CBMT Board Certification Examination

Preparing for the Exam

The CBMT Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) is a web-based test and diagnostic tool to assist with identifying your areas of strength and weakness in music therapy knowledge. The SAEs are a completely optional tool for exam preparation and just one of the many means available for preparing for the certification examination.  It features questions from all areas of the CBMT Board Certification Domains, written in the style and format of typical questions on the CBMT Exam. Questions are written in the style and format of questions from the certification exam, but there are no questions from the actual certification exam included in the Self-Assessment Exams.  Two SAEs are available, and both are updated based on the outcomes from each new Practice Analysis Study we conduct every five years.

SAEs can be ordered on the CBMT website.  Each SAE is currently available at a reduced rate of $49.95, and will remain so for the foreseeable future.  After purchasing the SAE online, you will receive an email with directions for accessing the exam. The SAE, all reports, questions, explanations and scoring reports will be available to you online for 90 days; they also will be emailed to you for printing and to use indefinitely.

Upon completion of the SAE, you will have the opportunity to print a complete scoring report, as well as the answer key with explanations for correct and incorrect responses.

PURCHASE A SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAM

Additional Resources for Studying

The CBMT Self-Assessment Examination Bibliography contains recommended readings that might be useful when preparing for the exam.

CBMT SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION BIBLIOGRAPHY

CBMT BOARD CERTIFICATION DOMAINS (effective August 1, 2020)

Please note: The Music Therapy Exam Secrets Study Guide and The Music Therapy Exam Secrets Flashcard Study System published by Mometrix Media LLC are not affiliated with the CBMT or the board certification exam. The CBMT does not sponsor or endorse the Music Therapy Exam Secrets publications.

Taking the Exam

The CBMT Board Certification Examination is administered by computer at more than 200 PSI testing centers geographically distributed throughout the United States and abroad. Exams are administered by appointment only, Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. local time, with the exception of some holidays.

FIND A PSI TESTING CENTER

Information about reporting to the assessment center and the identification required for admittance is outlined on page 10 of the Exam Candidate Handbook. Page 11 of the handbook provides details about what to expect during and immediately after the examination, and how the pass/fail exam is scored.

Passing the Exam

When you pass the CBMT Examination, you may use the credential “Music Therapist-Board Certified” (MT-BC). The newly credentialed music therapist receives a certificate from CBMT that indicates valid board certification for five years. The MT-BC credential subjects the certificant to the rules and regulations set forth by the CBMT Board of Directors in accordance with NCCA Program Accreditation Standards. CBMT reserves the right to revoke the certification of any MT-BC found in violation of the standards outlined in the CBMT Code of Professional Practice or found practicing outside the parameters defined by the CBMT Board Certification Domains. Following initial certification, the MT-BC will begin a five-year cycle in which he or she must demonstrate continuing competence by fulfilling recertification requirements as designated by CBMT.

Exam Score Reports

Your score report will indicate a “pass” or “fail.”  The current passing point is 95 correct questions out of 130 scored questions.  Additional detail is provided in the form of raw scores by the major content category.  A raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly.  Your pass/fail status is determined by your raw score. Even though the examination consists of 150 questions, your score is based on 130 questions. Twenty questions are “pretest” questions.

The content area scores on your score report are not used to determine pass-fail decision outcomes. They are only provided to offer a general indication regarding your performance in each content area. The examination is designed to provide a consistent and precise determination of your overall performance and is not designed to provide complete information regarding your performance in each content area.  You should remember that content areas with a larger number of items (questions) will affect the overall score more than areas with fewer items. The precision and consistency
of scores diminishes with fewer items; therefore, the sub-scores should be interpreted with caution, especially those that correspond to content areas with very few items.

Examination Appeals Policy

CBMT provides every candidate the opportunity to question the test’s fairness, its questions, and its administration within 30 days of the exam date.

VIEW OUR ELIGIBILITY REVIEW & APPEAL POLICY

Reapplying to Take the Exam

To reapply, submit an application and payment through your online account at the CBMT Login.  The reapplication fee is  $275.00.   Payment will be a part of the application process.  There is a waiting period of 30 days between exam attempts.  There are no exceptions to this policy.

State Licensure

Although it is required in some states for licensure, state certification, or state registries, board certification is voluntary.

VIEW STATE REQUIREMENTS