FAQs

FAQs

New Applicants


May I complete on-line Therapeutic Recreation coursework or enroll in a Therapeutic Recreation certificate program?

Yes, you may qualify to sit for the NCTRC exam by completing on-line coursework. Certificate programs are an acceptable option for completion of required coursework as well. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted at the time of application in order for coursework to be reviewed.

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Can NCTRC review my coursework before I apply for Professional Eligibility?

Yes, the Pre-Application Coursework Review process may be used to determine whether or not you meet current certification coursework requirements before submitting a formal application. To access the application, click on MY NCTRC LOGIN, click on "New Customer" and create a profile. After you click Submit, you will be at your Dashboard Profile. Select Pre-Application Coursework Review (OPTIONAL PROCESS) under the 'Application' section. You will receive an email notification identifying completion of the review process. You may then access the coursework review results by logging into your dashboard profile page and clicking on the application details.

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May courses completed from programs such as Massage Therapy (certificate programs), be utilized toward required support coursework?

All coursework must be assigned college credit from an accredited College or University and must appear on an official College or University transcript. The Pre-Application Coursework Review process may be used to determine whether previously completed coursework will qualify.

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For professional work experience may I submit the employment verification form with my application in order to expedite the process?

The completed and signed Employment Verification Form may be uploaded to the Professional Eligibility online application under the 'Paid Work Experience' section with the signature of the human resource designee.

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What is the cost to take the NCTRC Exam as a new applicant?

The exam registration process may be completed once your Professional Eligibility application review is complete and you have been granted Exam Qualified status (you will receive an email regarding your status). The exam fee is $325.

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How long will it take to find out if I am approved to take the NCTRC exam?

You will receive notification by email of your application review decision approximately 4-6 weeks after your application is received by NCTRC.

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Do I need to send transcripts from every college I attended, even if the credits were transferred into the college I graduated from?

Yes, transcripts from all colleges/universities must be included. The only guarantee that all your coursework will be reviewed is to make sure every transcript is submitted with your application.

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How should the official transcripts be sent to NCTRC?

Transcripts must arrive within 2 weeks of application submission. Each transcript must include registrar signature and seal to be considered official. Transcripts may be delivered electronically directly from the university registrar to nctrc@nctrc.org or the official hard copy may be mailed to the NCTRC mailing address. Transcripts from all colleges/universities must be submitted for coursework and/or degree review.

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How does one become certified as a CTRS?

To be awarded the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential, the candidate must meet the eligibility requirements and pass a knowledge-based exam. When the 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. Candidates are eligible to register for the NCTRC certification exam if they are in compliance with NCTRC’s Certification Standards and they have been found by NCTRC to meet all professional eligibility requirements through either the academic or equivalency path.

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How do I complete the Professional Eligibility Application?

Please create a username and password via the MY NCTRC LOGIN link on the NCTRC website home page. Once your profile is created you may access the Professional Eligibility Application under the 'Applications' portion of the dashboard profile. The application review fee is $125. The review fee is non-refundable.

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Will I be notified if there is information that is missing from my application?

You will receive notification via email regarding your application status. You will be placed in 'Need More Information' status allowing the opportunity to add information to your application. Please be sure to review the Application Comments section of your application to determine information requested.

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I have passed the exam and have now completed my internship and degree. What is the next step?

If you applied under the Academic Path prior to completing your internship and/or degree, you must return to your Professional Eligibility Application and enter your internship and degree information. NCTRC will require an official final transcript from the registrar with internship credit and degree posted.

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How should completed coursework be documented?

Per NCTRC Certification Standards, all coursework must be assigned college credit from an accredited College or University and must appear on an official College or University transcript. Coursework completed outside of an accredited college or university must be transferred to credit posted on an official transcript from an accredited academic institution. Please refer to the NCTRC Certification Standards to review the coursework requirements in order to meet NCTRC eligibility and certification requirements. Questions? Contact NCTRC Credentialing Specialists: email nctrc@nctrc.org, or call 845-639-1439.

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Internship


Can I apply while awaiting degree confirmation or with my internship in progress?

Yes, you may apply for professional eligibility review after completion of the following conditions:

  1. Enrollment in a degree program pertaining to Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy as defined by the current NCTRC standards.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 90 credit hours toward degree attainment.
  3. Completion of all required coursework other than the internship requirement, as defined by the current NCTRC standards.
  4. Submission of an official academic transcript denoting the completion of the above requirements.
Applicants completing the Academic Path application process will be awarded NCTRC certification and the CTRS certificate upon demonstration of the following:
  1. Successful completion of the NCTRC exam.
  2. Completion of an internship experience in accordance with NCTRC Standards.
  3. Academic degree attainment as documented by an official academic transcript.

