The intended use of the NCTRC Certification Exam is to ensure that applicants demonstrate the necessary level of knowledge and competence to be recognized as a qualified provider of recreational therapy services.
Individuals wishing to become certified through National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (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.
The NCTRC Certification Exam is available to individuals who:
The NCTRC Certification Exam is available in English, French-Canadian, and Spanish-Modern (Spanish for Latin Americas).
Individuals have three (3) hours to complete 120 multiple-choice questions. The test may not be reviewed once it has been exited.
To maximize your time and to assure that you do not exit the test in error before answering all the questions, it is recommended that you attempt each question before reviewing marked questions.
To ensure the valid development of the NCTRC exam program, a small number of items (17%) will be presented in order to gather performance statistics. These items will be non-scored, will not impact your test result and will be presented randomly within the test form.
The NCTRC Certification Exam is developed by a group of Subject Matter Experts in recreational therapy who are appointed by the NCTRC Board of Directors. These Subject Matter Experts serve on one of the following committees: Exam Management Committee, Item Writing Sub-Committee, and Item Review Sub- Committee.
Upon completion of the test, you will receive a score report indicating pass or fail.
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) works with Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) to deliver the examination for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS®) credential. The exam is delivered continuously throughout the Pearson VUE network of test centers along with live remote proctoring.
DRC is a provider of candidate management services to ensure that candidates’ eligibilities, registrations, and published exams are in place and active when scheduled.
Pearson VUE provides its extensive footprint of secure testing centers and online testing with OnVue for administration of the CTRS exam. Review the Pearson Vue page with helpful resources and FAQs for test-takers. Also review the Professional & Regulatory Candidate Rules Agreement through Pearson VUE.
Test dates for the NCTRC Certification Exam are determined annually and noted at time of exam registration and scheduling. For additional details, see the Exam Registration information.
