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Seniors in nursing home making music with rhythm instruments as musical therapy
Professions

Music Therapist – Initial Application

Understand the requirements of this profession to be a credential holder in WI. 

Credential Statute: Wis.Stat.Sec 440 
Credential Code: Code SPS 140

  • Disclaimer: Please review WI statute for full professional requirements. 


Overview

Initial application for applicants who would like to obtain a Music Therapist license.

Before You Apply

Applicants must be certified, registered or accredited as Music Therapists by one of the following organizations:

The Certification Board for Music Therapists, National Music Therapy Registry, American Music Therapy Association, or another national organization that certifies, registers or accredits Music Therapists.

How to Apply

Below are some general instructions for applying for a credential on LicensE. 

  1. Create or log into your LicensE account. Please visit LicensE account Information page for detailed guidance on selecting your account type.

  2. Select "Apply for a License."

  3. Select your Category.

  4. Select your License Type.

  5. Select your Application Method, then "Next."

  6. Review your Personal Information.

  7. Enter the requested Information on each page of the application. Information may include Examination, Education, or License History, depending on your profession.

  8. If applicable, request a Veterans Fee Waiver or Initial Credential Fee Reduction.

  9. Submit the requested Documents you may already have. You do not need to have all documents ready to submit.

    Note: Forms are now hosted on AccessGov. Visit AccessGov Forms Directory to choose your form.

  10. Respond to the Attestation questions.

  11. Provide Payment Information. Fees may be found Credential Fees.

  12. Submit your application.  

Profession specific application requirements can be found in the "Application Information" section.

Application Information

  1. Create or log into your LicensE account

  2.  Select Apply for a License

  3. Category: Health

  4. License Type: Music Therapist

  5. Application Method: Initial Application

Form 2426 Request for Verification of Certification, Registration or Accreditation (Complete this form and forward to the organization where you are Certified, Registered, or Accredited.)

  • Form 2829 Malpractice Suits or Claims Form.

  • Copy of marriage certificate or other state issued name change document (only applicable if other required documents are under a different name).

Next steps may be found below, in the “What Happens Next?” section

Exam Information

Applicants must pass the examination required for certification by the Certification Board for Music Therapists or hold registry from the National Music Therapy Registry.

​Applicants must also pass an open book examination on the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code. This is required prior to taking the National Exam. Applicants will receive exam instructions when they apply.

What Happens Next?

After you upload all required documents, submit your application, and pay the required fee(s):

  1. Preliminary Application Reference Number (PAR)

    1. Your application will be assigned a Preliminary Application Reference number or PAR number. This number allows you and trusted parties to look up the status of your application without logging in. You can also reference this number in any support tickets you submit in regard to your application.

      • A trusted 3rd party can look up your credential status by visiting LicensE, clicking “Application Status Lookup” and entering the PAR number you have provided to them.

  2. Review Timeline

    1. Your materials will be reviewed within approximately 10 days by a member of the credentialing team.

      • Note: Some licenses do take longer to process due to complexity. You can see the performance data on our LicensE Dashboard to see what date we are reviewing for certain application types under "Application Review Times by Profession."

  1. Pending Applicant Input Status

    1. After this review, if anything is missing or the credentialing team has any questions on your application, your application will go back into a status called “Pending Applicant Input.”  You will receive an email letting you know your application was moved into this status. You should then log into LicensE and check your application “Due Diligence.”

  1. To check your "Due Diligence" 

    1. Your Due Diligence is a checklist of items required for your credential.

    2. The Due Diligence section is how DSPS staff will communicate with you regarding your credential requirements.

    3. Log in to your LicensE account

    4. Click on "Check Application Status" 

    5. Your credential application should be shown on this page. Under “Action” select the button that looks like an upside-down triangle. If you are on mobile, you will need to turn your phone into landscape view. Note: LicensE is best viewed on a desktop or laptop.

    6. After clicking the upside-down triangle, select “View Due Diligences.”

    7. The Due Diligence column lets you know what the requirement is.

    8. The “STATUS” column will you know if the item is “Met”, “Not Met”, or “Not Applicable.”

      • Items listed as “Not Met” are items that are needed by the Department.  

    9. The “NOTES” column of your Due Diligence will provide further written details or instructions about what is still needed.

  2. To upload documents

    1. Some applications require additional document uploads.

    2. Log into your LicensE account

    3. Click on "Check Application Status"

    4. Your credential application should be shown on this page. Under "Action" select the button that looks like an upside-down triangle. If you are on mobile, you will need to turn your phone into landscape view. Note: LicensE is best viewed on a desktop or laptop. 

    5. After clicking the upside-down triangle, select "Upload Document."

    6. The document must be an allowable document type. 

    7. After uploading the document, click "submit." If you do not, it will not be sent to a reviewer. 

  3. If you have any questions, you can submit a support ticket on LicensE by logging in and clicking "request support" at the top of the page.

LicensE statuses that require action from applicant:

Status

Description

Pending Applicant Input

The application is with the applicant to submit additional documentation and/or information.

Pending Exam

The Department is waiting for the applicant to complete a required examination and receive passing results.

LicensE statuses that indicate the application is with Department staff:

Status

Description

Credentialing Team Review

The application is in the queue of a DSPS team member and awaiting review.

Legal File Preparation

The application is with a member of the legal team who is compiling arrest/conviction documents for review by an attorney.

Legal Review

The application is with an attorney, or another member of the legal team who performs the actual review.

Board Review

The application is with board liaison and/or the board for determination.

Awaiting Regulatory Authority

The application sent to regulatory authority (Chief Legal Counsel) for determination.

Discipline and/or Monitoring

Application is with legal staff but will be held until Division of Legal Services and Compliance disciplinary matter is resolved. 

Contact Us

Support Ticket
Submit a support ticket on LicensE and click "request support." Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your concern so we can work to answer your question with a one touch resolution. 

Call
608-266-2112

Email
dsps@wisconsin.gov

Office Hours
7:45am-4:30pm
Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI, 53705

Note: The in-person office does not process same day.

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