IGNITE YOUR IMPACT.
NCTRC certification signifies that a recreational therapist has the knowledge, skill, and ability that is well recognized as being essential for the practice of recreational therapy. This healthcare profession serves all populations across the lifespan including children, adolescents and adults.
The mission of the Department of Therapeutic Recreation is to provide student-centered programs and services that promote student success within the health care discipline. We strategically implement student success through experiencing excellent teaching within classes in clinical assessment, evaluation techniques, research, and internships. Additionally, students are continuously supported across their chosen patient populations in ways that encourage professional and interpersonal development from undergraduates to leaders in the community.
The Therapeutic Recreation (TR) major curriculum is built on industry best practices, all courses are pre-approved by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC). The Therapeutic Recreation major requires students to complete 120 course credits including a 560 hour internship within a clinical or community setting. These specific TR courses are designed to meet the specifications and requirements of NCTRC. All our course syllabi are reviewed by the Council to ensure our students are ELIGIBLE to sit for the NCTRC certification exam upon graduation.
How to Become a Qualified Provider as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist:
Individuals seeking certification apply to NCTRC and must meet established standards that include education, experience, and continuing professional development. The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential is granted by the NCTRC after the specific educational and experiential qualifications are met, eligibility to take the exam is established, and testing is successfully completed.
Candidates are eligible to register for the NCTRC certification exam if they are in compliance with NCTRC’s Certification Standards and Prerequisites, and it has been determined by NCTRC that all professional eligibility requirements have been met through either the academic or equivalency paths.
When a candidate is awarded the CTRS credential, it serves as evidence that the individual, through knowledge and experience, has met NCTRC’s CTRS Certification Standards. The award of the CTRS credential is a limited license to use the titles of “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist®” and “CTRS®” subject to NCTRC’s Certification Standards.
Steps to Certification:
- Read the complete NCTRC Certification Standards
- Choose the appropriate Path to Certification and meet the requirements.
- Complete and submit the Professional Eligibility Application online using MY NCTRC LOGIN.
- Register for an exam appointment and pass the NCTRC Exam.
Go to NCTRC.org to learn more about the profession of Therapeutic Recreation.
Listed as one of the top 10 most growing fields in healthcare today (World News, 2021).