CAHP

Certified Arts in Health Practitioner (CAHP)

1. Credential Overview

The Certified Arts in Health Practitioner (CAHP) credential is designed for professionals who apply the creative arts to promote health, well-being, and quality of life in healthcare, community, wellness, and other relevant settings. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated professional competence in arts in health practice through diverse educational, cultural, and experiential pathways, while upholding professional standards, inclusive and culturally responsive practice, ethical principles, applicable laws and regulations, and the distinctive creative arts traditions, methodologies, and professional practices of the regions and communities in which they work. Credential holders contribute to person-centered, community-centered, and interdisciplinary approaches that support health, well-being, and social inclusion.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Membership: Active membership of IACAET with annual renewal as well as annual credential renewal
• Education and Training (one or more):
  • A degree and/or structured training/apprenticeship in the application of the arts in healthcare, community, or wellness settings, or
  • Equivalent substantial training in an art form or practice as applied within these contexts.
  • Education must include an understanding or training in group facilitation for diverse populations, ethics, safeguarding, and boundaries of professional practice.
• Supervised Practice: Evidence of supervised/mentored experience in healthcare, wellness, or community settings (including indigenous or culturally specific contexts), attested to in recommendation letters.
• Professional Conduct: Agreement to comply with the IACAET Code of Ethics and uphold applicable professional and ethical standards

This framework recognizes diverse forms of knowledge, including indigenous knowledge systems, lineage-based training, and extended mentorship.

3. Application Pathways

IACAET recognizes that professional competence may be developed through diverse academic, experiential, and culturally grounded pathways. Applicants may apply through one of the following pathways:

• Regular Pathway: For applicants who meet the eligibility requirements described above
• Grandparenting Pathway: For established practitioners who may not meet all formal academic criteria but demonstrate equivalent professional competence and This pathway is available only during the initial 1–2 years following the launch of the credential
• Exceptional Pathway: For practitioners with outstanding professional contributions, substantial expertise, or unique qualifications. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis

4. Required Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit supporting documentation, which may include:

• Application Statement (explaining the motivation, why and how the applicant meets all the criteria for the category of application, including personal and professional artistic activities) (maximum 1000 words for Regular Pathway)
• Brief CV to support the application statement, including the links of portfolio (video, website, blogs etc.) when necessary (maximum 1000 words for Regular Pathway)
• Copies of original degrees and transcripts as appropriate and other relevant training programs
• Letters of recommendation from appropriate mentors/colleagues

5. Core Competencies

Holders of the CAHP credential demonstrate the ability to:

• Integrate creative arts into healthcare, therapeutic, community, and wellness practices
• Understand intersections between the arts, health, and well-being
• Apply ethical boundaries and ensure appropriate, non-clinical use of the arts
• Collaborate with healthcare and wellness professionals to support holistic care
• Draw upon theoretical frameworks, indigenous knowledge, or relevant research to articulate the efficacy of their work
• Demonstrate awareness of current literature and evidence in arts and health

6. Scope of Practice

Credential holders are recognized as qualified to:

• Apply creative arts practices to enhance well-being in diverse contexts
• Support individuals and communities through meaningful creative engagement
• Work alongside healthcare and allied professionals, with the understanding that this credential does not authorize clinical therapy practice unless otherwise qualified
• Contribute to culturally responsive and inclusive practices across diverse populations
• Commit to innovation, dialogue, and knowledge exchange in arts and health practice.

7. Ethical Standards

Credential holders commit to:

• Practicing in accordance with IACAET’s Code of Ethics and international ethical principles.
• Ensuring care, safety, and respect in all professional engagements.
• Safeguarding the rights of participants, particularly in relation to authorship, documentation, and use of creative work.

Respecting cultural traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and diverse ways of knowing.

8. Ongoing Professional Development

• Credential holders must complete a minimum of 25 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) annually to maintain their CAHP
• Renewal requires evidence of CPD activities, which may include short professional training courses, workshops, conferences, research, reflective practice, supervision, or other relevant professional development activities. CPD ensures that credential holders remain responsive to evolving knowledge, educational practice, ethical standards, and community needs.