Beth Collier, MBA, LPMT, MT-BC, Music Specialist, A.G. Rhodes, Atlanta, GA

“This is the second time I have served on this CBMT committee, and both experiences have been highly positive, and the process has evolved since I last served in 2008. This committee has worked well together, having productive and respectful discussions when perspectives differed in how practices differed among the group.

I believe it is necessary to give back to the profession and the community at large through service. I have been active in service to the music therapy profession for over 20 years and value the broader perspective I gain about the profession and the professional relationships that are built. I am excited about the work we have done that builds upon the previous PAC committee’s work for the profession to continue moving forward and to provide future candidates with materials that support their preparation for the exam.

Please complete the PAC Survey as we need/want the larger community perspective on the knowledge needed for entry-level practice. The committee has worked hard to keep the user demographic (entry-level professional) in mind as we worked and need your feedback to further refine the content outline. I recognize that everyone gets a lot of survey requests. This particular request only happens once every five years. Please support the profession and our future colleagues by completing it.

It takes all of us working together to promote the profession and the MT-BC credential.” – Jennifer Fiore, PhD, MT-BC, NMT, Associate Professor and Director of Music Therapy, Western Michigan University, Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, Kalamazoo, MI

“My experience as a volunteer on the CBMT Practice Analysis committee allowed me to meet and interact with Music Therapists working in different areas as well as professors of music therapy. These interactions were encouraging as well as enlightening as we discussed the actual tasks of music therapists.

I decided to volunteer for the Practice Analysis committee as many of the issues facing the profession of music therapy have been addressed for many years, some with resolution and others continuing to evolve. I have worked as a music therapist for 40 years, so I want to contribute my knowledge and experience for the process of board certification.

I am encouraging all Board-Certified Music Therapists to complete the survey to ensure the high standards and reality of our practice in the health care field are verified.

Our MT-BC credential requires a high level of standards of practice and needs to be distinguishable. We need to continue to elevate our profession to a higher level where reimbursement is not even questioned.” – Amy Post Formella, MS, MT-BC, Music Therapist, King, WI

“I volunteered for CBMT service because this organization represents music therapists – all of us, in every area of clinical practice. I am excited to learn more about CBMT in this important year when the Scope of Practice is updated by surveying the community.

We get a lot of surveys these days! But this is no run-of-the-mill survey. The Practice Analysis Survey is an essential tool for music therapists to continue to define our professional practice. Please, stop, click, and complete the survey.

We are making strides in our state recognition efforts. Advocacy is a marathon, and we are still running. The MT-BC credential is the foundation of our professional recognition. Your support of the MT-BC credential ensures safe, effective music therapy for the public.” – Jennifer D. Jones, PhD, MT-BC, Professor of Music and Director of Music Therapy, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL

“Giving back to the profession that I care about so deeply has been an honor that I haven’t taken lightly. Over the past 5½ years and through two committees, I have worked with music therapists who come from different regions, theoretical orientations, and educational backgrounds. We all share the same desire to be of service to our profession and this has truly led to incredibly impactful and meaningful changes.

Several friends/colleagues had mentioned to me, over many years, that they felt I could truly be of service to CBMT, especially given my longtime and varied clinical experience, as well as my love of helping new music therapists. Simultaneously, as my interns completed their time with me, they would reach out with their board certification exam experiences; both good and not so good. Throughout those conversations, they also encouraged me to think about joining a committee at CBMT so that I could be an advocate for keeping the exam updated and relevant.

When I was offered a position on the exam committee 5½ years ago, I was honored to give back to my profession in this unique way. My experience at CBMT has been remarkably gratifying; both in the changes we’ve made over the years and in working so closely with the other committee members.

It is imperative that each music therapist give their feedback in this survey. Much like voting, one can only impact change by taking an active role in the process. The only way we can make the changes that are truly desired by our professionals, is by knowing exactly what is needed, and we can’t do that without everyone’s input.

The value of having a board-certified music therapist lies in the assurance that this person, the person you are entrusting with the wellbeing of your loved one, is an educated professional, practicing with the highest regard for safety, excellence, and accountability.

