Credentials FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions provide general guidance about IACAET Professional Credentials and the credentialing process.

For detailed requirements, applicants should review the relevant credential page and the IACAET_Credential_Application_Guide.

About IACAET Credentials

What professional credentials does IACAET offer?

IACAET offers three professional credentials:

CCAE — Certified Creative Arts Educator
For professionals who integrate learning through the creative arts within educational, community, cultural, and other educationally oriented settings.

CCAT — Certified Creative Arts Therapist
For qualified professionals who use the creative arts as therapeutic modalities within an appropriate therapeutic framework and scope of practice.

CAHP — Certified Arts in Health Practitioner
For professionals who apply the creative arts to promote health, wellbeing, and quality of life in healthcare, community, wellness, and related settings.

How do I know which credential is right for me?

Consider the primary purpose and scope of your professional practice.

If your work is primarily educational and focused on learning through the creative arts, CCAE may be appropriate.

If you are professionally trained to use the creative arts within therapeutic practice, CCAT may be appropriate.

If your work uses the arts to support health and wellbeing but is not clinical creative arts therapy, CAHP may be appropriate.

Please review the eligibility requirements and scope of practice for each credential before applying.

Is an IACAET credential the same as IACAET membership?

No.

IACAET membership provides participation in the Association and access to membership benefits and the professional community.

An IACAET Professional Credential recognizes that an individual has met the applicable requirements and professional standards for CCAE, CCAT, or CAHP.

Active IACAET membership is required to apply for and maintain an IACAET credential.

Is an IACAET credential a professional licence?

No.

IACAET credentials are professional credentials awarded by IACAET. They do not constitute governmental licensure or statutory registration and do not replace professional registration, licensure, certification, or other legal authorization that may be required in a particular country or jurisdiction.

Credential holders remain responsible for ensuring that their professional practice complies with all applicable local laws, regulations, and professional requirements.

Eligibility & Application Pathways

What are the eligibility requirements?

Each credential has its own eligibility requirements relating to education and training, professional experience, supervision or mentorship where applicable, professional conduct, and other credential-specific requirements.

Please consult the relevant page:

[CCAE Eligibility Requirements]
[CCAT Eligibility Requirements]
[CAHP Eligibility Requirements]

What application pathways are available?

IACAET provides three application pathways:

Regular Pathway — for applicants who meet the established eligibility requirements.

Grandparenting Pathway — for established practitioners who may not meet all formal academic criteria but can demonstrate equivalent professional competence and expertise.

Exceptional Pathway — for practitioners with outstanding professional contributions, substantial expertise, or unique qualifications. Applications are considered individually on a case-by-case basis.

Does Grandparenting mean a lower standard?

No.

The pathways provide different ways of demonstrating eligibility and professional competence. They do not represent different levels of the credential.

Successful applicants receive the same respective IACAET credential regardless of the application pathway.

How long will the Grandparenting Pathway be available?

The Grandparenting Pathway is a transitional pathway available during the initial period following the launch of the IACAET credentials.

IACAET will publish the applicable closing date once determined.

Can I apply through the Exceptional Pathway if I do not meet the Regular requirements?

The Exceptional Pathway is intended for practitioners with outstanding professional contributions, substantial expertise, or unique qualifications whose professional background may not fit the standard eligibility framework.

Applications are assessed individually and sufficient evidence must be provided to demonstrate professional competence appropriate to the credential sought.

The Exceptional Pathway should not be understood simply as an alternative route for applicants who do not meet the Regular Pathway requirements.

Preparing & Submitting an Application

Do I need to be an IACAET member before applying?

Yes. Applicants must hold active IACAET membership.

Membership and credential application fees are separate.

[Join IACAET]
[View Application & Fees]

What documents will I need?

Required documentation varies according to the credential and application pathway.

Depending on the credential, applicants may be required to provide an application statement, CV, evidence of qualifications and professional training, transcripts, evidence of professional practice, supervision or mentorship documentation, recommendations or reports, and other relevant supporting evidence.

CCAT applicants in private practice may also be required to provide evidence of professional liability insurance or an applicable exemption.

Please review your credential’s requirements and the Applicant Guide before beginning your application.

