Plans to Recognise Art Therapists as Allied Health Professionals under Allied Health Professions Act

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Health whether there are plans to recognise art therapists as allied health professionals under the Allied Health Professions Act.

The Allied Health Professions Act provides for the registration of prescribed allied health professionals. One of the key objectives of the Act is to ensure patient safety and wellbeing by regulating allied health practices which may cause adverse outcomes if inadequately trained persons are allowed to practice.

Art therapy by its nature does not pose significant risk of harm to patients. There are presently 381 art therapists who are registered as members of the Art Therapists’ Association of Singapore (ATAS).  MOH currently has no plans to regulate art therapy under the AHPA.