1. Presented by: Susan Kaufer, CTRS Credentialing Specialist II, NCTRC
NCTRC Overview
Presented by:
Susan Kaufer, CTRS
Credentialing Specialist II, NCTRC

2. Learning Objectives
1. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe the certification standards for Professional Eligibility.
2. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe the NCTRC standards for Recertification and the Areas of Specialization.
3. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe how the results of the NCTRC Job Analysis Study relate to the standards.

3. A Moment of Self Reflection…
What does NCTRC do?

4. NCTRC
Established in 1981
Service oriented organization dedicated to protect the public and improve RT practice
Guided by talented and devoted professionals who had a clear vision
Accredited in 1993 by National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
16,000+ individuals on NCTRC CTRS Registry
Recognized as cornerstone of the RT profession

5. Organizations within the Profession
Credentialing –certification, protect the public
Accreditation (CARTE/COAPRT)-academic program
Professional Associations (ATRA, CTRA)- profession

6. Board Of Directors
Executive Committee Melissa Zahl, CTRS/L ( ) Chair
Andrea Waters, CTRS ( ) Vice Chair
Suzanne Prosser, CTRS ( ) Treasurer
Donna Gregory, CTRS ( ) Employer Rep, Secretary
Missy Armstrong, CTRS/R ( )
Colleen Cooke, CTRS ( )
Melissa Davis, LRT/CTRS ( )
Jerome Singleton, CTRS ( )

7. NCTRC’s Mission
“To protect the consumer of Therapeutic Recreation Services by promoting the provision of quality services offered by NCTRC certificants”

8. NCTRC Certification Provides for Protection of the Public
Recognized standards ensure qualified practitioners (CTRS is recognized as the benchmark of safety)
Provide on-line verification services of all active CTRSs
NCTRC has an effective peer disciplinary process
NCTRC serves as national clearing house for all disciplinary cases
NCTRC is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

9. How Do Certification Standards Change?
NCTRC Board of Directors - Decision Makers
NCTRC Staff Support Professionals in Meeting Certification Standards
Data Driven
Applications
Job Analysis
Exam Pass Rates
Communication to the Field
New Standard is More Stringent – 2 years unless impacts university curricula, then it’s announced 4 years prior
New Standard is More Easily Met – Immediate

10. Standards Changes
NCTRC no longer requires use of the Internship Verification Forms
2017 – Removed FT language for Internship Site Supervisor, but must work at agency 30 hr./wk. or more
2018 – 6 TR courses required starting 1/1/22
2018 – changes to interpretive guidelines regarding supervision for work experience for Equivalency Path B, and addition of acceptable academic major with emphasis/option/concentration/sub-plan in RT/TR

11. Accomplishments Board Ambassador Program
Innovations with Ed Begley, Jr. show
Translation of NCTRC Standards (French and Spanish)
Development of the International TR Coalition
Release of New Marketing Materials
It’s Time to Set Yourself Apart
Employ Excellence, Employ a CTRS
30 and 35 Year Recognition Pins
Recertify and Reinvest in Yourself
Enhanced Online Experience
Growth of NCTRC registry by over 700 over the past year

12. NCTRC Role & Activities
Protect the public through credentialing activities
Research in the profession (Profile and JA studies)
Support International Growth
Support legal recognition of the credential (JTF)
Participate in conversations about issues impacting the profession

13. So much more than just a certificate!
NCTRC
So much more than just a certificate!

14. Professional Eligibility
To become a CTRS, you must first be awarded professional eligibility and pass the NCTRC Exam
Awarded to those individuals who meet the Certification Standards
Awarded for a five-year period
A fee is required annually to maintain professional eligibility

15. Professional Eligibility
Academic Path
Academic Path Prior to Degree
Equivalency Path A
Equivalency Path B

16. Academic Path
Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university
A major in TR or a major in recreation with an option in TR/RT
TR/General Recreation Content Coursework
Support Coursework
Internship

17. Equivalency Path A
18 sem./24 qtr. hrs. of TR/General Recreation content coursework with a minimum of 15 sem./20 qtr. hrs. in TR/RT content Each course must be a minimum of 3 hrs.
2 of the TR courses may be taught by applicant as FT educator
24 sem./32 qtr. hrs. of support courses in the content areas of Social Sciences and Humanities
Minimum 5 yrs. of FT, paid experience in TR services that uses the TR process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study yrs of FT, paid experience in TR services that uses the TR process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study IF you possess a grad degree or higher in TR

18. Equivalency Path B
18 sem./24 qtr. hrs. of TR/General Recreation content coursework with a minimum of 15 sem./20 qtr. hrs. in TR/RT content Each course must be a minimum of 3 hrs.
2 of the TR courses may be taught by applicant as FT educator
18 sem./24 qtr. hrs. of support coursework including:
3 hrs. in Anatomy and Physiology
3 hrs. in Abnormal Psychology
3 hrs. in Lifespan Development
The remaining hours must be in Social Sciences and Humanities
Minimum 1 yr. FT, paid experience in TR services that uses the TR process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study; under the supervision of a CTRS

19. Job Analysis
“…delineates the important tasks and knowledge deemed necessary for competent practice.” (ICE)
Job Tasks
practical experience
Knowledge Areas
conceptual knowledge

20. 2014 Job Task Areas Professional Relationships and Responsibilities
Assessment
Plan Interventions and/or Programs
Implement Interventions and/or Programs
Evaluate Outcomes of the Interventions and/or Programs
Document Intervention Services
Treatment Teams and/or Service Providers
Develop and Maintain Programs
Manage TR/RT Services
Awareness and Advocacy

21. Internship, Work Experience & Job Analysis
An acceptable experience must be based on the TR process as defined by the knowledge and skills of the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study
The applicant should demonstrate exposure to ALL of the Job Task Areas of the NCTRC Job Analysis Study
The applicant should demonstrate exposure to opportunities to develop skills for competency in the TR process

22. 2014 Knowledge Areas Foundational Knowledge (FKW)
Assessment Process (ASP)
Documentation (DOC)
Implementation (IMP)
Administration of TR/RT Service (ADM)
Advancement of the Profession (ADV)

23. 2014 Knowledge Areas
If you plan to use education and work experience for recertification, please keep in mind that the content of the continuing education must relate to the knowledge areas in the Job Analysis.

24. Maintaining Certification
Annual Renewal
Annual Maintenance Application
Recertification
Application at the end of 5 years
Review of Recertification Options

25. Recertification Process
Option 1:
Continuing Education and
Professional Experience
(consider area of specialization designation)
Option 2:
Re-examination

26. Recertification
The CTRS Recertification Program helps you to maintain continuing professional competence in therapeutic recreation.
It is the CTRS’s responsibility to collect and maintain all recertification materials over your five-year cycle of recertification.

27. Areas of Specialization
Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation
Community Inclusion Services
Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Geriatrics
Pediatrics
Developmental Disabilities
Behavioral Health

28. Re-examination
Submit Exam Registration Form, Recertification Application & Fee for the exam prior to Recertification Due Date

29. NCTRC and the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Invest in Yourself
Get involved in your profession
Be driven to continuous learning and improvement of your skills
Use NCTRC as a resource, we are here for you
Be PROUD of and MAINTAIN your credential!

30. Thank you! NCTRC 16 Squadron Blvd., Suite 101 New City, NY 10956
nctrc.org