National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) is committed to providing you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals and we understand that communicating your credentials in an ever-expanding online marketplace can be challenging.
As the world evolves, traditional certificates are no longer the only way to showcase certifications, areas of expertise, and credibility within a profession. That is why we have partnered with Credly by Pearson to provide earners with digital badges to visually represent their achievement.
Through the NCTRC digital badging program CTRSs and other professionals can use earned digital badges to validate and showcase personal skills and earned credentials beyond traditional certificates. Each NCTRC digital badge is uniquely linked and hosted on Credly, a secure and reliable online digital credential network. All digital badges are backed by NCTRC – the premier credentialing organization within the profession of Therapeutic Recreation.
Enhance your professional profile – claim your earned digital badges from NCTRC, including approved micro-credentials. Acquire the knowledge necessary for continued professional success, then log into your Credly account and start sharing your NCTRC issued digital badges today to get the recognition you deserve!
Learn more about NCTRC badges available for CTRSs and other professionals and information on how to earn them below.
Professional Eligibility Digital Badge
Professional Eligibility through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) verifies that an individual has completed the educational and professional experience requirements needed to register and sit for the NCTRC Certification Exam.
Once Professional Eligibility is awarded, individuals receive the associated digital badge from NCTRC. Digital badges are secure, web-enabled credentials containing verified information about the earner’s professional achievements.
Individuals wishing to become certified through NCTRC and earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS®) credential must meet specific educational and professional experience requirements, in addition to passing the NCTRC Certification Exam.
Click on the Professional Eligibility badge to see a list of skills and criteria required to earn Professional Eligibility through NCTRC.
Review the Steps to Become a CTRS and the NCTRC Certification Standards to learn more about Professional Eligibility requirements.
CTRS® Digital Badge
Along with an official certificate, all individuals who earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS) credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) will receive a digital badge.
The digital badge allows CTRSs to broadcast their achievement to colleagues, employers, and recruiters and further enhance their professional profile.
The digital badge is a graphical representation of the credential – allowing the viewer to confirm the current authenticity of individual’s certification and learn more about the requirements, professional knowledge and skills, and competencies involved.
Click on the CTRS badge to see a list of skills and criteria required to earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential through NCTRC.
Individuals wishing to become certified through NCTRC and earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential must meet specific educational and professional experience requirements, in addition to passing the NCTRC Certification Exam.
For additional details about the CTRS credential, review the CTRS Certification information and NCTRC Certification Standards.
CTRS® – Specialization Area Designation Digital Badge
Through CTRS Specialization Area Designation, certificants are offered the opportunity to be recognized for their advanced knowledge and skill in a specialized area of practice.
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) currently awards recognition in seven areas of specialization to CTRSs denoting experience and focused continuing education to enhance recreational therapy practice.
CTRSs who are awarded Specialization Area Designation from NCTRC will receive a digital badge. The digital badge allows CTRSs to broadcast their achievement to colleagues, employers, and recruiters and further enhance their professional profile.
See the collection of CTRS Specialization Area Designation badges available through NCTRC. Click on each of the badges to see a list of skills and criteria required to earn the CTRS Specialization Area Designation through NCTRC.
For additional details about Specialization Area Designation, review the CTRS Certification information and NCTRC Certification Standards.
Digital Badges associated with NCTRC® Approved Micro-Credentials
Recreational therapists, activity professionals, and practitioners from a variety of professions can learn in confidence knowing that National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC) has pre-approved continuing education session content that is transformed into verifiable micro-credentials and associated digital badges. NCTRC issues the associated digital badge to earners who have completed the required continuing education.
Browse the full collection of digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials for opportunities to enhance your professional profile. Open to professionals across various fields, these badges highlight your commitment to excellence and professional growth.
What is a Micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a learning experience designed to teach or upgrade new skills and knowledge. A micro-credential is earned when the learner successfully demonstrates competency of the specific skill or set of skills, usually via an assessment. Micro-credentials through NCTRC are represented as ‘digital badges’ that provide evidence and a visual symbol of learned skills and achievements.
To view complete details and learn how to earn digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials, click here to view each badge and learn about the CE course and earning requirements.
If you have earned one or more by completing the associated CE course/training, simply go to your account through the MY NCTRC LOGIN portal and apply for the associated digital badge. Don’t have an account with NCTRC? No problem, simply email us at nctrc@nctrc.org to get started.
Open to professionals across various fields, these badges highlight your commitment to excellence and professional growth. Build your professional portfolio – check out the wide selection of NCTRC approved micro-credentials available for any professional to earn.
NCTRC approved micro-credentials do not require you to hold a CTRS certification or be a recreational therapist. Enhance your professional competency – earn digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials.
Earners are assured that a digital badge associated with an NCTRC approved micro-credential is a direct result of NCTRC pre-approved continuing education session content that meets NCTRC Standards and is directly related to the NCTRC Job Analysis.
Use NCTRC digital badges to broadcast your achievement to colleagues, employers, and recruiters, and further enhance your professional profile!
Use NCTRC digital badges to broadcast your achievement to colleagues, employers, and recruiters and further enhance your professional profile!
A digital badge is a way to spotlight an individual’s accomplishments – a graphical representation of a person’s knowledge and skills. Digital badges are secure, web-enabled credentials containing verified information about the earner’s professional achievements. Each digital badge contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications, and the process required to earn them.
Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. According to a recent LinkedIn study, profiles with certifications and badges receive six times the number of profile views.
We believe the NCTRC Digital Badges will further enhance your professional standing and achievements. Start using them today to stand out in your profession, boost your career growth, provide you with tools when asking for a promotion, and promote your commitment to lifelong learning.
It’s never too late to claim your NCTRC issued digital badge(s). To learn more about how to claim, use, and share your badge(s), please view the NCTRC Badge Earner Guide.
It’s never too late to claim your NCTRC issued digital badge(s). To learn more about how to claim, use, and share your badge(s), please view the NCTRC Badge Earner Guide.
Share your digital badge story with us!
CTRSs – are you using your CTRS, Specialization Area Designation, or digital badge for an NCTRC approved micro-credential to further enhance your professional standing and achievements? Are you sharing your badge on social media and through your professional networks to showcase your credential? NCTRC would like to hear your badge success story. Email us: nctrc@nctrc.org.
