How do I become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)?

Imagine using recreational activities like art, music, or sports to help someone regain confidence and mobility after an injury! Becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) allows you to transform lives through purposeful play.

This profession plays a vital role in helping patients:

• Lessen their depression, stress, and anxiety

• Regaining basic motor skills and cognitive abilities

• Building back their confidence after an injury

• Return to their social lives

By:

• Observing and assessing patients’ needs

• Creating and applying treatment plans

• Leading activities like physical exercises and games

To become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), you must fulfill specific educational and internship requirements as outlined by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

To meet the NCTRC educational requirements, you must earn a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a related field with at least 18 semester hours in therapeutic recreation coursework, covering:

• Core therapeutic recreation (TR) topics (minimum 15 semester hours/20 quarter hours): therapeutic recreation programming, assessment and documentation in therapeutic recreation, facilitation techniques in therapeutic recreation, etc.

• Supportive courses in anatomy & physiology, abnormal psychology, and human growth & development

  

For your internship, you need to complete a 560-hour, 14-week internship under the supervision of a certified CTRS professional. The experience must involve all aspects of the therapeutic recreation process (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation).

Quiz: Maria's Career

Maria wants to become a CTRS as quickly as possible, but she is unsure of the minimum academic requirements. She currently has an associate degree in kinesiology and five years of experience as a recreation coordinator. What is her best course of action?

A. Apply for CTRS certification, since she has enough work experience.

B. Earn a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or a related field with at least 18 semester hours in TR coursework.

C. Take extra TR courses to supplement her associate degree and submit her work experience as a substitute for a degree.

D. Enroll in a master’s program in TR without completing a bachelor’s degree.

After completing your educational requirements, the next step to becoming a CTRSinvolves obtaining certification through the NCTRC.

This is the process you'll go through:

• Professional eligibility application: Submit an application to NCTRC, proving you’ve met the necessary educational and internship requirements.

• NCTRC Certification Exam: Once approved, register for and pass the exam to assess your therapeutic recreation knowledge and skills.

If you succeeded in obtaining your CTRS certificate, congratulations! ✨

But don't forget to keep your certification active. You should complete:

• Annual maintenance: Submit an application and fee each year to keep your certification active.

• Recertification (every five years): Demonstrate professional experience and continuing education or retake the exam.

Quiz: Jordan's Certification

Jordan has just graduated with a degree in therapeutic recreation and completed their internship. They're ready to apply for certification as a CTRS. Jordan also wants to ensure they maintain their certification in the long term.

Which of the following steps will ensure Jordan successfully becomes and stays certified as a CTRS?

A. Submit a Professional Eligibility Application, pass the NCTRC Certification Exam, and retake the exam every three years.

B. Apply for certification, pass the exam, complete annual maintenance requirements, and show proof of professional experience or continuing education every five years.

C. Register for the NCTRC Certification Exam, pass it, and submit proof of continuing education every year.

What are some required skills for a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)?

As a CTRS in the future, you'll use active listening to understand patients' needs and design personalized therapy plans while ensuring their comfort.

• Creativity enables you to develop engaging activities like art or music therapy, tailored to patients' interests and recovery goals.

• Empathy helps you connect with patients, build trust, and create a supportive environment by understanding their emotions and experiences.

• Patience is essential for supporting patients as they progress at their own pace, providing encouragement, and adapting activities to their needs.

Some common misconceptions that people have that it’s an easy profession and that it is just playing games...There are so many benefits to your quality of life overall.  I address these misconceptions by showing people how I am making a positive difference in their loved ones quality of life. Families notice more that their loved one is in a better mood and the family knows that I am there making sure their loved one in safe hands.

— Alejandra Underhill, Recreation Therapist

In complex care I get to interact with a wide range of patients — all the way from those in their early 20’s to late 90’s. I get to work with patients with varying abilities and interests, encompassing a breadth of diagnoses. I love seeing patients rediscover the things that bring them joy and develop their skills so that they can transition into other programs. Hearing a patient say 'I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do this again' truly brings a smile to my face.  

— Judy Beitz at St. Joseph's

Recreational therapy is so much more than just “playing games” — it’s about making a real impact on people’s lives. As a CTRS, a big part of the job is helping others see the benefits, from improving coordination to reducing loneliness and boosting mood.

And the best part? Seeing someone light up when they rediscover an activity they thought they’d never do again! If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating meaningful experiences, this career could be a perfect fit.

Photo by Madison Oren on Unsplash

Start your journey toward becoming a skilled CTRS today!