2026 Minnesota Statutes

148H.04 UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE; PROTECTED TITLES; EXEMPT PERSONS.

Subdivision 1.Unlicensed practice prohibited.

Effective January 1, 2028, an individual must be licensed as a music therapist under this chapter to practice music therapy.

Subd. 2.Protected titles and restrictions on use.

(a) Use of the term "licensed music therapist," "music therapist," "licensed professional music therapist," "LPMT," or similar titles or terms to indicate or imply that the person is licensed by the state as a music therapist is prohibited unless that person is licensed under this chapter.

(b) Use of the term "board-certified music therapist" or similar titles or terms to indicate or imply that the person is certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists is prohibited unless the person is licensed under this chapter and holds a valid certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Subd. 3.Exempt persons.

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) any person who is licensed, registered, or certified under the laws of this state in another profession or occupation who is performing services including the use of music incidental to the practice of that profession or occupation in which the person is licensed, registered, or certified if the person does not represent themselves to the public as a music therapist. This exception includes but is not limited to licensed physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, advance practice registered nurses, professional counselors, social workers, occupational therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or personnel supervised by a licensed professional;

(2) a person employed as a music therapist by the government of the United States or any federal agency. A person who is exempt under this clause may use the protected titles identified in subdivision 2, but only in connection with performing official duties for the federal government;

(3) the practice of music therapy as an integral part of a program of study for students enrolled in an accredited music therapy program;

(4) a person who practices music therapy under the supervision of a licensed professional music therapist, if the person is not represented to the public as a music therapist; or

(5) a person who is trained and certified by a nationally accredited certifying organization as a music healing professional and who practices within the scope of the specific training and certification of the specific music healing profession, if the person is not represented to the public as a music therapist.

History:

2026 c 115 art 5 s 5