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For the academic path, what requirements do I need to complete for an acceptable internship?

You will need to complete a minimum 560-hour, fourteen (14) week internship in therapeutic recreation services that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis and under the supervision of both academic and agency internship supervisors who are NCTRC CTRS certified. The CTRS Supervisor must be certified for a minimum of one year prior to supervising an internship student. Please review and verify 'Initial Certification Date' and 'Annual Expiration Date' of prospective agency supervisor prior to start of internship.

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Under certain situations can a student complete the internship before or after the date they are enrolled in the internship course?

The internship experience must be completed over the same dates as the semester or quarter in which the student receives academic credit for the experience. If the dates on the transcript do not coincide with the dates of the internship, NCTRC would require a letter from the department head stating the reason for this.

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When did the changes to Internship Standards go into effect?

The revised internship standards and interpretive guidelines went into effect on July 1, 2021.

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Does the Internship course have to have Therapeutic Recreation in the title?

No, the Internship course does not have to have Therapeutic Recreation in the title.

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How will my internship be reviewed if it continues past the academic semester?

The internship experience must be completed over the same dates as the semester or quarter in which the student receives academic credit for the experience. If the dates on the transcript do not coincide with the dates of the internship, NCTRC would require a letter from the department head stating the reason for this.

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Does NCTRC have information or resources to assist those beginning to supervise interns?

Please visit the NCTRC website, under Publications and Forms to access Agency Supervisor Internship Packet. This will provide helpful information related to internship.

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What is the amount of time a CTRS needs to be employed at an agency to start supervising interns?

The primary agency must possess active certification status at the CTRS® level on the first day of the applicant’s internship and have been certified for at least one year prior to supervising interns. NCTRC does not review length of time employed at an agency.  

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Can the internship be completed at more than one site?

The total hours of the internship may be split among different agencies or accumulated over multiple sites. You must still meet the requirement of a minimum of 14 weeks and 560 hours.

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What type of setting is acceptable for an internship placement?

An internship must take place at an agency that uses the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis Study under the supervision of both academic and agency internship supervisors who are NCTRC CTRS certified.

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Is it acceptable for there to be one CTRS supervisor at an agency and have a staff member who is not CTRS certified assist with supervision?

NCTRC requires identification of an agency CTRS supervisor and academic CTRS supervisor. Decisions related to the format of the internship experience, including secondary supervision would not be under the purview of NCTRC.

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Once CTRS status has been re-established after certification had expired, do I need to wait one year as CTRS before supervising an intern?

No, if you were once certified for a minimum of a year, once you receive notification that you are certified, you would not need to wait a year before supervising an intern.

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Are the requirements for internship of graduate student earning a Master’s degree different than an undergraduate student?

Internship requirements for a graduate student would be established by the academic program. The academic CTRS supervisor would be best in providing clarification to this question.

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If an intern has completed their internship at more than one facility, what CTRS supervisor’s names do I need to provide?

The intern will need to provide the name of the Academic Internship supervisor, who must be an active  CTRS® at the start of the internship experience. For each site, please add the name of the Agency CTRS supervisor, who must possess active certification status at the CTRS® level on the first day of the applicant’s internship and have been certified for at least one year prior to supervising interns.

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If the internship is completed at multiple sites, how does NCTRC confirm the hours and weeks at the different sites?

Please consider using multiple copies of the time log within the Student Internship Guide to keep track of internship hours.

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Do I need to complete both 14 weeks and 560 hours for the internship experience?

Yes, the requirements for an internship experience are a minimum of 560-hours and a minimum of 14-weeks.

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Does the agency CTRS supervisor need to be considered full time at the agency?

Based on the Certification Standards, July 2021, the primary agency CTRS supervisor does not have to be considered full time at the agency.

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What is the process for acquiring continuing education hours for internship supervision?

Please complete the Internship Supervision for Continuing Education form after supervising an intern for NCTRC Professional Eligibility. Please submit the form at the time of recertification if requested to do so during the audit process.

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Is there a requirement pertaining to the minimum hours per week an intern can complete?

The number of hours completed per week is determined by both the agency CTRS and academic CTRS supervisors. NCTRC requires the internship experience to be a minimum of 560-hours and 14 weeks.

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During my internship, does my agency supervisor have to be with me when I have direct contact with patients?

The internship experience is determined by the collaborative efforts of both the agency CTRS and academic CTRS supervisors. This does not come under the purview of NCTRC.

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Since an agency supervisor is not required to be full time at the agency, can a preceptor be used?

