Navigating the Path to Becoming a Board Certified Music Therapist: Study Tips and Resources for the CBMT Exam
Since we work with interns and new professionals, we’ve heard a lot about the CBMT Exam over the years. As you may know, the journey to becoming a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) culminates in the Music Therapy Board Certification Test (CBMT Exam). It can be daunting to face, especially if you have to take it multiple times - so we hope to share some resources with you to best equip you for the challenge. *This is not endorsed by CBMT, but resources assembled by my team who have suggested them helpful!
Understanding the CBMT Exam
1. Exam Domains
To familiarize yourself with what the test covers, it's essential to understand the core categories the exam assesses. The CBMT provides a Board Certification Domains document which gives a comprehensive breakdown of the multi-faceted domains of music therapy practice. This includes:
Safety
Referral, Assessment, Interpretation of Assessment and Treatment Planning
Treatment Implementation and Documentation
Evaluation and Termination of Treatment
Professional Development and Responsibilities
Each domain encompasses specific competencies that form the backbone of the examination. Familiarizing yourself with these domains lays the groundwork for studying and is specifically recommended by CBMT.
2. What to Expect
CBMT created a webinar series to showcase the whole process around being board certified as a music therapist. The second webinar in the series - “The CBMT Exam Process: What to Expect” I think would be most helpful to watch prior to taking the exam, shown below. They discuss a variety of studying techniques, types of questions on the exam, and other information about what to expect!
Studying Resources
Besides studying the CBMT Board Certification Domains, there are a variety of materials and resources available to you (including one we made to share!). Studying can take lots of shapes and forms, so take advantage of what’s available and hopefully we’ll share something new -
1. CBMT Practice Exams
While these exams do cost some money, they give you the practical experience and mimic the formatting of the real thing. Our team and other professors I’ve talked with have mentioned the value of having the testing experience to help with nerves and understand pacing of the exam. CBMT offers two versions of the exam and have an online portal that proctors the test. Results are sent to you immediately via email with justifications for each question and answer. These explanations can be a valuable insight to understanding how to answer questions based on what CBMT wants to hear!
2. Online Flashcards
There are great free resources online to continue your study efforts and also experience a mock test. GoConqr.com is a website that has quizzing materials, including this practice exam that is the same length as the real exam. You can search “CBMT Exam” in their search feature to find over 30 resource options (though I’m unsure how much duplication these is amongst the materials!). Quizlet.com also has several sets of online flashcards that could be an option for study.
3. Study Guides
As you gather information from the domains, practice tests, etc. on what you might see on the exam, it can be helpful to compile all of this information in one place so you know where to find it. Stay organized so you can actually find the information when you need it - a binder and tabs or a digital version with headings and a search feature should do just fine! The Aspire team has built a study guide that multiple of our therapists used for testing that we’re excited to share with you to download at the end of the blog!
4. Your Peers
Don’t neglect to take advantage of your community if you know others studying to take the exam. This could be former classmates, a co-intern, or reaching out on social media to find a study partner! Having a community to study with (even if it’s only one other person) can give you opportunities to quiz each other, share resources, or discuss experiences if you’ve taken the test.
5. The Music Therapy Community
From what I’ve seen in the music therapy community, we are rooting for you and WANT you to pass! Check out these resources from our profession:
There’s a Facebook group called MT-BC Study Group where you can connect with others, share resources, and receive advice!
In the region where I am located, our GLR AMTA has been hosting video conference trainings on test topics seen on the CBMT Exam. They have recently been covering various clientele populations, including older adult / hospice and Autism Spectrum Disorder. These trainings are available to watch here, with information on future trainings found on the GLR AMTA Instagram.
Kat Fulton with Music Therapy Ed also made an hour long MT-BC Exam Prep Workshop video with multiple guests to discuss test taking tips that you can find here and linked below. They provide some valuable study and test taking tips that I highly recommend watching! (*note the ability to challenge results is NOT available).
Amber Rogers is a music therapist who helps tutor individuals studying to take the exam. She’s featured on a podcast episode here with the Care Chronicles podcast, which is available to listen to below. Amber also has a company called Sequel Melody with multiple resources to help individuals prepare for the exam.
Parting Words
From experience, I’ve seen some very successful music therapists have to take the test several times before passing. Please take hope that this does not necessarily mean you are ill-equipped for the job! And if you pass with a 95 (the lowest passing grade) - great! It’s a pass and also not necessarily a measure of your success. We are rooting for you!
