Licensing Music Therapists in Minnesota: What's Happening Now?
- Katie Kottemann, MT-BC
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Currently, 13 states across the United States require music therapists to maintain a professional license to practice, and Minnesota has been pursuing similar regulations. There has been growing discussion about requiring licensure for music therapists in Minnesota, but what does that really mean? The Minnesota Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force has been working to expand access to music therapy services across the state by requesting state legislators to recognize music therapy as a regulated health profession in Minnesota.
As of March 24th, 2025, in Minnesota, a bill was introduced to the Senate that outlines licensure for the music therapy profession for the state. The bill is accessible to the public and can be found here.
When it comes to music therapy, recognition of the profession varies greatly by state. All practicing music therapists in the United States must obtain and maintain certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). This certification means professionals have completed the required education and clinical training, passed the board exam, and continue to complete education credits to support growth as professionals. If practicing music therapists have a board certification, why is Minnesota looking at licensure for this profession?
Licensure would define and recognize music therapy in the state of Minnesota as an allied health profession and increase access to services of music therapy in Minnesota. It would also ensure the safety of music therapy service users by preventing unqualified individuals (those who have not completed the necessary education, training, and certification) from presenting themselves as music therapists. According to the Minnesota Statute, Section 214.001, licensure is a system “whereby a practitioner must receive recognition by the state of having met predetermined qualifications, and persons not so licensed are prohibited from practicing”. Requiring licensure of music therapists would protect the title and scope of practice of the music therapy profession and ensure that legitimate music therapy services are being provided to the Minnesota community.
If licensure for music therapists becomes required, what do music therapists have to do? Acquiring a license to practice would not require any additional training or additional tests beyond board certification. The license would use the current board certification from CBMT as verification that a professional has completed the proper education, training, and ongoing continuing education requirements. Minnesota licensure would recognize music therapy standards of practice and scopes of practice that are already defined by CBMT and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), and it would also adhere to the code of ethics outlined by AMTA.
One implication music therapists may see from requiring licensure is paying a fee to obtain and maintain it. While the bill is still moving in Minnesota, it has yet to be decided what those fees may look like. The Minnesota Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force is working hard to keep costs as low as possible for professionals. Currently, it is unclear if or when this bill could pass, as its progress is dependent on the legislative priorities at the Capitol each year. Many years of hard work have already been put into this effort by the Minnesota Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force, and there is still plenty of work to be done!
If you have any questions, concerns, or opinions about the possibility of requiring licensure for music therapists in Minnesota, please reach out to the Minnesota Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force at Minntaskforce@gmail.com.
Sources:
Minnesota Music Therapy State Recognition Task Force Town Hall Meeting:
Minnesota Statute 214.001
Proposed Music Therapy Licensure Bill:
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