HB 546 Summary

• Establishes licensure requirements for music therapists in Ohio, requiring applicants to hold a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy from an AMTA-approved program, pass board certification exam, complete minimum 1,200 hours of clinical training, and submit to criminal records check.

• Creates a five-member Music Therapy Advisory Committee within the licensing authority consisting of three licensed music therapists, one licensed healthcare professional, and one consumer to provide expertise on music therapy issues.

• Prohibits unlicensed persons from providing music therapy services or using the title "music therapist," with exceptions for students in accredited programs, licensed professionals using music incidentally, and persons under supervision of a licensee.

• Specifies music therapy services licensees may provide including assessment, individualized treatment planning, music interventions, and collaboration with clients' healthcare providers; requires licensees to maintain board certification and complete 60 hours of continuing education per three-year renewal period.

• Establishes disciplinary procedures for violations including probation, reprimand, license denial/suspension/revocation, and fines up to $1,000; makes violation of practice restrictions a fourth-degree misdemeanor on first offense and third-degree misdemeanor on subsequent offenses.