Limited Time Amnesty Offer for Lapsed BC-DMT and R-DMT Credentials

Dear Registered and Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapists:

The Dance Movement Therapy Credentialing Board (DMTCB) understands the unprecedented challenges that many of our professionals have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that some of our colleagues may have had difficulty maintaining their credentials, despite their best efforts.

Therefore, we are pleased to announce that, for a limited time, we are offering an amnesty program for those whose credentials have lapsed over one or multiple years due to the pandemic. This amnesty program will be available beginning July 1, 2023, until December 1, 2023. During this time, all professional Dance Movement Therapists with lapsed credentials can have their credentials reinstated by renewing their credentials in the current year (the 2023-2024 cycle) without needing to pay for past years.

Please Note: the office must receive your reapplication by Dec. 1, 2023 or it will not qualify for the amnesty. Please email [email protected]. 

We understand that some of you may have been hesitant to renew your credentials due to the financial impact of the pandemic. This limited time offer is intended to provide some relief to those who may be struggling financially.

Please Note: this amnesty program does not mean that we will be issuing refunds for those who have paid to keep their credentials up to date. However, for those whose credentials have lapsed and are interested in reinstating them, this is an opportunity to do so without incurring any additional costs for past years.

We encourage all of our colleagues with lapsed credentials to take advantage of this opportunity to reinstate their credentials and continue to practice R-DMTs or BC-DMTs.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the field of Dance Movement Therapy.

Sincerely,

Dance Movement Therapy Credentialing Board (DMTCB) - Compliance Coordinator, Chair, & Members

DMTCB Amnesty Offer FAQs

What is the Amnesty for Credential renewal and how does it work?

The Professional Credential Amnesty is an opportunity for DMTs to reinstate their R-DMT or BC-DMT (or DTR or ADTR) credential if they have fallen behind on the yearly credential requirement. The amnesty is being offered from June 15 -Dec 1, 2023. If you reinstate your credential during this amnesty period, all additional fees and CE requirements are waived. This means you only need to go on-line, register, and pay the regular yearly credential renewal fee.

Why are we offering an amnesty?

Aside from the pandemic, there are many reasons and hardships due to which DMTs have had to let their credential lapse. This amnesty is an opportunity to reinstate your DMT credential without explanations or needing to complete additional requirements. We hope that this will temporarily remove any barriers our community is experiencing. We want to welcome you back!!!

What are the requirements for credential renewal and 5-year credential recertification?

All professional DMTs (R-DMT. BC-DMT, DTR and ADTR) are required to ‘renew’ the credential every year, by paying a yearly fee based on the credential level and work status (See next FAQ).
In addition, every 5-years the credentialed DMT is required to ‘recertify’ by stating they have documentation that they have completed the CEs required for their credential level and work status. There is also small fee for recertification.
If you become a BC-DMT in the middle of your 5-year recertification cycle, you will get a new credential number and your re-certification 5-year cycle will be restarted from the year you become a BC. In addition, you will be able to carry over any CEs you have already acquired.
Each year, 10% of everyone who is re-certifying are selected to be audited and their CE documentation with be audited by the DMTCB.
Certification renewal and recertification is different from ADTA Professional membership. ADTA membership is open to anyone who wants to join, not just people who are trained in the practice of DMT. ‘ADTA membership’ renewal is also every year. If you choose to renew ONLY your DMT credential and not your ADTA membership, then the credential fee is a higher amount than if you renew them both.

What is a Lapsed credential?

All credentialed DMTs (R-DMTs, BC-DMTs, DTRs and ADTRs) are required to renew their credential every year by completing the renewal form and paying the annual fee. The renewal cycle occurs in June and all registered DMTs are emailed the necessary information for this process. If the credentialed DMT DOES NOT renew at this time, their credential becomes lapsed. This applies to all R-DMTs, BC-DMTs, DTRs, and ADTRs (no matter when you received your credential).

What are the various professional status levels to choose from when I renew?

There are several credential and work status available to credentialed DMTs. INSERT LINK to R-DMT and BC-DMT status options and requirements/privileges.
The R-DMT (Registered DMT) is the ADTA’s entry-level credential to practice as a DMT and the BC-DMT (Board Certification) is the highest credential level. There are specific privileges and requirements for each level.
All R-DMT and BC-DMTs may renew at a level based on their work status: e.g. full time or reduced practice (defined as working no more than 10 paid clinical hours/week). There are different renewal fees and the CE requirements for these work statuses.
In addition, a credentialed DMT may register as being Temporary Inactive for a maximum of 4-years. This means that they are not actively practicing as a DMT. There is only a small professional maintenance fee for this status. There is no CE requirements for this status.
Finally, a credentialed DMT may also identify their status are Retired. A Retired credentialed DMT may NOT practice as a DMT, teach, supervise or advise if they have selected the Retired status. There is no fee or CE requirement for this status.

What happens if I don’t renew my credential on time, and it becomes lapsed?

If a DMT credential is lapsed the and the credential DMT continues to practice and/or represent themselves as a credentialed DMT (R-DMTs, BC-DMTs, DTRs, and ADTRs), they are in violation of the ADTA Code of Ethics and are vulnerable to having their credential sanctioned or revoked.

How can I reinstate my lapsed credential?

All DMTs are required to maintain their DMT status while they are practicing professionally. This includes working clinically, teaching, supervising, or advising. If a DMT does not renew their credential, or change their status to Temporary Inactive, their credential will be considered lapsed. Use the listed link (above) for further details for lapsed credential reinstated.

If I renew my credential during this amnesty period, how does it impact the CEs I will need to accrue for my 5-year recertification?

Your 5-year CE requirement will be changed set to every 5-years from 2023. Thus, you will be required to complete your 5-year CEs in 2028, 2032, 2037, 2042, and so on.

What is my original credential year and number?

Your original credential year is the year you received your R-DMT or DTR. The year will change once you become a BC-DMT (or if you were an ADTR and grand-parented to becoming a BC-DMT). Your credential number does not change. (If you know this information, it will help us make sure you records are accurate and complete in the ADTA and DMTCB database and systems).

Do I get to keep my original credential year and number?

When you attain the R-DMT you will receive a specific credential number. This number will change:
  1. when you become a BC-DMT. At that time, you will receive a new number. We encourage you to keep a record of both numbers if you are able.
  2. If neither you nor the office has any record of your original credential number and year (which might happen if you have let your credential lapse). In this case, you will be assigned a new credential number and year. (usually the year you reinstate your credential).

What is my highest-level credential?

Your highest-level credential can either be the R-DMT or BC-DMT (or DTR or ADTR). You must have received the R-DMT, in addition to other requirements, to apply for the BC-DMT. When you attain the BC-DMT you will keep your R-DMT credential number. However, your recertification year is computed to be every 5-years from the year you received your highest credential. This means that when you attain the BC-DMT your recertification year will change from that year. CEs that you accrued as an R-DMT in the prior recertification cycle will be transferred toward your BC-DMT recertification requirement.

Where do I find my original credential year and number?

Your original credential year and number is listed in the letter you received when you because an R-DMT and BC-DMT.

Do I get to keep my original credential year and number?

Unless both you and the office have no record of your original credential number and year, you will keep the same credential number throughout your professional DMT career. Your original credential year will remain the same. However, the year that we compute for your 5-year recertification process might change due to a number of external factors.

What if I don’t know my original or highest credential year or number?

In this case, please share as many of these details that you know. We will use whatever information you submit to make sure your records are accurate and up to date in the ADTA* and DMTCB** database and systems.

American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
Dance / Movement Therapy Credentialing Board (DMTCB)