The format and structure of the internship is up to the agency CTRS supervisor, academic CTRS supervisor and the student, and is not the purview of NCTRC. The Academic Internship Supervisor must be an active CTRS at the start of the internship experience and must be employed at the college/university. The CTRS cannot serve in the capacity of both the academic supervisor and agency supervisor during a given internship experience.

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Where can I find the Internship Certification Standards?

The Internship Certification Standards may be found on page 10 of the Certification Standards.

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Exam


If I take and pass the NCTRC exam and become certified, may I begin to earn continuing education credit toward Recertification?

Yes. You may begin to earn continuing education hours for your 5 year certification cycle once you have successfully completed the exam for certification and become certified. Please note that it is important to be sure that you have submitted all required documents if your application path was prior to degree being awarded. You will not be granted CTRS status until all required documents are received and reviewed.

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How can I prepare to take the NCTRC exam?

Go to Exam Preparation Tools for exam content resources and study aids on computer based testing. Review the NCTRC Standards information on the Exam, including the Exam Content Outline. The list of exam references is helpful for further information.

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What is the NCTRC exam fee and where can I find the application?

The current fee is $325.00. You may access the Exam Registration Form by logging into your dashboard profile page via MY NCTRC LOGIN and selecting the appropriate Exam link.

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When can I register to take the exam for Recertification?

You may register to take the last exam prior to your Recertification due date. If you do not pass the exam, your certification will become inactive. You will have a two year time period in which to take and pass the exam through the Reentry program.

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When do I need to apply to take the NCTRC exam?

There are deadlines for filing applications before each exam. Please check the scheduled exam windows for more information. Please note that the Professional Eligibility Submission window is the allotted time frame for application submission and review of your application. Once you are notified that you have gained Exam Qualified status you will be emailed instructions related to the exam registration process.

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When do I receive my exam score?

You will receive an unofficial pass or fail score notification on the screen after the completion of the exam. Official score reports will be emailed from PSI.

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How do I select the test site for the exam?

After submitting the exam registration fee, click “Schedule My Exam” on the MY NCTRC LOGIN dashboard to schedule an appointment at a PSI test center.

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What are the specific dates the NCTRC exam is given on?

Typically, the NCTRC exam is offered six times throughout the year utilizing a month long testing window for each exam administration. Please visit Exam at the NCTRC Website for more information.

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How do I apply to take the NCTRC exam?

In order to register to take the NCTRC exam you must first be granted professional eligibility status, having met the NCTRC Certification Standards. You may also complete the exam for Recertification (only the exam that is scheduled prior to your expiration date) or for Reentry (within two years of Recertification expiration date).

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Can I take the exam prior to earning my degree?

If all required coursework is complete (as recorded on official transcript) and you are awaiting completion of internship and/or award of degree you may apply selecting Academic Path. Internship information and final transcript will be requested once the exam has been completed. Applicants choosing the Equivalency Path must have ALL coursework requirements and degree complete upon submission of application.

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I need testing accommodations when taking the NCTRC Exam. How do I request that?

To request testing accommodations, please visit NCTRC Testing Accommodations Guidelines and complete the application. Then you will need to Request Accommodations in the appropriate exam application and upload the completed document for review.

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When I receive Professional Eligibility, do I have to take the exam during the exam window I was reviewed for?

Professional Eligibility is a 5 year cycle which means you have 5 years to take and pass the NCTRC exam. When you receive Professional Eligibility, but want to take the exam during a future test window, do not sign up and pay for the upcoming exam. You may check nctrc.org for upcoming Exam Registration Deadlines and Exam Windows. If you schedule an appointment for an exam, but decide to cancel more than 5 days prior to the scheduled appointment date you will be required to pay a $25 rescheduling fee.

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Once my exam has been released for me to begin, am I allowed to speak to anyone?

Conversation or communication with others will not be permitted once your exam has been released.

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May I copy exam questions for review after the exam is complete?

You are prohibited from reproducing, communicating or transmitting any test content in any form for any purpose. Copying or communicating content is a violation of PSI security policy. Either one may result in the disqualification of examination results, may lead to legal action and will be reported to NCTRC.

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Will I be allowed to bring my cell phone into the PSI Testing Center?

With the exception of your testing machine, electronic devices and recording devices of any kind (including but not limited to cell phones, pagers, and cameras) are NOT permitted in secure PSI testing centers.

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What items may I bring into the PSI Testing Center?

NO personal items should be brought to the testing centers. PSI will not be responsible for any personal items and suggests that you leave such items in another safe place of your choosing. Only non-programmable calculators that are silent, battery operated, do not have paper tape printing capabilities, and do not have an alphabet keyboard will be allowed in the examination site.

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What are the conduct expectations for both PSI Test Center employees and exam candidates?

PSI requires all employees and exam takers to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Exhibiting abusive behavior towards a proctor via chat or other candidates will be reported to your NCTRC and may result in criminal prosecution.

