NCTRC Certification Standards Change

The NCTRC Board of Directors continually monitors data related to recreational therapy practice, healthcare trends, the applicants academic preparation and professional experience, and modifies the NCTRC Certification Standards accordingly. In doing so, the Board ensures the NCTRC Certification Standards remain relevant with current professional practice and in compliance with the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting organization of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). As a result of the Board's efforts, there are several changes related to the NCTRC Certification Standards and Interpretive Guidelines. Some of the changes will take effect immediately and others will go into effect January 1, 2022.

Standards and Interpretive Guidelines Changes

The following standards change to the NCTRC Certification Standards has been approved by the Board of Directors for entry level professional eligibility:

 

Content Course Change - Increase in Therapeutic Recreation Content Course Requirements

Effective January 1, 2022; all applications submitted on or after January 1, 2022 will be required to meet the new standard. The standard pertaining to the required number of therapeutic recreation content courses will read as follows:

Academic Path

"A minimum of 18 semester or 24 quarter credit hours of RT/TR content coursework. A minimum of six (6) courses in RT/TR is required and each course must be a minimum of three (3) credit hours. Two (2) of the required RT/TR courses may be taught by the applicant as a full-time educator.

Content specific RT/TR coursework is recommended as part of the NCTRC professional eligibility requirements. Specific course content in the following areas: a) Assessment; b) TR Process; and c) Advancement of the Profession is highly recommended but not required for eligibility."

 

Equivalency Path A & B

"A minimum of 18 semester or 24 quarter credit hours of RT/TR content coursework. A minimum of six (6) courses in RT/TR is required and each course must be a minimum of three (3) credit hours. Two (2) of the required RT/TR courses may be taught by the applicant as a full-time educator.

Content specific RT/TR coursework is recommended as part of the NCTRC professional eligibility requirements. Specific course content in the following areas: a) Assessment; b) TR Process; and c) Advancement of the Profession is highly recommended but not required for eligibility."

The following interpretive guidelines change to the NCTRC Certification Standards has been approved by the Board of Directors for entry level professional eligibility:

 

Equivalency Path B Work Experience Requirements - Modification in CTRS supervision requirements

Effective Immediately; the interpretive guideline pertaining to Equivalency Path B Work Requirements will read as follows:

Work Experience Requirements for Equivalency Path B

The supervisor must hold an active CTRS credential throughout the period of supervision and the supervisor may be either: Employed on-site with direct supervisory responsibility for the applicant (direct supervisory responsibilities refer to having primary responsibility for the applicants performance evaluation, clinical and/or managerial supervision); or a preceptor or consultant to the agency and applicant. The preceptor/consultant must provide on-site supervision of the applicant for a minimum of one hour for every 10 hours of the applicants employment for a minimum of 150 hours within the calendar year of supervision. Supervision must include direct observation of practice as well as supervisory meetings. While onsite or direct supervision is strongly encouraged, NCTRC recognizes there may be applicants who are unable to receive onsite supervision with a CTRS. With current technology, there may be alternative effective models of supervision.

 

Academic Major Interpretive Guidelines - Addition of Acceptable Academic Major

Effective Immediately; the interpretive guideline pertaining to Academic Major will read as follows:

Academic Major: NCTRC will only accept a degree and major as officially written on the academic transcript. Only the following officially designated majors appearing on the transcript will be accepted for academic path applications: (a) therapeutic recreation (recreation therapy); (b) recreation or leisure with an option in therapeutic recreation; (c) therapeutic recreation, recreation, or leisure in combination with other fields of study (e.g., Therapeutic Recreation and Health Studies; Recreation and Sport Management; Leisure and Tourism); and (d) a major in another field of study with a concentration/emphasis/sub-plan/option in recreation therapy/therapeutic recreation.

Some additional reminders and news:

Internship Reminder

NCTRC would like to remind you that the internship experience must be a minimum of 14 consecutive weeks and a minimum of 560 hours. Vacations or any extended time off during the 14 week internship experience cannot be taken unless it is for an emergency or medical situation.

 

NCTRC Student Internship Guide

NCTRC provides a free student internship guide. Please contact NCTRC to receive printed copies of the Student Internship Guide.

 

NCTRC Letter for TR Graduates

Please assist NCTRC by distributing this congratulatory letter to all May graduates.

 

NCTRC Internship Letter and Checklist

NCTRC has developed a one page checklist to assist students preparing for summer internships. Please help NCTRC prevent potential problems with upcoming summer internships by sending the attached letter to each of your student interns.