SUMMER 2009 issue
NEW JERSEY TASK FORCE ON OCCUPATIONAL REGULATION (NJSTF)
Kathy Murphy, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LPC, LCAT
The NJSTF continues its advocacy efforts in New Jersey. Members of the task force include Carol Ann Blank, Kristen Brennan, Leah Oswanski, and David Ramsey.
UPDATE ON STATE RECOGNITION
A practice act is being proposed to ensure that music therapy is provided by qualified music therapists. The intent is not to restrict the use of music, but to restrict the practice of music therapy to licensed music therapists and advanced practice music therapists. The task force in collaboration with the NJ Advisory Council has submitted the following language for inclusion in the bill.
PROPOSED TITLES
Music Therapist – bachelor’s degree in music therapy from an approved AMTA college/university, and passage of CBMT exam
Advanced Practice Music Therapist – 48 credit hour master’s degree in music therapy from an approved AMTA college/university, and passage of the highest level exam available.
PROPOSED DEFINITIONS
Music Therapy:
A therapeutic relationship in which the therapist systematically uses music and music experiences to support progress toward treatment goals. The music therapist demonstrates basic knowledge of music therapy assessment, treatment, documentation, and evaluation; and demonstrates understanding of ethical principles and current standards of practice.
Advanced Practice Music Therapy:
A therapeutic relationship in which the therapist systematically applies and integrates a comprehensive synthesis of theories, research, treatment knowledge, musicianship, clinical skills, and personal awareness to address client needs through music and music experiences. The advanced practice music therapist demonstrates comprehensive understanding of foundations and principles of music, music therapy, treatment, and management in clinical, educational, research, and administrative settings.
GRANDPARENTING
Music Therapist: One who meets either (1) or (2) of the following:
- Currently holds the Music Therapist-Board certified (MT-BC) credential, and is in good standing with the Certification Board for Music Therapists:
- Currently holds the professional designation Registered Music Therapist (RMT), Certified Music Therapist, or Advanced Certified Music Therapist (ACMT), and is in good standing with the National Music Therapy Registry
–OR—
Advanced Practice Music Therapist: One who meets both (1) and (2) of the following:
- Meets one of the following criteria:
- Currently holds the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential, and is in good standing with the Certification Board for Music Therapists;
- Currently holds the professional designation registered music Therapist (RMT), certified Music Therapist, or Advanced Certified Music Therapist (ACMT), and is in good standing with the National Music Therapy Registry
--AND—
(2) Meets at least one of the following criteria
(a) Holds a master’s degree in music therapy
(b) Has completed 7 or more years of clinical experience in music therapy
EXEMPTIONS
Current state and county employees
Therapeutic musicians (i.e. drum circle facilitators, harp therapists) so long as they are working within the scope of their education and training; licensed professionals so long as they do not hold themselves out to be music therapists, or claim to do music therapy.
The NJ Office of Legislative Services is reviewing this language along with the AMTA Advisory on Levels of Practice; Standards of Practice and Advanced Competencies and the CBMT Scope of Practice. We expect to have the official draft ready for NJ Music Therapists to review late summer/early fall. The Task Force will hold another series of informational meetings this fall, in order to distribute copies of the bill, review the language, and to answer any questions and address any concerns NJ music therapists may have. The bill will also be posted on the MAR and NJAMT websites. Please send an e-mail to njtaskforce@yahoo.com in order to receive e-mail notification of the date/time/location of the informational meetings.
USE OF “CMT” DESIGNATION IN NJ
We recently learned that NJ Statutes Annotated Title 45: 11-73 prohibits anybody, except a massage therapists licensed pursuant to the massage therapy act, to use the abbreviation “MT” or “CMT” in the state of NJ. We have notified the NMTR, and they are in the process of notifying those individuals on the registry that currently use the professional designation “CMT.” The section of the law reads as such:
45:11-73 Licensure required for use of certain titles.
18. a. No person shall engage in the practice of massage and bodywork therapies as a licensed massage and bodywork therapist or present, call or represent himself as a licensed massage and bodywork therapist unless licensed pursuant to this amendatory and supplementary act.
b. No person shall assume, represent himself as, or use the title or designation “massage or bodywork therapists,” “licensed massage and bodywork therapist” or any tile or designation which includes the words ‘massage<’ bodywork,” “masseur,” “masseuse,” “shiatsu,” “acupressure,” “accu-pressure,” “nuad bo’rarn,” “amma,” “anma,” “chi nei tsang,” “tuina,” “polarity educator,” polarity therapist,” “polarity therapy,” “polarity practitioner,” or any of the abbreviations “MT,” “BT,” “MBT,” “MBST,” “CMBT,” “COBT,” “CMT,” ‘LBT,” “LMBST,” “LMBT,” “LABT,” “LOBT,” ‘AB,” “ABT,” “OB,” “RPP,” OR”LMT” or similar abbreviations as determined by the board, unless licensed under this amendatory and supplementary act.
L.2007, c337, s.18
As always, please contact the task force at njtaskforce@yahoo.com if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the work of the NJ Task Force.