The only way to ensure this is that the profession of music therapy maintains credentialing standards that reflect current, evidenced based research, (in a multitude of areas and practices) as well as establishing the highest accountability for excellence in clinical practice as possible. We need the help of every board-certified music therapist out there to maintain these standards of excellence! – Laura Lenz, LPMT, MT-BC, Community Therapeutic Programming Manager, Third Ladder, Alpharetta, GA

“Serving on the Practice Analysis Committee has been an amazing experience in so many ways. It’s truly an honor to be working alongside a dedicated group of colleagues from across the country who care deeply about the music therapy profession, led by a skilled psychometrician from PSI Services! Everyone is given an opportunity to contribute. All opinions are valued, and group consensus is achieved admirably, as a result!

I have long been interested in serving on the Practice Analysis Committee. This work is certainly among the most important and impactful tasks that the Certification Board for Music Therapists is charged with. The entire process is fascinating!

Please know that completing the Practice Analysis Survey when it reaches your email box will make a difference. The findings, which YOU will have contributed to, will be reflective of the changes and developments in our field over the past five years. From this information, our Board Certification Domains will be re-developed. CBMT must have a full and complete picture of the job of a music therapist at this point in time. We need your voice!” – Lori Lundeen-Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, LPMT, MT-BC, Associate Professor of Practice, Director of Clinical Education, Department of Music Therapy, College of Health, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

“Be empowered to advance the music therapy profession and ensure your experience is reflected in the Practice Analysis. In this grassroots effort, your voice influences the evolution of the Board Certification Domains and has a ripple effect on the design of continuing education opportunities and state of the profession for years to come. That is survey time well-spent.” – Alaine E. Reschke-Hernández, PhD, MT-BC, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy, Affiliate Faculty Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, IMPACT-AD Fellow Alumna, Interdisciplinary Music Affect and coGNition (IMAGN) Lab Director, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

“Through the Practice Analysis, each and every one of us may have an opportunity to contribute to the certification/continuing education for music  therapists. This is the time for us to take responsibility to move our profession forward.” – Hong-Yu (Joseph) Chang, MME, MT-BC, Continuing Education Committee Member

“We need every board-certified music therapist to participate in this very important process by taking the time to thoroughly and conscientiously complete the survey. The collective information gathered from all music therapists best represents current practices across regions, clinical areas, and philosophical backgrounds.” – Andrea Crimmins, PhD, MT-BC, Chair, CBMT Board of Directors, Associate Professor of Music Therapy, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

“As the field of music therapy continues to morph, it is essential that these competencies are accurately reflected in the Board Certification Domains. As practitioners, YOU are the voice of your profession. The Practice Analysis Committee, in conjunction with PSI, has developed a new Practice Analysis Survey where each of you have the opportunity to identify your actual on-the-job requirements. These domains, in turn, drive the Examination content.

I started volunteering with CBMT in 2007 after I realized the extent to which CBMT protected the patrons, and profession, of music therapy. Staff actively supported me in educating the community about what music therapy REALLY is, and the competencies required to administer such a service, when compared to those professionals without the MT-BC accreditation.

By completing the survey, you are a contributing factor in determining the proficiency of Board-Certified Music Therapists, thereby promoting a better understanding of our craft. Your voice will ensure MT-BC accreditation holds the highest standard of practice thereby protecting the consumer.” – Sarah Laing MMEd, MT-BC, Practice Analysis Committee Chair, Music Therapist, Clinician, Educator and Independent Contractor, Tucson, AZ

Click here for the complete list of Practice Analysis Committee Members.

The post CBMT Volunteer Voices Call for Participation appeared first on CBMT.

After years of development, this past fall, CBMT unveiled a new database designed to better connect certified music therapists (certificants) with opportunities for ongoing education. On the database, CBMT has a list of over 125 Approved Providers offering more than 300 courses, referred to as “opportunities,” for music therapists preparing for recertification.

“We wanted to develop a database that our certificants could easily search – something a little more interactive – on a platform that would allow Approved Providers to be able to display their courses with links directly to their websites and promotional pages for the courses,” said Hindi Burkett CBMT Continuing Education Coordinator, who has spearheaded the development of the new database.

Previously, it existed as a spreadsheet and was updated manually via email communication. Now, it’s a streamlined experience. The database is basically an interactive search tool – a jumping off point – that leads certificants to additional information about Approved Providers and the opportunities they have available.