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What time do I need to arrive at the PSI Testing Center?

You must arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam appointment in order to be admitted to the test site.

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Will the person who is accompanying me to the exam site be able to wait in the PSI Testing Center?

Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the testing center or surrounding common areas.

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May I use my cell phone while completing the exam?

You may not exit the building or use your cell phone or other electronic devices during the examination.

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Live Remote Proctoring


What requirements are needed to be able to complete the exam with Live Remote Proctoring?

The computer that you use will need to include a web camera, speakers, microphone and stable broadband internet connection. Please go through the compatibility on https://home.psiexams.com/static/#/bcheck

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Will I be able to speak with the Live Remote Proctor if I have any questions before the exam is released or if I have a question while I am completing the exam?

You may connect with a Live Remote Proctor for testing up to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time provided your exam is ready to launch. Your launch button will be enabled when your exam is fully prepared for delivery. If you need assistance during your exam, you may initiate a chat with the online test administrator using the chat tool.

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Once my exam has started, am I allowed to speak with anyone besides for the Live Remote Proctor?

No one else is permitted in the room with you while you are testing and communication is prohibited. Talking or mouthing words while testing is also prohibited. Professional and courteous manners are required at all times. Exhibiting abusive behavior towards a proctor via chat or other candidates will be reported to NCTRC and may result in criminal prosecution.

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May I print a copy of the exam?

You are prohibited from reproducing, communicating or transmitting any test content in any form for any purpose. Copying or communicating content is a violation of PSI security policy. Either one may result in the disqualification of examination results, may lead to legal action and will be reported to NCTRC.

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May I have my phone with me while I am taking the exam?

With the exception of your testing machine, electronic devices and recording devices of any kind (including but not limited to cell phones, pagers, and cameras) are NOT permitted in secure PSI testing environments.

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What items may I have in the room while I am taking the exam?

You will be asked to scan the room from which you are testing in prior to launching your exam. If there are notes, drinks, a box of tissues or any such items on your desk, you will be asked to remove them prior to releasing the exam.

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Will identification be required in order to initiate my scheduled exam?

You must present a valid, unexpired and acceptable ID(s) in order to take your test. Check with NCTRC for the specific rules that apply to your test. Military IDs are not accepted.

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May I stand and move around the room during the exam?

You may not exit the camera view or use your cell phone or other electronic devices during the examination. Your hands must be visible to the camera at all times.

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May I take breaks during the exam?

During Live Remote Proctoring, breaks are not permitted.

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CTRS Certificate


I have submitted my online Annual Maintenance Application. Why haven’t I received my updated credentials in the mail?

Your updated certificate is immediately available for printing upon completing the renewal process on your Dashboard Profile page. Please visit MY NCTRC LOGIN and on the Dashboard Profile, please select CTRS Certificate. The CTRS Certificate will not be mailed unless requested via email to nctrc@nctrc.org.

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How may I obtain a printed copy of my CTRS Certificate?

Certificants are welcome to print a copy of their CTRS® certificate by logging into the MY NCTRC LOGIN portal. Please visit MY NCTRC LOGIN and on the Dashboard Profile, please select CTRS Certificate. If Certificants are unable to use to the MY NCTRC LOGIN portal to print their certificate, they may email the NCTRC office and request a printed copy be mailed to them. The CTRS Certificate will not be mailed unless requested via email to nctrc@nctrc.org.

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I received an email from The Award Group about claiming my CTRS Certificate. How do I receive it?

As of October 1, 2022, NCTRC has discontinued services with the Award Group.  If you have received a link from the Award Group to claim your new or updated CTRS certificate, this link will no longer be valid. To print an immediate copy of your certificate, please visit MY NCTRC LOGIN and on your Dashboard Profile page, please select the CTRS Certificate link.

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CTRS Annual Maintenance


What can I do if I believe my annual maintenance payment has not been received and/or processed?

If you have not received confirmation that your payment has been processed within a reasonable period of time, please contact NCTRC. Please confirm that you have completed the online application process including "checkout". You may wish to confirm with your bank or credit card to be sure the payment has posted. It is important to contact NCTRC promptly so that we may insure that your renewal will be updated in a timely manner.

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What if I cannot locate the individual I am searching for on the Verification Page of the NCTRC website?

Please be sure to use either a last name OR certification ID number in your verification portal search (not both). Confirm the spelling and/or numbers entered in your search and click Submit. NCTRC requires certificants to regularly update changes in their name and address, but occasionally, such changes are not reported to NCTRC. If name change has not been reported, the CTRS may not be found within the verification portal. Contact the NCTRC office, as our staff may have additional resources to identify a certificant. Additionally, our staff may request your assistance if we believe the individual you are searching may be using the “CTRS” or “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist” designations in violation of NCTRC’s trademark rights. You should not assume that the individual is violating NCTRC’s trademarks or that the individual’s certification has been suspended, revoked, or sanctioned. NCTRC does not include information related to current or past disciplinary sanctioning on the verification page.

