# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 41 — Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists

### Chapter 05 — Music Therapy

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §§2-101, 2-201, 2-202(a), 2-206(a) and (d)(2), 2-501, and 2-4A-01—2-4A-25, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: March 24, 1997 (24:6 Md. R. 485)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective November 10, 2003 (30:22 Md. R. 1582)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02A, B amended effective November 10, 2003 (30:22 Md. R. 1582)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 adopted effective November 10, 2003 (30:22 Md. R. 1582)

**Administrative History:** Chapter repealed effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 492)

**Administrative History:** New Regulations .01-.07 adopted under new chapter Music Therapy effective  August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 708)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 10.41.05.01*

This chapter governs all persons licensed as music therapists in the State.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 10.41.05.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Board” means the State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists.

  (2) “CBMT-certified” means a music therapist who:

    (a) Is currently certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists; and

    (b) Has completed the educational and clinical training requirements established by the American Music Therapy Association.

  (3) “Individualized music therapy treatment plan” means a music therapy treatment plan for a client that identifies the goals, objectives, and potential strategies for the music therapy services appropriate for the client using music therapy interventions, including:

    (a) Music improvisation;

    (b) Receptive music listening;

    (c) Songwriting;

    (d) Lyric discussion;

    (e) Music and imagery;

    (f) Music performance;

    (g) Learning through music; and

    (h) Movement to music.

  (4) “Licensed professional music therapist” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to engage in the practice of music therapy.

  (5) “Practice of music therapy” has the meaning stated in Health Occupations Article, §2-4A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.

#### Regulation .03 Licensure Requirements.

*COMAR 10.41.05.03*

A. To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this chapter.

B. The applicant shall:

  (1) Be of good moral character;

  (2) Be at least 18 years old;

  (3) Be a CBMT-certified music therapist;

  (4) Provide proof of:

    (a) Passing the examination for certification offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) or any successor organization approved by the Board; or

    (b) Being transitioned into Board licensure and that the applicant is currently a CBMT-certified music therapist;

  (5) Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy, or its equivalent, including clinical training, from an educational program that is:

    (a) Approved by the American Music Therapy Association or any successor organization; and

    (b) Within an accredited college or university;

  (6) Be in good standing based on a review of the applicant’s music therapy licensure, certification, or registration history in other jurisdictions, including a review of any disciplinary actions in the practice of music therapy; and

  (7) Meet any other requirements established by the Board.

C. To apply for a license, an applicant shall:

  (1) Submit an application to the Board on the form that the Board requires;

  (2) Pay to the Board the application fee set by the Board; and

  (3) Submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §2–303.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. The Board shall issue a license to any applicant who meets the requirements of:

  (1) Health Occupations Article, Title 2, Subtitle 4A, Annotated Code of Maryland; or

  (2) §C of this regulation and provides evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed and in good standing as a music therapist in another jurisdiction where the qualifications required are equal to or greater than those required in this subtitle.

E. The Board shall include on each license that the Board issues:

  (1) The full name of the licensed music therapist;

  (2) The dates of issuance and expiration; and

  (3) A license number.

F. A music therapist license authorizes the licensee to engage in the practice of music therapy while the license is effective.

#### Regulation .04 Renewal of Licensure.

*COMAR 10.41.05.04*

A. A license expires on a date set by the Board unless the license is renewed for an additional term as set forth under §D of this regulation.

B. A license may not be renewed for a term longer than 2 years.

C. At least 1 month before a license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by first-class mail or email to the last known address of the licensee, a renewal notice that states the:

  (1) Expiration date;

  (2) Due date by which the renewal application shall be received by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and

  (3) Amount of the renewal fee.

D. Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew the license for an additional term if the licensee:

  (1) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;

  (2) Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board; and

  (3) Submits to the Board:

    (a) A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and

    (b) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing education requirements established by the Board under Regulation .05 of this chapter.

E. A licensee shall undergo a new criminal records history check as set forth in Health Occupations Article, §2-303.1, Annotated Code of Maryland, every three renewal cycles or every 6 years.

#### Regulation .05 Continuing Education Requirements.

*COMAR 10.41.05.05*

A. The continuing education requirements shall include proof of completion of at least 40 hours of continuing education in a program approved by CBMT or any successor organization approved by the Board that includes:

  (1) A minimum of 1 CEU in the area of cultural competency;

  (2) A minimum of 1 CEU in the area of ethics;

  (3) Supervision;

  (4) Billing;

  (5) Interdisciplinary collaboration; and

  (6) Related training that does not include annual training requirements for:

    (a) Job orientation;

    (b) Job maintenance; or

    (c) Other general training or information related to human health.

B. It is recommended that a licensee applying for the renewal of a license successfully complete, within the 2-year licensing period as a part of the required 40 hours of Board-approved continuing education programs, a minimum of 2 CEUs in the area of supervision.

C. The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of Regulations .04 and .05 of this chapter.

#### Regulation .06 Inactive Status, Reactivation, Reinstatement, and Reapplication.

*COMAR 10.41.05.06*

A. Inactive Status.

  (1) The Board shall place a licensee on inactive status if the licensee submits to the Board:

    (a) An application for inactive status on the form that the Board requires; and

    (b) The inactive status fee set by the Board.

  (2) The Board shall license an individual on inactive status who applies for a license if the individual meets:

    (a) The renewal requirements of Health Occupations Article, §2–4A–10, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

    (b) Any continuing education requirements established by the Board.

  (3) The Board may not require payment of a late fee by an individual as a condition to licensing set forth under §B of this regulation.

B. Reactivation.

  (1) If a license has been in an inactive status for no more than two 2-year renewal cycles of inactivity, the licensee may apply for reactivation of the inactive license.

  (2) The Board shall reactivate the license if the music therapist:

    (a) Submits to the Board satisfactory proof of completion of at least 40 hours of CEU activity, in a program approved by CBMT or any successor organization, for every 2-year cycle of inactivity; and

    (b) Pays to the Board the renewal fee and the reactivation fee set by the Board.

C. Reinstatement.

  (1) If a license has been expired for 5 years or less, a music therapist may apply for reinstatement of the expired license.

  (2) The Board shall reinstate the license if the music therapist:

    (a) Submits to the Board satisfactory proof of completion of continuing education hours required of a music therapist on active status during the period of inactivity; and

    (b) Pays to the Board the renewal fee and the reinstatement fee set by the Board.

D. Reapplication.

  (1) The Board may not reinstate the license of a music therapist who fails to apply for reinstatement of the license within 5 years after the license expires.

  (2) The music therapist whose license has been expired for more than 5 years may become licensed if the music therapist:

    (a) Meets the current requirements for obtaining a license;

    (b) Submits to the Board satisfactory proof of completion of continuing education hours required of a music therapist on active status during the period of inactivity; and

    (c) Pays to the Board the application fee set by the Board.

#### Regulation .07 Licensee Responsibilities.

*COMAR 10.41.05.07*

A. A licensee shall notify the Board in writing of a change of:

  (1) Mailing address within 30 days after the change;

  (2) Name within 30 days after the change; or

  (3) Email address within 30 days after the change if the licensee has previously submitted an email address to the Board.

B. A licensee who fails to comply with the requirements of this regulation may be subject to disciplinary action.