Continuing Professional Development

Introduction
Key documents
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History

Frequently Asked Questions (RMT only area- see Continuing Professional Development Update)

The Australian Music Therapy Association instituted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in 2005. This brings the professions into line with other allied health professions in Australia, and other music therapy organisations internationally.

The purpose of CPD is to ensure that all music therapists registered with AMTA are maintaining currency in their knowledge and skills. This is good for both the therapist and the profession. Personally, the therapist can be confident in his/her ability to fulfil all professional responsibilities. The profession benefits from a good standard of professional accountability. This is a precursor to government related issues such as health insurance coverage and legislated qualifications.

The CPD program follows are fairly standard format in which the RMT is required to complete 100 points of activity over a period of 5 years. Most RMTs will probably satisfy the requirements using existing activities. These are all spelled out carefully in the CPD Handbook along with examples of point accrual and frequently asked questions.

Each RMT lists activities in the CPD Logbook and submits the logbook either in hard copy or electronic form each five years.

We understand that this is a new process and many people will have questions. Please contact the CPD Committee to discuss any issues you might have.

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CPD Handbook – information about points accrual, time periods, frequently asked questions.
(Word format - 153k) (pdf format - 124k)

CPD Logbook – the book in which you list your CPD points.
(Word format - 221k) (pdf format - 139k)

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The Association has been committed to a plan of continuing education for its registered members since 1992. The National Council of the day produced the first outline for consideration by its registered members at the Professional Development Seminar in Lorne 1993. The members felt that we first needed to strengthen and specify the competencies of the entry level professional and the continuing development program was postponed. The Competency Standards in Music Therapy were prepared by Jane Edwards, Chair of the National Registration and Education Board (now separated into the National Registration Committee and National Education Committee) in 1996. Over the next few years these standards were implemented and the ensuing standards for Course Accreditation were prepared and also implemented.

In 2001, the National Council auspiced a task-force under the direction of Rob in Howat RMT to prepare models of continuing education for consideration by the RMTs. The process of consultation was notable for its periods of thorough discussion and review of the model.

Finally at the 2004 AGM, the membership voted in support of the CPD model and its implementation in 2005. An 11 year journey was completed with the standards of training and accreditation for Australian RMTs clearly articulated and strengthened for the future.

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