(a) As used in this section, acceptable national certifying or registering body means a national certifying or registering body that the department determines is recognized nationwide as an organization that certifies or registers creative arts therapists throughout the United States based upon a review of their qualifications to practice creative arts therapy and must have adequate standards for the review of the applicant's qualifications for practicing creative arts therapy, as determined by the department. Such standards must include standards for the review of the applicant's education and experience for practicing creative arts therapy and may include an examination requirement.

1. (1) Alternative route one. An applicant may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the following alternative requirements. The applicant shall:

   1. (i) file an application for licensure by January 1, 2006 and pay the fee for the initial license and the fee for the first registration period, as prescribed in section 8404(3)(g) of the Education Law;
   2. (ii) be of good moral character as determined by the department;
   3. (iii) be at least 21 years of age; and

   4. (iv) have completed a master's or higher degree program in creative arts therapy, including but not limited to art, music, dance, drama, psychodrama, or poetry therapies, that is registered by the department pursuant to Part 52 of this Title, or is an equivalent program as determined by the department, provided that the program includes:

      1. (a) coursework that contains curricular content in the study of:

         1. (1) one or more of the creative arts therapies, including but not limited to art, music, dance, drama, psychodrama, or poetry therapies, for the practice of creative arts therapy as defined in section 8404(1) of the Education Law;
         2. (2) human growth and development;
         3. (3) theories in creative arts therapy;
         4. (4) assessment and appraisal of individuals and groups;
         5. (5) research and program evaluation;
         6. (6) clinical instruction; and
      2. (b) a supervised internship or supervised practicum in the practice of creative arts therapy; and
   5. (v) after completing the master's or higher degree program prescribed in subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, have engaged in the practice of creative arts therapy, as defined in section 8404(1) of the Education Law, for at least 1,500 clock hours.

2. (2) Alternative route two. An applicant may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the following alternative requirements. The applicant shall:

   1. (i) file an application for licensure by January 1, 2006 and pay the fee for the initial license and the fee for the first registration period, as prescribed in section 8404(3)(g) of the Education Law;
   2. (ii) be of good moral character as determined by the department;
   3. (iii) be at least 21 years of age;
   4. (iv) have engaged in the practice of creative arts therapy, as defined in section 8404(1) of the Education Law, on a full- time basis for seven years or the part-time equivalent. For purposes of this subparagraph, practice on a full-time basis shall mean 800 clock hours in the practice of creative arts therapy, earned over a 52-week period;
   5. (v) have submitted certifications from three individuals who meet the qualifications for supervisors of the experience requirement, as prescribed in section 79-11.3(c)(2) of this Subpart, endorsing the applicant's good professional ethics and clinical competence to practice creative arts therapy. Such certifications shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the department; and

   6. (vi) either:

      1. (a) have completed a baccalaureate or higher degree program in creative arts therapy that is registered by the department pursuant to Part 52 of this Title or is an equivalent program, provided that the applicant demonstrates the completion of coursework within such a program that contains curricular content in the study of: one or more of the arts, including but not limited to music, the fine arts, theater, or literature, for the practice of creative arts therapy; human growth and development; theories in creative arts therapy; and research or program evaluation; or

      2. (b) document to the satisfaction of the department:

         1. (1) having completed a baccalaureate or higher degree program in a program in any field that is registered by the department pursuant to Part 52 of this Title or is an equivalent program; and
         2. (2) certification or registration by an acceptable national certifying or registering body, as defined by subdivision (a) of this section. For use under this subdivision, such certification or registration need not be current but shall not have been revoked for misconduct and/or unethical activities. For documentation of the applicant's certification or registration status to be sufficient, the acceptable national certifying or registering body must submit documentation verifying the applicant's certification or registration status directly to the department.

(b) Alternative requirements.

In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all of the other requirements on or before December 31, 2006.

(c) In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist, as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant meets files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all of the other requirements on or before December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

1. (1) file an application for licensure by January 1, 2006 and pay the fee for the initial license and the fee for the first registration period, as prescribed in section 8404(3)(g) of the Education Law;
2. (2) meet all requirements for the license as a creative arts therapist prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, except the examination requirement; and

3. (3) either:

   1. (i) have certification or registration by an acceptable national certifying or registering body, as defined by subdivision (a) of this section. For use under this subdivision, such certification or registration need not be current but shall not have been revoked for misconduct and/or unethical activities. For documentation of the applicant's certification or registration status to be sufficient, the acceptable national certifying or registering body must submit documentation verifying the applicant's certification or registration status directly to the department; or
   2. (ii) if there is no acceptable national certifying or registering body for creative arts therapists as defined in subdivision (a) of this section, have engaged in the practice of creative arts therapy, as defined in section 8404(1) of the Education Law, on a full-time basis for five years of the immediately preceding eight years prior to application for licensure. For purposes of this subparagraph, practice on a full-time basis shall mean 800 clock hours in the practice of creative arts therapy, earned over a 52-week period.