A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS) is recognized as a qualified professional providing recreational therapy services.
Issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®), the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential indicates to employers and the public that the CTRS has met specific educational and professional experience requirements, in addition to passing the NCTRC Certification Exam.
In today’s demanding employment market, NCTRC certification signifies that the CTRS is a qualified professional providing recreational therapy services, with the skills, ability and knowledge recognized as essential for recreational therapy practice. The CTRS has extensive knowledge and skill-based training in core therapy skills including assessment, planning, implementation, documentation, and evaluation.
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists work with a wide spectrum of client populations within a plethora of service settings, including hospitals, housing and healthcare centers, hospice, home and community-based programs, parks and recreation programs, schools, and residential settings. There are also recreational therapists who work in academic and research settings.
Recreational Therapists serve individuals within a wide range of diagnostic populations, including behavioral and mental health, geriatric, addictions, Veterans, general medicine, developmental disabilities, pediatric, physical medicine and rehabilitation clients. For additional details and occupation-specific information, review the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) O*NET Ally listing for Recreational Therapists.
Since many CTRSs focus their practice within a specific population and service sector, NCTRC awards recognition of advanced knowledge and skill in seven specialized areas of recreational therapy practice. Specialization is well recognized within professional practice and has become the norm within the health and human service delivery system today.
In today’s employment settings where professional credentials and training are the benchmarks of quality, the CTRS and Specialization Area Designations through NCTRC exemplify the profession’s dedication to industry standards and professional excellence.
