Pennsylvania

State Recognition for Pennsylvania

Recognized? No

Recognition Status: With additional education and clinical training, music therapists are eligible to apply for counseling license.

Active Task Force? Yes

Year Started: 2006

Task Force Status: During this session, mirror music therapy licensure bills have been introduced and with the hope they are called up to a vote in the licensure committees. The two bills looking for movement are Representative Pashinski’s HB 563 (currently at 43 co-sponsors and growing) and SB 579 Co-sponsored by Senator Vogel alongside primary Co-sponsor Senator Comitta with 21 additional co-sponsors (and counting).

The PASTF has held multiple Hill Days along with visits to the PA Capitol and they have met with the Governor’s office and the Secretary of State in addition to Senators and Representatives. This year’s interest from legislators has been on the economic impact to Pennsylvania due to the lack of a license. With the support from PAs surrounding states with licensure (Ohio, New Jersey, and Virginia), music therapy private practice owners across the state, and faculty from PA higher ed institutes, the PASTF has been able to collect data and present compelling arguments for legislators.

A Press Release from the PA Senate Republicans spurred media coverage from press in Western, Central, and Eastern Pennsylvania increasing the public’s knowledge of the legislation and encouraging more support from Pennsylvanians.

The Task Force continues to work on their Coalition Letter, a list of more than 120 supporters who not only signed their name in support but who have begun to reach out to their legislators advocating for music therapy licensure. From local businesses, to health networks, from universities, to regional and national associations, the support for PA music therapy licensure is vast.

There is a current call to action to reach out to PA Senators to encourage the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee to call SB 579 up to a vote. https://www.votervoice.net/AMTA/Campaigns/125751/Respond

Task Force Contact Name: Madison Frank and Nicole Hahna

Task Force Contact Email: [email protected]

Task Force Members: Zacharia Arsalane, Madison Frank, Nicole Hahna, Julie Schlosser, Stephanie Sofield, Michelle Weller (Student Representative), Bethany Wentling

Task Force Facebook: Music Therapy PA State Task Force

State Association: pamusictherapy.org

State Association Facebook:

Regional Association: www.mar-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).

Click here to read the report

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.