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CTRS Verification

Maintaining Your Credential: Specialization Area Designation

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) offers Specialization Area Designation as a direct extension of the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS®) credential for individuals who qualify.

The Specialization Area Designation on the CTRS credential is used to indicate advanced knowledge, skill, recreational therapy experience and focused continuing education within a specified area of practice.

This process is available as an added option to those active certificants submitting their recertification application.

NCTRC awards recognition of advanced knowledge and skill in seven specialized areas of recreational therapy practice. Click on an area of specialization below to read about the distinctive skills, knowledge, and abilities defined within the specified area of practice:

This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to, knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the use of equipment, adaptations and/or assistive devices, accommodations, coaching, and training (of both recreational and competitive adaptive sports), through recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, so that individuals with disabilities, impairments, and/or conditions are fully enabled to maximize their potential and actively participate in sports, recreation, and physical activity equally with those without a disabling condition within diverse settings. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within community settings, hospitals, schools, rehabilitative centers, and other areas of service.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, for the diseases, disorders, conditions, and impairments related to emotional and cognitive functioning within human behavior. This area includes mental and substance abuse disorders that directly impact functioning. It is recognized that this specialty area includes a multitude of specific diseases and impairments that occur throughout the human lifespan. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within hospitals, rehabilitative centers, community-based clinics, and other areas of service.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to, knowledge, skills and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, for a wide array of population groups that represent a range of disabilities, impairments, and conditions. Inclusion is a process that enables individuals with disabilities to have the opportunity to participate at their highest level of functioning, in the least restrictive environment, in all recreation and community activities offered to people without disabilities. Inclusion requires providing the necessary adaptations, modifications, accommodations, and support through recreational therapy services, so that all individuals can benefit equally from a community-based experience. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within community settings, hospitals, schools, rehabilitative centers, and other areas of service.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, for the diagnoses, conditions, and impairments that manifest prior to adulthood and directly impact typical and predictable human development in three or more major life functions. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within medical centers, educational facilities, community-based programs, and other areas of service.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, for the diseases, conditions, and impairments primarily associated with aging adults. These conditions often impact the physical, social, psychological, and cognitive functioning of older adults. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within hospitals, geriatric rehabilitative centers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living & retirement communities, as well as adult-day and in-home support programs.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to knowledge, skills, and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, including diseases, conditions, and impairments, and their impact on the development of play, leisure, and social skills for children and youth. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within schools, hospitals, rehabilitative centers, medical day care, community-based nursing facilities, and other areas of service.
This area of specialization includes, but is not limited to, knowledge, skills, and abilities related to recreational therapy services, as defined by the NCTRC Job Analysis Study, for individuals presenting with diseases, conditions, and impairments such as spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, orthopedic, or neuromuscular skeletal disorders that require physical medicine and/or rehabilitative care. It is recognized that this area of specialization includes a multitude of specific diseases and impairments that occur throughout the human lifespan. Recreational therapy services are usually provided within hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physical medicine and rehabilitation centers, community-based clinics, and other areas of service.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CTRS SPECIALIZATION AREA DESIGNATION

Advanced knowledge and skill in recreational therapy can be acquired through several methods including education programs, conferences focused upon specific skills or diagnostic populations, and the successful acquisition of expert skills that have been mastered over a substantial period of practice.

Refine or enhance your skills within a particular subject matter, specific populations, and service sectors. NCTRC pre-approves continuing education session content for CTRSs, activity professionals, and others to fulfill recertification and licensing requirements. Some CE session content includes specialized knowledge and skills that are distinctive to specific populations and service sectors, meeting focused continuing education for CTRSs interested in applying to NCTRC for Specialization Area Designation.

Watch for communication from NCTRC about pre-approved continuing education session content that indicates Specialization Area Designation, including verifiable digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials.

Certificants with an active CTRS credential are eligible to apply for specialization in one or more of the designation areas noted above during a certificant’s recertification period.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Applying for Specialization Area Designation is optional.
  • Certificants choosing to submit the Specialization Area Designation application during their recertification process must submit evidence denoting experience and focused continuing education in the specified area of practice.
  • All certificants submitting a Specialization Area Designation application will be subject to audit by NCTRC at time of recertification.

If you believe that you meet the requirements, complete the Specialization Area Designation Application and submit payment through the MY NCTRC LOGIN portal.

Once obtained, the Specialization Area Designation is noted on the CTRSs current certification to indicate experience and focused continuing education in that area.

NCTRC® provides digital badges to those who earn Specialization Area Designation to help CTRSs communicate their earned credentials to peers, employers, recruiters, and professional networks. The digital badge is a way to shine a spotlight on your skills and get recognized for specialization.

The CTRS® designation of specialization provides a higher level of assurance and verification that the practitioner has committed to advancing their knowledge and skills to support provision of quality services to the consumer. Recreational therapy professionals who acquire a higher level of education, knowledge, and advanced skills in specific areas of specialization stand out among their peers.

CTRSs who hold Specialization Area Designation in one or more areas are required to complete annual maintenance and recertification for both their CTRS® certification and Specialization Area Designation.

  • The Specialization Area Designation is valid for a period of five years.
  • Renewal of your Specialization Area Designation is completed yearly when renewing your CTRS certification.
  • The annual maintenance application and fee must be submitted for each year of the five-year specialization area designation cycle.
  • Recertification of both the CTRS credential and the Specialization Area Designation would occur at the next scheduled recertification due date.

Access Specialization Area Designation renewal applications and submit payment through the MY NCTRC LOGIN portal.

NCTRC Continuing Education Online Event Calendar
Digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credential