Disciplinary Process

NCTRC is committed to the safe and ethical provision of recreational therapy services to all consumers by CTRSs. All instances of professional misconduct should be directly reported to NCTRC for immediate review and follow-up. Appropriate sanctions will be instituted if the case warrants such action.

Reporting a Disciplinary Issue 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.

Why is the Disciplinary Code Important in Healthcare Today?

In the realm of professional conduct, the general public as well as the consumers of recreational therapy services assume professionals operate according to appropriate values and ethics. Competence, truthfulness, integrity, and professional appropriateness are expected of all who hold the CTRS credential. Certain types of conduct are not appropriate for health and human service professionals in our society. NCTRC standards guide its certificants to meet these societal expectations for healthcare professionals in recreational therapy.

NCTRC acts as the overseer in the interest of the public. NCTRC standards and procedures relating to professional conduct in practice were developed for the protection of the consumer. NCTRC has the right to limit or revoke certification credentials when it finds that a certificant has not complied with required standards and may pose a threat to the health and safety of the public. These issues governing the CTRS’ behavior are not unique to the field of recreational therapy but are in fact representative of conduct standards held by most legitimate healthcare professions and are as strong as state licensure conduct standards. The critical importance that ethics and conduct matters play in the delivery of competent, effective, and credible healthcare services to clients has become more and more evident over the past twenty years of technological advancement in the healthcare industry.

NCTRC’s professional conduct standards, coupled with procedures for implementation, and the development of national peer review committees, keep the focus of credentialing in recreational therapy directly on the protection of the consumer of services.

Employers and healthcare agencies who hire NCTRC certificants can rely on the value of the CTRS. Employers can also be assured that the CTRS adheres to standards of conduct and recertification requirements for continued professional competence.

The certification program of NCTRC is in harmony with these current concerns for quality healthcare in the United States and Canada. The emphasis has been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of the consumer. NCTRC certificants can take pride in their CTRS credential as an indicator of a healthcare professional whose first priority is quality service and protection of the consumer.