The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS®) Credentialing Program through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC) is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Read the information below to learn more.
NCTRC is an independent credentialing organization that was designed to meet the recognized credentialing standards for certifying agencies. Since inception, the organization has followed the standards of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) and its accreditation branch, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCTRC has maintained its charter membership with I.C.E since 1987. In 1993, the NCTRC Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Credentialing Program was first accredited by NCCA and maintains current accreditation. Today, NCTRC is internationally recognized as the premier credentialing organization within the therapeutic recreation profession.
NCTRC receives renewal of NCCA accreditation for the CTRS credentialing program by submitting a comprehensive application demonstrating the program’s compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS®) credential has been developed and accredited based on nationally accepted standards for certifying agencies and the following established criteria:
Significant progress has been made in refining the CTRS credential by adding standardized testing, standards for professional conduct and continued professional competence. There has also been an increased emphasis on education of the public regarding the meaning and value of the credential to assure competence and quality in the delivery of recreational therapy services.
NCTRC is committed to the safe and ethical provision of recreational therapy services to all consumers by CTRSs. The CTRS has become the professional standard that exemplifies each professional’s dedication to quality standards and excellence in practice.
NCCA was created in 1987 by I.C.E. to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of certification organizations that assess professional competence. Certification programs that receive NCCA Accreditation demonstrate compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs, which were the first standards for professional certification programs developed by the industry.
The NCCA standards require demonstration of a valid and reliable process for development, implementation, maintenance, and governance of certification programs. NCCA uses a rigorous peer review process to establish accreditation standards, evaluate compliance with the standards, recognize organizations/programs which demonstrate compliance, and serve as a resource for quality certification. Certification organizations that submit their programs for accreditation are evaluated based on the process and products, and not the content; therefore, the Standards are applicable to all professions and industries. Program content validity is demonstrated with a comprehensive job analysis conducted and analyzed by experts, with data gathered from stakeholders in the occupation or industry.
The NCCA Standards are comprehensive and cover all aspects of the certification program(s), including administration, assessment development, and recertification. NCCA standards are consistent with The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999) and are applicable to all professions and industries.
