Therapeutic Recreation Certification: Standards and Eligibility Dr. Nila M. Ipson, CPRP School of Health & Human Performance Dalhousie University

Overview Why Certification? The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification – NCTRC Purpose of NCTRC Certification Academic Path Requirements Equivalency Path Requirements Field Placement Standards Examination Information

Why Certification? To ensure that those entering the profession possess the knowledge and competencies needed to practice To restrict entry into the profession To encourage current professionals to remain current in the knowledge base required to practice.

What Do I Gain? You help advance the recognition of the profession. You earn the right to use the acronym CTRS that assures recognition of your professional knowledge & competence. You can expect your employability to improve.

The National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification - NCTRC NCTRC – was established in 1981 in the USA The nationally recognized organization for the certification of Therapeutic Recreation personnel. Accredited in 1993 by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The NCTRC exists to protect the consumer of therapeutic recreation services by promoting quality services delivered by qualified personnel.

Purpose of the NCTRC The purpose of the National Council for TR Certification is to insure that personnel have their educational and experiential qualifications evaluated through a formal review process. An individual must meet the eligibility requirements and then pass the national exam to become certified.

Eligibility Requirements Must meet all professional eligibility standards plus the Prerequisite exam requirements through either  The Academic Path Requirements or the  The Equivalency Path Requirements

Academic Path Requirements A Bachelor degree or higher with a major in Therapeutic Recreation; or a major in Recreation with option in TR from an recognized college or university  A minimum or 18 semester units of upper division or graduate level TR and general recreation content courses, of which 12 of the 18 semester units must have TR content (each course must be a minimum of 3 credit units)

Academic Path Requirements (cont.)  TR Courses Content Areas: (Courses must have either a “Leis.” or “Rec.” prefix)  History & Philosophy of TR  Administration / Supervision/ Operation in TR  Principles/Processes/Techniques/Methods/Procedures  Assessment/Programming/Evaluation in TR  Issues/Problems/Trends in TR  Disability Areas  Samples of Course Titles not accepted as TR Courses  Adapted P.E. / Recreation  Music Therapy  Rhythmic Activities for Special Populations, etc.

Academic Path Requirements (cont.) A minimum of 18 semester units from supportive courses – a minimum of: 3 semester units (credits) in each of the following areas: Anatomy & Physiology Abnormal Psychology Human Growth & Development The remaining 9 semester units in the content areas of “human services” as defined by NCTRC

Academic Path Requirements (cont.) The completion of a minimum of 480 hours over a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive weeks of filed placement experience in therapeutic recreation services under the direct guidance of a certified CTRS on-site field supervisor. The field placement experience can only be carried out after the required course work is completed, as verified by an official transcript.

Equivalency Path Requirements Equivalency refers to an alternate route to certification based upon specific academic preparation and full time, paid work experience There are two equivalency paths to professional eligibility: Equivalency Path A Equivalency Path B

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path A: A Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accepted college or university verified by an official transcript, plus A minimum of 18 semester units (credits) of upper division or graduate therapeutic recreation and general recreation courses with a minimum of 9 credits in upper level or graduate courses. (each course must be a minimum of 3 credits)

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path A: A minimum of 24 semester credits from 3 of the following six academic areas of study: Adaptive Physical Education Related Biological / Physical Sciences Human Services Psychology Scoiology, or Special Education

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path A: A minimum of five (5) years of full-time, paid experience in therapeutic recreation that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study. Full-time work experience is defined as between hours per week, and the job title and duties must be full-time in therapeutic recreation.

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path B: A candidate for certification must have earned a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited college or university verified by an official transcript. A minimum of 18 semester credit hours of upper division of therapeutic recreation or general recreation content courses, with a minimum of 9 credits in upper level or graduate level TR courses

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path B: A total of 18 semester credit hours of supportive course work, with a minimum of 3 credits in each of the three areas of: Abnormal Psychology Anatomy and Physiology Human Growth & Development The remaining 9 credit hours to be fulfilled in the content area of “human services”

Equivalency Path Requirements - Path B: A minimum of one (1) year full-time, paid work experience in therapeutic recreation services that uses the TR process, and is carried out under the direct supervision of a certified CTRS The work experience must have occurred in the 5 years before application One full-year experience is defined as a minimum of 1500 hours worked – calculated at a minimum of 32 hours a week for 46 weeks. (excludes scheduled leave time or vacation time, etc.) A field placement cannot be substituted for the one-year full-time work experience for the Path B Equivalency.

The Field Placement Should be done after all course work is completed. Must be supervised by a certified CTRS Requires extensive, full-time involvement at one agency over a consecutive period of time The placement must provide experience in such areas as: service planning, assessment for TR intervention, evaluation, documentation, working with treatment teams, organizing and managing services, out reach / advocacy work, public relations and professional development

The Certification Examination The Examination is offered three (3) times a year - October, January & May The exam will be available for a five (5) day testing window during the above mentioned months The Exam is administered at Prometric Testing Centers in the U.S. or through special arrangements in Canada The exam is administered electronically Special arrangements can be made for those with physical or cognitive impairments or limitations.

The Certification Examination The Exam consists of 180 questions for which you have 3 hours to complete. For further information assess the NCTRC website at

Certified Park and Recreation Professional - CPRP The U.S. National Recreation and Park Association also offer a certification examination for park and recreation professionals. The eligibility requirements and examination procedures are almost the same of the CTRS certification program.

Questions ? Thank You!