To become a music therapist, you need a bachelor’s degree from an AMTA-approved program, 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training, and a passing score on the board certification exam to earn the MT-BC credential. State regulation varies. Around 20 states have some form of music therapy regulation, so requirements depend on where you practice.
Music therapy is a clinical profession, not a performance career. The credential that lets you practice as a Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) requires a specific educational path, a supervised internship, and a national exam. Here’s what that process looks like from start to finish.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Music Therapist?
The starting point is a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from an AMTA-approved program. There are more than 80 AMTA-approved music therapy degree programs in the United States. The curriculum combines music coursework with psychology and clinical training, and students must complete 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experience as part of the degree.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in music (performance, education, or a related field), an equivalency program allows you to complete the additional therapy coursework and clinical hours without repeating your undergraduate coursework. Some equivalency programs are standalone. Others lead to a master’s degree in music therapy. Either way, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency on guitar, piano, and voice, regardless of your primary instrument.
A master’s or doctoral degree generally isn’t required for MT-BC certification or entry-level clinical practice. Graduate degrees are more relevant if you want to move into research, university teaching, or specialized supervisory roles. Some practitioners also pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology to broaden their clinical scope alongside the MT-BC.
What Does a Music Therapist Do?
Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospice facilities, and mental health clinics. The specific work depends on the setting and the population. Still, the core job is designing and delivering music-based interventions to address clinical goals: improving communication in children with autism, managing pain in hospital patients, or supporting cognitive function in older adults with dementia.
Sessions can be individual or group. Some are receptive (listening-based), others active (playing, singing, improvising). Therapists assess clients, document progress, and work alongside physicians, counselors, and other members of a clinical team. Music is the treatment tool. The clinical framework is the same as that of any other allied health profession.
Is Music Therapy a Good Career?
Music therapy is a small, specialized field, so the job market is narrower than general counseling or social work. Demand exists across healthcare, education, and elder care, but the pool of open positions is smaller than broader clinical career paths in psychology. Graduates with the MT-BC credential and hands-on clinical experience do find employment, particularly in settings that already use interdisciplinary care teams.
Entry does require real musical proficiency. Programs assess guitar, piano, and voice, and clinical work demands adaptability across musical styles and client needs. If those skills are already in place, the career path is clear: an AMTA-approved program, a supervised internship, a board exam, and licensure where required.
How Do You Get Certified as a Music Therapist?
After completing an AMTA-approved program (or an equivalency program), you’re eligible to sit for the board certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Passing that exam earns the MT-BC credential, which is the recognized standard for practice across the United States.
The MT-BC is valid for five years. Renewal requires 100 continuing education credits, earned through CBMT-approved conferences, workshops, and professional development activities.
State regulation is a separate requirement in roughly 20 states and may take the form of licensure, registration, certification, or title protection, depending on the jurisdiction.
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