Certificants can search by keyword or by opportunity type – recorded vs. not recorded, or asynchronous vs. synchronous. Each column is filterable, so certificants can easily refine their search based on their specific criteria. They can use the dropdown arrows at the top, free type in the search bar, or filter each column within the search results for more narrow results.

Opportunities are only approved for a one-year period. If you see an opportunity in the database that is expired, you can reach out to the Approved Provider to see if they are offering the opportunity again.

Since 1983, CBMT has been certifying music therapists and working to ensure the lifelong learning that is so important in the practice of music therapy. CBMT’s formal Recertification Program began in 1988 to ensure continuing competence and meet accreditation requirements for its certificants.

The recertification process for music therapists is designed to enhance each certificant’s knowledge through continuing education, professional development, and professional service opportunities. These three recertification categories reflect the outcomes of CBMT’s Practice Analysis Study and are relevant to the skills, abilities, and practical understanding required of the MT-BC certification.

Simplifying that process and providing CBMT certificants with opportunities provided by CBMT Approved Providers has been a long time goal.

Alaine Reschke-Hernandez, PhD, MT-BC and Chair, CBMT Continuing Education Committee, said the Committee’s work specifically addresses how to support and challenge music therapists to continually learn and grow. “Lifelong learning is crucial to ensure that board-certified music therapists provide quality services,” she said. The Continuing Education Committee is the official body that reviews all applications to approve an individual or organization to become an Approved Provider. CBMT offers a step-by-step video that explains the process in detail.

Prior to our new interactive database, it was just an Excel spreadsheet. We wanted something more interactive that would better link our certificants with Approved Provider opportunities.

                                                      – Hindi Burkett

CBMT Executive Director Joy Schneck, MM, MT-BC, is proud that CBMT offers such a robust array of continuing education opportunities – together with this new online database that makes the choices so much easier to access.

It was Einstein who said, “Everything must be made as simple as possible,” and there’s a benefit to doing so. While there’s nothing simple about the science of music therapy, simplifying the processes for recertification has made a notable difference over the years.

“More than 50% of the certificant body did not renew after CBMT’s very first recertification cycle,” Joy recalls. “But now CBMT is witnessing an average of 80% renewing today – completely online! Our goal has always been to underscore how essential the lifecycle of music therapy certification has been – and to ensure it is increasingly accessible to CBMT’s MT-BC certificants across the globe.”

The Approved Provider Opportunity Search Database is now available on the CBMT website. Visit cbmt.org to learn more about CBMT’s role in the field of music therapy.

The post CBMT’s New Approved Provider Opportunity Database Connects Music Therapists with Opportunities for Ongoing Education appeared first on CBMT.

CBMT’s International Footprint
Despite the vast cultural differences across the globe, the therapeutic process applied by music therapists worldwide remains the same. Recognizing this universality, CBMT plays a pivotal role in fostering accessibility, recognition and credentialing of music therapy as a globally respected profession. CBMT has successfully conducted examinations for individuals from over 25 countries, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Israel, Korea, and Indonesia. Joy Schneck, CBMT’s Executive Director, expresses excitement about the formation of a global community of music therapists, united by shared practice guidelines and clinical expertise.

Meeting the Global Demand
While only six percent of Music Therapists-Board Certified (MT-BCs) reside outside the U.S., there is a rising interest in CBMT’s certification in countries like Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Europe, Australia, and South America. Recognizing the growing international demand for CBMT’s certification, the organization has streamlined its credentialing process for global candidates. Therefore, CBMT opened the doors for all international colleagues to apply for certification if they have a music therapy degree including 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experience under a qualified music therapy professional. Additionally, CBMT collaborates with organizations such as the Canadian Association for Music Therapists to administer testing. The Music Therapist Accredited (MTA) designation involves a successful internship evaluation, passing the CBMT exam, and a signed statement of adherence.

CBMT’s Partnerships
Partnering with PSI, Inc., CBMT administers exams at locations worldwide, contributing to the organization’s global outreach. CBMT’s examinations are primarily in English, except in Canada, where bilingual examinations in French and English are offered to comply with local regulations.

To delve deeper into CBMT’s international credentialing requirements and its influential role in the field of music therapy, interested parties are encouraged to visit cbmt.org.

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