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SB 88MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Maryland authorizes limited music therapy licenses for supervised practice

Original title: State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy

Last action · April 14, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 31Sponsor: Dawn Gile

Companion · HB 7same policy, House version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Maryland creates a for music therapy applicants to practice under supervision while completing full licensing requirements, beginning October 1, 2026. The State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists will issue the credential for a one-year term, with a single one-year renewal permitted.

Why it matters

Enables individuals completing music therapy training to legally practice and earn clinical experience under a fully licensed professional while pursuing full state licensure, with a two-year cumulative cap before a mandatory one-year waiting period applies.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Music therapy applicants

Applicants may obtain a limited license to practice under supervision while completing full licensing requirements.

Directly affected

Fully licensed music therapists

Fully licensed music therapists may supervise limited license holders during their practice.

Directly affected

State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists

The Board is authorized to issue, renew, and set fees for limited music therapy licenses.

Key Facts

  • The State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists is authorized to issue a limited license to practice music therapy.
  • An applicant for a limited license must meet all regular license requirements except for the examination, demonstrate supervision by a fully licensed music therapist, submit an application form, and pay the required fee.
  • A limited license expires on the first anniversary of its effective date.
  • The Board may renew a limited license once for an additional one-year term upon submission of a renewal application and fee.
Show all 6 facts
  • If a limited license holder fails to receive a full license within two years of initial issuance, the individual must wait at least one year before applying for another limited license.
  • This Act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for a limited music therapy license in Maryland?
An applicant who meets all regular license requirements except for the examination, commits to practicing under the supervision of a fully licensed music therapist, submits the required application, and pays the application fee.
How long is a limited music therapy license valid?
A expires on the first anniversary of its effective date and may be renewed once for an additional one-year term.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions
  1. Apr 14, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 31
  2. Apr 3, 2026SenateFloor
    Returned Passed
  3. Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
    Third Reading Passed (133-0)
  4. Apr 1, 2026HouseFloor
    Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
  5. Apr 1, 2026HouseCommittee
    Favorable Report by Health
  6. Mar 17, 2026House
    Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 8 earlier actions
  1. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred Health
  2. Feb 12, 2026SenateFloor
    Third Reading Passed (44-0)
  3. Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
    Second Reading Passed
  4. Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
    Favorable Adopted
  5. Feb 9, 2026SenateCommittee
    Favorable Report by Finance
  6. Jan 21, 2026Senate
    Hearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m.
  7. Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroduced
    First Reading Finance
  8. Sep 9, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Pre-filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Dawn GileSenate · District 33DemocraticSponsor

Connected Entities

American Music Therapy Association, Certification Board for Music Therapists, Maryland and 1 more
OrganizationAmerican Music Therapy Association“Establishes education and clinical training requirements for board-certified mus”Map →
OrganizationCertification Board for Music Therapists“Provides current board certification for music therapists”Map →
locationMaryland“State where the legislation applies”Map →
OrganizationState Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists“Issues music therapy licenses and limited licenses”Map →

Sources

Open source document

mgaleg.maryland.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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