Bill
HF 4471
Minnesota will require licensed music therapists to practice and use protected titles starting January 1, 2027, with a new licensure framework, continuing education, and disciplina
HF4471 Summary — Minnesota 94th Legislature (2025-2026)
Title
Music therapist licensure created, fees established, and civil penalties imposed.
Purpose and intent
- Create a state-licensing framework for the profession of music therapy in Minnesota.
- Establish licensure qualifications, regulated practice, continuing education, disciplinary processes, and fee structure.
- Protect titles and regulate unauthorized practice to ensure public safety and professional standards.
Effective timeline (highlights)
- January 1, 2026: Effective date for the criminal history background check requirement update (Sec. 1).
- July 1, 2026: Most major provisions for licensure, the Music Therapy Advisory Council, and related regulations become effective (Secs. 2-4, 6-16, 17; various sections specify 7/1/2026 effective dates).
- January 1, 2027: Enforcement begins for requiring licensure to practice music therapy (Sec. 4 and Sec. 5).
Key provisions
1) New licensure framework (Chapters 148H)
- Scope and definitions (Sec. 2-3)
- Establishes [148H] Music Therapy licensure regime.
- Defines terms: licensed professional music therapist (LPMT), board-certified music therapist, music-based interventions, practice of music therapy, advisory council, etc.
- Requires licensure for practice, use of protected titles, and representation of licensure.
Licensure qualifications (Sec. 6-7)
Licensure categories (Sec. 8-9)
Continuing education (Sec. 11)
Renewal and maintenance (Sec. 12)
2) Protection of titles and exemptions (Sec. 5)
- Prohibits use of protected titles (licensed music therapist, LPMT) without licensure.
- Prohibits implying state licensure when not licensed.
- Exemptions include: professionals practicing incidental music within other licensed roles, federal government employment, supervised student training, and certain certified “music healing” professionals who are not represented publicly as music therapists.
3) Governance and advisory structure (Sec. 4)
- Music Therapy Advisory Council established to advise on licensure standards, enforcement, applications, and investigations.
- Composition: six members (three licensed professional music therapists with diverse practice settings and geographic representation; three public members, including consumers of music therapy and a related profession representative).
- Council duties include review of investigations and recommendations on licensure actions; ongoing liaison with the commissioner.
4) Practice standards and professional conduct (Sec. 14-16)
- Practice expectations: referrals, assessment, treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, collaboration with treatment teams, and clear limitations regarding the role vis-à-vis audiology or speech-language pathology.
- Collaboration requirements emphasize multidisciplinary coordination and not replacing other licensed professionals.
- Grounds for denial or discipline enumerated (including incompetence, false information, unsafe practice, billing misconduct, sexual misconduct, noncompliance with orders, etc.).
- Disciplinary actions may include license denial, suspension, revocation, conditions, civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, and other remedies.
- Inclusion of a health professionals services program contract option to assist practitioners, while preserving the department’s disciplinary authority.
5) Fees (Sec. 17)
- Establishes licensing-related fees (initial licensure, temporary licensure, renewal, late renewal, verification, duplicate license). Specific dollar amounts are to be determined (placeholders shown in the bill), with pro rata initial licensure timing and nonrefundable fees.
- Fee revenues deposited to the state government special revenue fund.
- Penalty fees for unauthorized practice or continued practice without current licensure are described to deter violations.
Impact and who is affected
- Prospective and current music therapists in Minnesota will need to obtain licensure to practice (effective 1/1/2027 for practice and title use).
- Schools and employers will need to ensure staff meet licensure requirements; may require verification of board certification or reciprocity for hires.
- Public and clients will gain strengthened protections, including standardized qualifications, ongoing CE requirements, and formal disciplinary processes for misconduct.
- The Health Department and the new Music Therapy Advisory Council will oversee licensure, enforcement, and professional standards.
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill lays out phased implementation: background check updates take effect 1/1/2026; licensure framework and advisory council take effect 7/1/2026; licensure enforcement and practice requirements begin 1/1/2027.
- Initial Music Therapy Advisory Council appointments by August 1, 2026; first council meeting by September 1, 2026.
- Applications and processes for general licensure, temporary licensure, and reciprocity will follow the outlined sections, with standard regulatory hearings and reconsideration provisions.
This summary focuses on substantive provisions, implementation timelines, and who is affected. If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with similar professions or a plain-language FAQ for licensees and employers.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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