Music therapy exemptions

AN ACT Relating to temporary exemptions from licensure for 1
certain applicants for a license to practice music therapy; amending 2
RCW 18.233.050; and providing an effective date. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 18.233.050 and 2023 c 175 s 6 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
(1) Beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not practice music 7
therapy or use any title or designation of "music therapist" that 8
indicates that the person is authorized to practice music therapy 9
unless the person is licensed under this chapter ((175, Laws of 10
2023)). 11
(2) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or 12
restrict the practices, services, or activities of the following:13
(a) Any person licensed, certified, or regulated under the laws 14
of Washington state in another profession or occupation or personnel 15
supervised by a licensed professional in this state performing work, 16
including the use of music, incidental to the practice of the 17
licensed, certified, or regulated profession or occupation, if the 18
person does not represent that the person is a music therapist;19
(b) Any person whose training and national certification attests 20
to the individual's preparation and ability to practice the certified 21
H-2794.1
HOUSE BILL 2363
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Reed, Berry, Goodman, and Fosse
Prefiled 01/09/26. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
p. 1 HB 2363
profession or occupation, if the person does not represent that the 1
person is a music therapist; ((and))2
(c) Any use and practice of music therapy as an integral part of 3
a program of study for students enrolled in a music therapy education 4
program; and5
(d) Any applicant for a license to practice music therapy 6
providing music therapy under the supervision of a licensed music 7
therapist for a period not to exceed six months from the start of 8
practice if the applicant's application meets all of the requirements 9
for licensure established in RCW 18.233.030, except the results of 10
the examination required by RCW 18.233.030 have not been verified by 11
the department. 12
(3) Unless authorized to practice speech-language pathology, 13
music therapists may not evaluate, examine, instruct, or counsel on 14
speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders or 15
conditions. An individual licensed as a professional music therapist 16
may not represent to the public that the individual is authorized to 17
treat a communication disorder. This does not prohibit an individual 18
licensed as a professional music therapist from representing to the 19
public that the individual may work with clients who have a 20
communication disorder and address communication skills.21
(4) Before providing music therapy services to a client for an 22
identified clinical or developmental need, it is recommended that the 23
licensee review the client's diagnosis, treatment needs, and 24
treatment. 25
(5) Before providing music therapy services to a student for an 26
identified educational need, the licensee shall review the student's 27
diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan with the 28
individualized family service plan's team or the individualized 29
education program's team. 30
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect January 1, 2027.31
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 2363