URGENT! Call to Action for LCAT Regulations

URGENT Call to Action Regarding Proposed Continuing Education Regulations for the LCAT

DEADLINE for Comments: December 28, 2015.


The New York State Task Force (NYSTF) continues to monitor activity in NYS related to the implementation of the Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) law. We are issuing a crucial call to action at this time. We just learned of a public comment period, concluding onDecember 28, regarding proposed additions to the Regulations of the Commissioners of Education outlining details on mandatory continuing education requirements for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs). While NYSTF supports the implementation of continuing education requirements as a component of maintaining current registration as a licensee, some of the specifics in the proposed regulations are of tremendous concern.

It is anticipated that the proposed rules will be presented to the Board of Regents for permanent adoption at the January 2016 Regents meeting, scheduled for January 11th and 12th.
We are attaching four items for you to review (click to view):
  1. A .pdf of the complete proposed rules;
  2. A document highlighting the sections that NYSTF is particularly concerned about;
  3. A copy of the letter that NYSTF is sending to Deputy Commissioner Douglas Lentivech;
  4. A comparison chart of New York’s proposed credits for continuing education alongside those granted by CBMT for the same educational activities, prepared by our national Government Relations team.

We are asking that you review the proposed rules, use the NYSTF letter as a guideline for writing your own letter, and submit your comments by the December 28th deadline as indicated here in information from the Office of the Professions website:

If you have any comments on the proposed rules, please submit them by December 28, 2015, which is the end of the SAPA required public comment period, to Douglas Lentivech, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Professions, 89 Washington Ave., 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12234-1000 or by email to OPDEPCOM@nysed.gov.

Because of the short time frame available, we strongly encourage you to submit your comments via email and ask that you copy the task force in so that we can track our activity on this effort. AMTA and CBMT are preparing letters to send to the state about the proposed regulations as well.

We remain vigilant in monitoring activity in Albany and maintaining contact with associates there, and encourage you to continue to contact us with your questions and concerns.
In the spirit of service,
The New York State Task Force on Occupational Regulation
MAR/AMTA
nystf@aol.com