NEW MEXICO ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION
NEW MEXICO LICENSURE
In 1994, The State of New Mexico was the first state to license art therapists within their own discipline. Several states had allowed art therapists to be licensed as counselors, or to change their masters degree to programs to marriage and family therapy emphasis. Art therapists in New Mexico felt strongly that their training and experience was equal, and often more comprehensive, than other master's level therapists and that art therapy deserved it's own recognition.
The first art therapy licensure bill was introduced to the 1989 State Legislature. The bill passed both houses and was vetoed by the Governor. The next 60 day session was 2 years later (1991). Due to the economics of creating a licensure board, art therapists, counselors and marriage and family therapists joined forces to create a omnibus bill that would license each profession individually under the same licensing board. This bill was unable to get off the floor of the Senate, due to a filibuster. This same bill was introduced in 1993. It passed both houses and was signed into law by then Governor Bruce King. The pen that Governor King used to sign the bill rests in the AATA archives for access to all therapists. The first art therapists were licensed as Licensed Professional Art Therapists (LPAT) in September 1994.
Deborah A. Good, Ph.D., ATR-BC, LPAT
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Board
www.rld.state.nm.us/b&c/Counseling/index.htm
Requirements for Licensing as an Art Therapist
www.rld.state.nm.us/b&c/Counseling/Rules&Law/rules-and-law.htm