State Recognition for Illinois
Recognized? Yes – Licensure
Recognition Status: Music therapy license was established in 2022. It will be managed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation through a new Music Therapy Advisory Board. Regulations are in process.
Active Task Force? Yes
Year Started: 2006
Task Force Status: On Tuesday, August 18, 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois signed into law SB 1595. As a study bill, this legislation creates a Music Therapy Advisory Board charged with exploring the feasibility of regulating music therapy practice in Illinois and submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the state by April 2017. As of July 2016, the board has heard testimony from the Illinois Association for Music Therapy, the Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing, the State of Washington Department of Health, the University of Chicago–Harris School of Public Policy, and the National Association of Social Workers – Illinois Chapter. Many thanks to the members of the Illinois Task Force (Nancy Swanson, Andrea Crimmins, Allison Gunnink, Melaine Pohlman, and Victoria Storm) and to all music therapists in Illinois for their work, dedication, and advocacy for this legislation.
Task Force Contact Name: Nancy Swanson
Task Force Contact Email: nancy@musictherapyservices.us
Task Force Members: Andrea Crimmins, Courtney Genard, Allison Gunnink, Melaine Pohlman, Paula Ramirez, Brooke Rutstein, Nancy Swanson
Task Force Facebook:
State Association: www.musictherapyillinois.org
State Association Facebook: Illinois Association for Music Therapy
Regional Association: www.glr-amta.org
State Legislative Activity:
Below you will find a link to an online report with information about state-level bills that include the keyword “music therapy.” There may or may not be a bill for your state. Some bills may have a direct impact on the profession (e.g. music therapy licensure legislation) while others may not (e.g. music therapy is included in a pre-existing list of healthcare providers).
Information is provided by Fiscal Note, a subscription service that allows CBMT to follow state and federal legislative and regulatory developments. This resource is provided for informational purposes to help you stay informed on legislative and policy issues impacting music therapy practice. Please contact your task force chair with questions and before taking any action.