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If I don’t receive notification from NCTRC, am I still required to complete the CTRS annual maintenance process by my annual expiration date?

Yes, you are required to complete the annual maintenance renewal process each year of your five year certification cycle in order to keep your certification active. NCTRC will no longer be mailing application forms. You will receive an emailed annual maintenance reminder beginning at least eight weeks prior to your expiration date. For this reason it is of utmost importance to provide an updated or preferred email address to NCTRC.

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What is the difference between Annual Expiration Date and Recertification Due Date?

The Annual Expiration Date is the date by which a CTRS must submit the annual maintenance application and fee. This renewal process must be completed each year within the five-year CTRS Certification cycle. An active CTRS is eligible to:
• Use the designation “CTRS” and “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist”
• Serve as a supervisor for a proposed internship requiring an active CTRS
The Recertification Due Date is the date by which a CTRS must submit the recertification application and fee. This renewal process must be completed every five years and in accordance to the NCTRC Recertification standards.

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What if I need a written verification?

If a written verification is required, please email the following information to NCTRC: Person you wish to verify by first and last name, the certification number, name of the individual requesting the verification, position of the individual requesting the verification, name of the agency, mailing address of the agency (street, city, state, zip code), telephone number with area code of the individual requesting the verification, whether or not you would like an email or fax verification, and reason for the verification. Please email this information directly to NCTRC at nctrc@nctrc.org.

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What is the current annual maintenance renewal fee?

The current annual maintenance renewal fee is $80.

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What should I do if my annual maintenance application is now past due?

If your annual maintenance application is past due, you may follow the instructions to complete the Annual Maintenance Application. You may wish to contact the NCTRC office if you have questions regarding annual expiration date and recertification due date, including fees that are due.

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How do I complete the online Annual Maintenance Application and submit my renewal payment?

Please visit the NCTRC website, select MY NCTRC LOGIN and enter Username and Password. Begin the process by updating your Profile information. Please be sure that NCTRC has your current, preferred email address. Then proceed to the Annual Maintenance Renewal under 'Applications'. Complete the Eligibility Questions and proceed to checkout to pay the renewal fee. The Annual Maintenance Renewal link will become available about 6 months prior to your annual expiration date. Once you have completed the renewal process, the updated CTRS Certificate will be available.

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Recertification / Reentry


How can I regain my certification if I am not working for a few years and my certification expires?

NCTRC's Reentry Program is designed for individuals whose certification recently expired. Individuals may register to take the NCTRC CTRS certification examination, without needing to meet the current educational and experiential requirements for initial certification. Reentry certification eligibility is for candidates who were CTRS certified within two years prior to their application for reentry; and who apply for reentry eligibility to take a CTRS certification examination that is scheduled to be administered within the two years immediately following expiration of their CTRS certification.

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What option do I have if I do not have enough continuing education and work experience before the end of my five year certification cycle?

CTRSs can register and take the last scheduled exam prior to their recertification expiration date to meet recertification requirements.

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May I complete ALL of my continuing education hours through online, correspondence or teleconference methods?

Yes, NCTRC will accept continuing education that is provided in alternative methods as long as the education meets the Recertification Requirements as outlined in the NCTRC Standards.

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Which continuing education sessions will NOT be accepted toward recertification?

Certain continuing education will not be accepted toward NCTRC Recertification. This includes CPR, First Aid, Infectious Disease Control, Life Saving, and Activity or other Skill courses. Activity courses refers to a program which is primarily teaching you how to perform a certain activity (Examples include Gardening workshop, Adapted waterskiing, Arts & Crafts, and computer software classes). Such courses are not considered related to the Job Analysis Knowledge Areas and are not reflective of continued professional competence unique to therapeutic recreation. The final option for being assured that your continuing education credit will count toward NCTRC Recertification is to submit the application early. You may submit your Recertification application up to 12 months prior to the end of your five year cycle. If you submit even 6 months early, you will be notified if you have not met the requirements and you may then earn additional continuing education credit before your certification expires.

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How do I know if the continuing education that I have completed is going to be accepted by NCTRC?