[Read IACAET_Credential_Application_Guide_v1.2]

Can I apply if my education or professional training does not follow a conventional university pathway?

Potentially.

The IACAET credentialing framework recognizes that professional competence may develop through diverse academic, experiential, cultural, and professionally established pathways.

The extent to which alternative education, training, apprenticeship, mentorship, cultural knowledge, or professional experience may be considered depends on the credential and application pathway.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of their education, training, experience, and professional competence.

What if my qualifications or supporting documents are not in English?

Please follow the document and translation requirements described in the IACAET_Credential_Application_Guide_v1.2.

Can I apply for more than one IACAET credential?

An individual whose professional education, experience, and scope of practice meet the requirements of more than one credential may apply separately for each relevant credential.

Each application is assessed against the requirements of the credential being sought.

Application Review

How are applications reviewed?

Applications are reviewed by the appropriate IACAET credential review structure according to the standards established for CCAE, CCAT, or CAHP.

The review may consider qualifications, professional training and experience, supervision or mentorship, application materials, references, and evidence of relevant professional competencies.

Does meeting the eligibility requirements guarantee that I will receive the credential?

No.

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements allows an application to be considered but does not automatically result in the award of a credential.

During the review process, IACAET may request additional documentation, clarification, supervision, professional development, or other evidence before making a final decision.

What happens if additional information is needed?

Applicants may be contacted and asked to provide additional documentation, clarification, or other evidence relevant to the assessment of their application.

What happens if my application is not approved?

IACAET is committed to a fair and transparent credentialing process. Applicants whose applications are not initially approved may receive feedback and, where appropriate, guidance concerning further development or requirements.

Appeals are handled in accordance with the applicable IACAET credentialing and professional procedures.

Are application fees refundable if my application is unsuccessful?

Please refer to the current Application & Fees policy and Applicant Guide for information concerning payment and refunds.

Maintaining Your Credential

How long is an IACAET credential valid?

IACAET Professional Credentials are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Credential holders must continue to meet the applicable membership, professional, ethical, and Continuing Professional Development requirements.

Is Continuing Professional Development required?

Yes.

Annual CPD requirements are:

CCAE — minimum 25 hours per year
CCAT — minimum 30 hours per year
CAHP — minimum 25 hours per year

Evidence of CPD is required as part of credential renewal.

What activities can count as CPD?

Relevant CPD may include professional training courses, workshops, conferences, research and scholarly activities, reflective practice, supervision or mentoring, and other professional development relevant to the credential holder’s field and scope of practice.

What happens if I do not renew my credential?

A credential that has not been renewed will no longer have active status.

Credential holders should not represent an expired credential as currently active.

Please consult the Renewal & CPD page for renewal and reinstatement requirements.

Professional Practice & Ethics

Do credential holders have to follow the IACAET Code of Ethics?

Yes.

All CCAE, CCAT, and CAHP credential holders are required to practise in accordance with the IACAET Code of Ethics and the professional and ethical requirements applicable to their credential.

[Standards & Ethics]

Does CAHP allow me to practise creative arts therapy?

No, not on the basis of the CAHP credential alone.

CAHP recognizes professional practice using the arts to support health and wellbeing. It does not authorize clinical or therapeutic practice unless the individual is independently qualified and legally permitted to provide such services.

Does CCAE authorize therapeutic practice?

No.

CCAE recognizes professional practice in creative arts education and learning. The credential does not authorize clinical therapeutic intervention.

Does CCAT automatically allow me to practise therapy anywhere in the world?

No.

CCAT recognizes that an applicant has met the applicable IACAET credentialing standards for creative arts therapy. Credential holders must still comply with any licensing, registration, professional, insurance, or other legal requirements applicable in the country or jurisdiction where they practise.

Credential Verification

How can an employer or member of the public verify my credential?

Current credential status can be checked through the IACAET Credential Verification service using the credential holder’s name or credential number.

[Verify a Credential]

What information is shown through credential verification?

Public verification may include the credential holder’s name, credential type, credential number, current credential status, initial award date, and current validity period.

Still Have Questions?

If your question is not answered above, please first review the relevant credential page and the IACAET_Credential_Application_Guide.

For further assistance, contact the IACAET Credentialing Team:

credentials@iacaet.org