NMT FAQs

General Questions

Is the “NMT” designation another music therapy credential? 

The “NMT” designation is given to music therapists who hold either the MT-BC credential or a credential/certification from another country. “NMT” and “NMTAP” are professional designations and not credentials and should not be referred to as such.

How do I represent my training on my vitae/resume? 

The NMT Training and the NMT Fellowship should be identified on your vitae as continuing education.

How do I represent my certification on conference programs etc.?

In order to help others recognize the level of expertise you hold for speaking on a given topic, the individual should utilize either the short or long form of representation i.e. NMT, NMTAP, NMT-F, Neurologic Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapy Allied Professional or Neurologic Music Therapist, Fellow. 

Why can’t I continue to represent myself as an NMT without taking additional professional development as I have been practicing for years and use many of the techniques? 

Because NMT is an evidence-based practice, the NMT/NMTAP is obligated to continuing education related to the specific NMT techniques. Over the years, the techniques have evolved and new techniques have been added based on new research and clinical practice updates that occur during the Fellowship Training. The ongoing education of the clinician and educator are paramount for protecting the integrity of the NMT model.

What are the requirements for giving a keynote presentation about Neurologic Music Therapy?

If asked to give a keynote presentation about NMT, we ask that you meet the following criteria:

  • You should hold the MT-BC credential or certification or credential from another country and in the case of those practicing outside the U.S., hold an appropriate music therapy degree; or hold a certification or credential in another profession dedicated to treating persons with neurologic impairments.
  • Have successfully completed a current NMT Institute Training within the last 5 years and preferably an NMT Fellowship within the last 5 years.
  • Properly represent the practice of NMT by operating within your scope of understanding and seek support through the Academy as needed in order to protect the NMT treatment model.

Do you have to be a Fellow to start a support chapter?

Yes! However, others may help in logistical and clerical ways. 

Professional Development

If our Affiliation is for 5 years, does this mean that I add two more years onto my expiration year? 

Because we rolled out the Professional Development program with many affiliates already within various timelines of expiration, we’ve prorated the credits current affiliates will need to earn to maintain their affiliate status. If you were set to expire in 2022, you still are regardless of the new professional development program. You will now need to earn 10 credits over the course of 2022 to maintain your affiliate status, which will then renew for another 5 years at the end of 2022.

  • If you are due to expire in 2023, you will need to collect 20 credits before the end of 2023
  • If you are due to expire in 2024, you will need to collect 30 credits before the end of 2024
  • If you are due to expire in 2025, you will need to collect 40 credits before the end of 2025
  • If you are due to expire in 2026, you will need to collect 50 credits before the end of 2026

Can I use a conference from 2020 or 2021 toward my required credits?

Opportunities before 2022 or before your NMT Training will not be accepted towards your required NMT Professional Development credits. 

Is it possible for Affiliates and Fellows to check how many credits they have logged, or should they keep track on our own?

It can be helpful to keep track of the hours you log but you can also contact the academy at nmt@nmtacademy.co for an official record.  

Are we able to log a combination of supervision hours on one form or do we need to upload each supervision session separately? 

You may log as many hours of supervision as you would like on one form submission, but you can only log one type of professional development at a time. 

How many credits will I receive if I retake the training? 

Can we apply NMT credits to other professional organizations (e.g.., CBMT, CAMT) at the same time?

Absolutely, as long as they meet the criteria for both organizations.

When attending a conference, does it have to be a specific NMT conference or would the AMTA conference count?

The content you are claiming needs to be relevant to Music and Neuroscience (e.g., if you attend an AMTA conference and there is a neuroscience track/stream and you can justify why it is relevant to your work in NMT then you can receive credit).

What is self-study? Where can we find the materials or books? How many credits do we receive?

This is material that you find on your own or on the NMT Website. We try to keep our research pages up to date with recent research: https://nmtacademy.co/whats-new/ and https://nmtacademy.co/supporting-research-by-technique/ . The material must be relevant to Music and Neuroscience. The credit amount will be based on the number of hours you spend.  You can earn up to 5 credits within Self Study.

If you retroactively watch a global meeting, does it only count if it refers to recordings of meetings from 2022 and on, or does this extend to watching earlier meetings?

You may watch any Global Support Meeting and submit it for NMT credit as long as you watch it after January 2022.

How do we log our hours on the NMT website? 

You can log your credits on a rolling basis by completing the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdY4IpmXvgylZj05-1zgmdcWEEmsRt_1NVQ9kGq6W0lVEWV-A/viewform 

Students

Am I able to take the NMT Training as a student or an intern? 

Absolutely! Students and interns are more than welcome to register for the NMT training.  

Will I receive the same certificate? 

Yes! You will receive the same certificate of completion as the other participants. 

How will I be listed on the NMT Registry?

You will be listed as a “Student” until you complete your training/schooling. 

What do I do once I finish school and receive my certification in my field?

Once you finish your training/schooling and receive your certification, you can email nmt@nmtacademy.co with proof of your status and we will update the NMT Registry. 

Are there NMT Universities? 

While individual educators may be NMT Educator Affiliates of the Academy, there are no specific NMT university degrees or university programs endorsed by the Academy. Individuals may only acquire the NMT designation through the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy training programs. Additionally, all NMT affiliates must complete the required professional development necessary to maintain affiliation with the Academy.

If I intern with an NMT clinic, do I still need to take the NMT Training? 

Yes. Individuals are only able to acquire the NMT designation through the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy training programs and must do so to use the NMT Techniques in their practice.  

If I take the NMT Training as an intern, can I practice what I’ve learned? 

If you take the NMT Training before you complete your training as a professional, you may practice what you have learned, but remember that you are a student and not an NMT or NMTAP until you finalize your training. It is strongly recommended that you have an NMT Mentor that can answer your questions and to whom you may reach out for resources. 

Can I earn CBMT CMTE credits if I take the NMT training as a student? 

If you take the NMT Training before you receive your MT-BC, you are not eligible to submit the NMT Training for CMTE credits.