NCTRC offers an approval process for pending or completed continuing education hours prior to the submission of a formal recertification application. NCTRC’s Continuing Education Approval Process allows certificants to submit continuing education prior to recertification to determine whether it meets current recertification requirements. This process will allow for early confirmation of continuing education to individuals who are not certain if previously completed education will count towards NCTRC Recertification requirements. This application may be found on your dashboard profile page under Application for the CTRS; Continuing Education Approval Process (OPTIONAL PROCESS) The standards require that a CTRS upload an official document (not a copy) documenting continuing education credit which indicates your name, attendance date (which must be within your 5 year cycle), title of the course or program and contact hours (it does not have to awarded in CEU credit). If the CTRS is unable to obtain such a document, then the sponsor or instructor of the program must provide a written statement including all the necessary information mentioned above, on agency letterhead. The title of the course or program, as listed on the official document, is critical to whether it can be utilized toward NCTRC Recertification. The title must relate to one of the Job Analysis Knowledge Area Items. In order to match the title with the Items, the title must be clear and reflective of the program. If it is not, you will need to obtain and submit the program brochure with descriptive information. You will need to review the Job Analysis Knowledge Areas in its entirety. You can access the Knowledge Areas on our website or by contacting our office. An example of matching the information would be if you attended a workshop titled “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and its symptoms.” This topic can be applied under The Job Analysis Knowledge Area, Foundational Knowledge (FKW), where Item #13 “Cognitive/developmental disorders and related impairments (e.g., dementia, …) shows a match.

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Do I need to work full-time in TR to meet the recertification requirements?

Full-time work experience in TR is not necessary to complete the recertification requirements. Along with the 50 hours of continuing education, a CTRS must have 480 hours of TR work experience to meet recertification requirements. There is not a specific hour requirement each year.

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I have received a reminder for the NCTRC exam. Does this mean I am required to take it?

NCTRC sends reminders as a courtesy. Please disregard the reminder if you do not plan to complete the exam for recertification.

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Does NCTRC track my continuing education hours?

NCTRC does not track continuing education hours, including CEU’s awarded at professional conferences or workshops. A certificate or transcript must be acquired and maintained by the certificant for future submission if selected for the audit process on the Recertification due date. Certificants may upload and save records of continuing education to the Recertification - Education and Experience application available on the dashboard profile at MY NCTRC LOGIN.

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How many continuing education hours are required for recertification?

NCTRC requires completion of 50 hours of continuing education completed within the five year certification cycle (continuing education does not have to be awarded in CEU credit). If a CEU credit is awarded as 0.1 (including decimal), this will count as one (1) clock hour toward 50 hours of continuing education required. Please add continuing education hours in clock or contact hours.

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When it is time for me to recertify, what do I need to submit?

The recertification application must be submitted by the recertification due date. NCTRC will notify certificants that are due for recertification via email approximately 60 days before the end of the five-year certification cycle (please be sure that NCTRC has an up-to-date email address). Please access your "My Dashboard Profile" at MY NCTRC LOGIN and select the Recertification - Education and Work Experience application under Applications for the CTRS. Recertification applications may be submitted no earlier than 12 months prior to the certification expiration date. Certificants may upload and save records of continuing education to their Recertification - Education and Work Experience application.

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Why have I been selected for the audit process?

Upon submission of the recertification application a random percentage of applications will be selected for audit. Certificants who are selected for audit will be directly notified by NCTRC via email. Certificants will have 15 days to submit or upload their continuing education materials for the audit process. Failure to submit the continuing education materials in a timely manner will result in a denial of recertification. If you are not selected for audit, you will not need to submit your continuing education documents.

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May I earn continuing education hours for supervision of a partial internship, or for an internship less than 14 weeks, 560 hours?

The Internship Supervision for Continuing Education hours will be awarded to the primary CTRS supervisor only when the minimum 14 week, 560 hour internship has been completed. Credit will not be awarded for internship supervision less than the required weeks and hours.  All fields of the required form must be completed and signed, and submitted only during the Recertification audit process.

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May I request an Extension for Recertification if a conference that I was planning to attend was cancelled?

Extension of the Recertification cycle will be reviewed and considered in the case where a serious health condition or extreme personal emergency has prevented an individual from completing all recertification requirements. In this case, official documentation will be required for review. If a conference or workshop has been cancelled, please contact NCTRC so that we may provide guidance related to online and alternative continuing education opportunities.

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If my certification expired over 2 years ago, what options are available to become CTRS certified if I do not meet the current Professional Eligibility requirements related to academic preparation?

Please visit the Certification Standards, Options To Regain Certification For Individuals Previously Certified Who Are Outside The Reentry Period to review the requirements.

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Specialization Area Designation


What is Specialization Area Designation?

It is a program that was designed to align with your recertification cycle denoting experience and focused continuing education to enhance recreational therapy practice. It is not a separate certification. There are seven Specialization Area Designations:  Adaptive Sports and Recreation; Behavioral Health; Community Inclusion Services; Developmental Disabilities; Geriatrics; Pediatrics; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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When can I apply for Specialization Area Designation?

