Step one: Get a music therapy degree
You can get a Bachelor’s or Equivalency Degree, but it has to be music therapy specifically. A combination of music and psychology is not enough, because there are required courses specific to the practice of music therapy that you won’t get anywhere else.
Step two: Complete an internship
Most internships take around 6 months full-time. You need to log 1040 hours of internship time; some of this time can be completed while you are earning your degree.
Step three: Board Certification Exam
You register, you study, you take the Board Certification Exam. If you pass, the Certification Board will name you a “Music Therapist – Board Certified” and you can add MT-BC after your name.
Step four: Continuing education
Re-certification comes up every five years and you will need to log 100 hours of continuing education during that time.
Step five: (optional) Specialized training
Many music therapists choose to continue their education by getting an additional specialization, such as NMT (Neurologic Music Therapist) or NRMT (Nordoff-Robbins MT)
image source: http://www.imamusictherapist.com/how-to-become-a-music-therapist/