Professional Certification

The Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation will help you to meet the therapeutic recreation academic coursework eligibility requirements to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

You are responsible for meeting the requirements to be eligible to sit for the CTRS certification exam. The requirements include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, supportive coursework and paid direct care experience in TR.

If you are completing the old (prior to Fall 2020) TR Certificate Program you are encouraged to apply to sit for the credentialing exam before the new standards go into effect. The exam is offered six times throughout the year. The last opportunity to sit for the CTRS exam prior to the new standards is the November 2021 certificate exam. New standards, requiring 6 TR courses, go into effect January 1, 2022. If you are completing the new (after Fall 2020) TR Certificate Program you will be in compliance with the new standard for 6 TR specific courses. Please refer to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Certification Standards for more information.