You can apply for Specialization Area Designation at the time of recertification or up to 6 months after recertifying.  You may also apply for recertification up to a year in advance of your recertification due date and apply for Specialization Area Designation at that time.  All applicants will be audited at the time you submit your application for Specialization Areas/Recertification.

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How do I get the application?

In order to get an application please call the NCTRC office at 845-639-1439 and ask to speak with a Credentialing Specialist who will then email it to you.

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What are the fees for the initial submission of the application?

$25 application fee, in addition to the $25 CTRS recertification fee (total of $50) plus an additional $80 annual maintenance fee (total of $130) every 5 years.

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What are the renewal fees?

$20 annual maintenance fee, in addition to $80 CTRS annual maintenance fee (total $100) annually.

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How do I submit my completed application?

You can either mail it to us at: NCTRC, 16 Squadron Boulevard, Suite 101, New City, New York 10956 or you can scan and email it to us at nctrc@nctrc.org.

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When and how will I be notified of the results of my review?

Review of all applications takes between 4-6 weeks. You will be mailed the results of your review.

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When I am awarded with the Specialization Area of Designation will it be added to my CTRS certificate?

You will receive a separate certificate mailed to you upon your initial award of Specialization Area as well as each year you renew it.

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How do I include my Specialization Area Designation when I sign completed documentation?

You may sign: Name, CTRS-Specialization in (name of your specialization area).

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Will the continuing education completed for the Specialization Area count for my recertification cycle?

As long as the continuing education hours are completed within the 5 year Recertification cycle, 50 hours will be reviewed to meet the Recertification requirements.

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How do I select a specialization area?

This is both a personal and professional choice. It is best to identify the specialization area that will provide you with opportunities for growth and learning, advancement, increased competence, as well as provide intrinsic reward.

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What are the Requirements?

CTRS Active Status; 5000 hours of Professional Work Experience in TR/RT in Specialization Area (HR Verification Required); 75 hours of Continuing Education specific to the Specialization Area within the 5 year cycle geared toward the Job Analysis (CE documents required).

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May I apply for more than one specialization area at a time?

You may apply for more than one specialization area at a time, however, each specialization area application must be submitted separately and each will be reviewed individually. You will need 75 hours of continuing education related to each area selected and 5000 hours of Professional Work Experience related to each of the specific areas selected.

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Standards Changes


Have there been any recent Standards changes or updates that affect the credentialing process?

The NCTRC Standards are continuously reviewed and updated to facilitate the credentialing process and to remain current. NCTRC routinely notifies all CTRSs and educators regarding specific changes to the NCTRC Standards through email announcements and newsletter postings. As of January 1, 2022, there are no pending changes to the NCTRC Certification Standards. Please continue to check back at nctrc.org for any updates.

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Hardship Fee Waiver


Where can I find information on the Hardship Fee Waiver program?

Please visit https://www.nctrc.org/nctrc-hardship-fee-waiver/ for more information.

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When will I receive the decision regarding the review of my Hardship Fee Waiver Request?

The Hardship Fee Waiver Committee typically meets on a quarterly basis to review fee waiver requests. You will be notified via email once a decision has been rendered on your request.

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Why can’t NCTRC staff tell me if I’m missing something on the Fee Waiver Request form?

The Hardship Fee Waiver Committee is comprised of CTRS’s serving in a volunteer role for the organization; no NCTRC staff members serve on this committee.  Staff members do not see the Fee Waiver Request forms prior to them being sent to the Committee for review.

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Scholarship


May students outside the US apply?

There are no geographic restrictions on the NCTRC Scholarship Program, so students  living outside the US may apply.

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Would courses in substance abuse certification count?

Decisions related to scholarship awards are made by the Scholarship Committee, not the NCTRC staff.  If, after reading through the Scholarship Mission, Focus, and Process, you feel that you meet the requirements and the intent of this Scholarship, we encourage you to apply.

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I submitted my official transcripts in order to take the NCTRC test to become certified. Do I need to resubmit my official transcripts to apply for the scholarship?

The NCTRC Scholarship is managed separately from certification operations; the Scholarship Committee will not have access to the applicant’s NCTRC profile/data.  You will need to submit a copy of your transcript (s) along with the required documents for this program if you choose to apply. Please follow the Application Process on the Scholarship Application.

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The application process requires proof of a bill that I have paid. Is the scholarship only eligible for bills that have been paid out of pocket, or are balances paid by student loans eligible?

The amount paid for course(s), excluding student fees, by loans or out of pocket are eligible for this scholarship opportunity.

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The application asks if I have any other scholarships. Currently I do not because I am no longer a student, however, I received scholarships when I was a student. Do I need to list those?

Yes, please list applicable scholarships that you had while a student.

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Do I need to be a current student to apply for this scholarship?

You do not need to be a current student.  This scholarship is applicable to any course successfully completed within the past 12 months that aligns with the intent and focus of this scholarship program.

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What is the deadline for submitting scholarship applications?

There is no deadline for submission of the scholarship; you may submit your completed application with all accompanying documents at any point within the year. The Scholarship Committee will review the applications four times a year.

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Which courses are eligible for the new scholarship?

Credit generating courses leading to one of the following are eligible: application for Professional Eligibility, recertification of their CTRS credential, Area of Specialization designation, progress toward advanced degree in TR/RT, enhanced recreational therapy knowledge to provide improved quality of care.

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Am I able to apply now and then send my transcript when my semester finishes?

No, it is very important that the application and all accompanying documents be submitted at one time.

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My financial aid package for school was very complicated; I received loans, grants, and scholarships. How do I know what is eligible for this scholarship?

A good rule of thumb in determining what may be eligible for this scholarship is that if you have to pay the money back, then it can be reviewed for the NCTRC Scholarship.

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Can I mail in my scholarship documents?

We prefer you email the documents to nctrc@nctrc.org. However, if you need to mail the documents, that is fine too.

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When will I receive the decision regarding the review of my Scholarship Application?

This committee typically meets on a quarterly basis to review Scholarship Applications. You will be notified via email once a decision has been rendered related to the review of the application.

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Why can’t NCTRC staff tell me if I’m missing something on my NCTRC Scholarship Application?

The NCTRC Scholarship Committee is comprised of CTRS’s serving in a volunteer role for the organization; no NCTRC staff members serve on this committee.  Staff members do not see the Scholarship Applications prior to them being sent to the Committee for review.

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Disciplinary Issues


How are disciplinary issues reported to NCTRC?

NCTRC considers alleged violations of the NCTRC Certification Standards a serious offense and encourages all responsible parties to contact NCTRC with any direct knowledge of CTRS professional misconduct. Alleged violations of the NCTRC Certification Standards must be submitted in writing to the NCTRC Executive Director and should identify the person(s) alleged to be involved and the facts concerning the alleged conduct in as much detail and specificity as possible. The allegations should identify by name, address and telephone number the person making the information known to NCTRC and others who may have knowledge of the facts and circumstances concerning the alleged conduct. Available documentation should also be provided to the Executive Director and the Executive Director may request additional information relating to the content or form of the allegations. Please review the NCTRC Certification Standards for further information.

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Research Grant


What types of research can I apply for with the NCTRC Research Grant Program?

There are three types of research that each applicant must choose from (only one may be selected):

  1. Basic
    Pursuit of new knowledge or theoretical understanding related to recreational therapy. It is exploratory in nature involving the development of or testing of concepts or functions that can lead to applied research.

  2. Applied
    Applies the findings of basic research or other existing knowledge toward discovering new scientific knowledge that has specific commercial objectives with respect to new products, services, processes, or methods.

  3. Program Development
    Directed toward the introduction or significant improvement of recreational therapy services, processes, or methods.

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What is funded, and what is not funded if I receive a Research Grant from NCTRC?

Funding supports student assistants, supplies, necessary travel for data collection and other costs of the research project. Funding will not cover fringe benefits, administrative costs, personal stipends or salary, training, courses, lessons, or travel to conferences.

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When will I receive the decision regarding the review of my Research Grant Application?

The NCTRC Research Committee will review applications and will notify individuals typically six to eight weeks after each submission window deadline.

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Why can’t NCTRC staff tell me if I’ve missed something on the Research Grant Application?

The NCTRC Research Committee is comprised of CTRSs serving in a volunteer role for the organization; no NCTRC staff members serve on this committee. Staff members do not see the Research Grant applications prior to them being sent to the committee for review.

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Other


Do I need to report a name and/or address change?

NCTRC requires that all candidates and certificants maintain their legal name and address in the official NCTRC records. To report a name change, login to MY NCTRC LOGIN and complete the Name Change process. If you only need to change your address, you may update your contact information by logging into your profile at MY NCTRC LOGIN or you may email your requested changes to nctrc@nctrc.org.

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My organization is presenting an educational workshop and we are in the process of completing the Continuing Education Organizational Pre-approval Program Application for content review and approval by NCTRC. Are we required to complete this process?

The Continuing Education Organizational Pre-approval Program Application process is a fee based process where the content of the education will be reviewed in order to confirm relationship to the NCTRC Job Analysis knowledge areas. This process is optional, and not required by NCTRC.

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