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NCTRC e-News
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Protecting and Promoting Since 1981
March/April 2024
NCTRC Celebrates CTRSs for Years of Service!
NCTRC is proud to send anniversary pins to recognize CTRSs with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service. The CTRS® anniversary pin serves as an acknowledgment of an individual’s long-standing professional commitment to maintaining NCTRC certification as a CTRS. NCTRC will begin mailing anniversary pins by mid-April.
Here are a few of the replies we received:
“Thank you for the acknowledgment of service. It has been a true honor to serve as a recreational therapist for 25 years. I have served in the veteran space for 22 of those years and it has been life changing to serve them”.
“Thank you for the notice of my 25th Anniversary. The time has flown by, and I enjoy every minute of what I do. I would love to receive my 25th anniversary pin”.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful acknowledgement of my 35th year CTRS anniversary - so very proud indeed, over the many years of dedicated service and professional certification!”
Thank you to all CTRSs for your hard work and dedication to the profession of therapeutic recreation! Showcase your accomplishments as a CTRS and display your pride in the therapeutic recreation profession by wearing your CTRS pin and sharing your CTRS digital badge on social media and in your email signature.
NCTRC Webinar & Conference Presentations
NCTRC Credentialing Specialists have been busy presenting webinars to various colleges, universities, and organizations since January 2024. If your group is interested in having NCTRC present a webinar, the NCTRC Webinar Request Form is available on the NCTRC website.
NCTRC is also proud to be presenting and/or exhibiting at various conferences in 2024! Confirmed conferences include:
- Utah Recreation Therapy Association: 2024 URTA Annual Conference
- Great Lakes Recreational Therapy Student Conference
- 2024 National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) Annual Conference
- Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA) 2024 Conference
If you are attending any of these conferences, we hope you can attend an NCTRC session(s) and/or take a moment to stop by and chat with the NCTRC Credentialing staff.
Attention conference leaders: If you would like NCTRC to present at your in-person or virtual conference, complete the NCTRC Conference Presentation Request Form and email it to nctrc@nctrc.org. A credentialing specialist will get back to you with NCTRC’s availability.
CTRSs – Learn about NCTRC Pre-approved Continuing Education!
NCTRC is committed to providing CTRSs with the resources necessary for recertification, including pre-approved continuing education opportunities. Learn in confidence knowing that NCTRC has pre-approved continuing education session content from conferences, workshops, as well as online and on-demand courses offered by a multitude of organizations and continuing education providers.
NCTRC’s weekly e-Blasts and the online NCTRC Continuing Education Event Calendar Listing inform you of pre-approved continuing education information based on requests that NCTRC receives to share this information. Watch your inbox and stay connected with NCTRC.
NCTRC Micro-Credentials and Associated Digital Badges
NCTRC is excited to announce that the number of approved co-branded NCTRC micro-credentials continues to grow! Learn in confidence knowing that NCTRC has pre-approved the continuing education session content that correlates with these verifiable micro-credentials and associated co-branded digital badges.
Have you earned a co-branded NCTRC micro-credential and want to receive the associated digital badge?
NCTRC issues the associated digital badge to earners who have completed the required continuing education. Simply go to your MY NCTRC LOGIN account to complete the application: Digital Badge - Associated with Micro-Credential.
For individuals who do not have a MY NCTRC LOGIN account: the NCTRC Application for Digital Badge associated with a Micro-Credential is available at nctrc.org. Submit the completed application, payment, and certificate of completion to nctrc@nctrc.org to be eligible for issuance of the digital badge associated with the earned micro-credential.
We hope you take advantage of this benefit and enjoy the professional recognition afforded by our badging program. To learn more about digital badges, review the NCTRC Badge Earner Guide and go online to the CEUS page at nctrc.org.
We believe that NCTRC digital badges will further enhance your professional standing and achievements. So, when you complete the continuing education for a micro-credential and earn a badge, be sure to claim that badge, and then share your badge!
You’ve worked hard to earn this credential – now it’s time to share it with the world!
New Release: Organizational Roles within the Therapeutic Recreation Profession YouTube Video!
Check out the NEW video on the NCTRC YouTube channel - Organizational Roles within the Therapeutic Recreation Profession. NCTRC has partnered with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), and Council on Accreditation – Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) to create an overview of the Organizational Roles within the Therapeutic Recreation Profession. These roles explain and define the broader purpose and scope of each organization’s contribution to the Therapeutic Recreation profession.
Reminder that the Organizational Roles within the Therapeutic Recreation Profession infographic can be found on the About page at nctrc.org.
NCTRC Research Grant Program Announcements
The NCTRC Research Committee is pleased to announce that six proposals were received for the March 15, 2024, submission deadline. NCTRC Research Grant applications will be reviewed by the NCTRC Research Committee and applicants will be notified of the decision via email, with funding to be awarded in May 2024 to the selected applicant(s). We are proud to offer this program which seeks to open new doors for current RT practitioners as well as those pursuing careers in the field. For more information you can read the NCTRC Research Grant Program Fast Facts.
The next Research Grant Application submission deadline is October 15 at 11:59 PM ET. We hope you consider applying.
Attention CTRSs who serve as Equivalency Path Supervisors!
Attention CTRSs who have supervised equivalency path applicants! Reminder to complete and submit the Supervision of Equivalency Path for Continuing Education form in order to earn continuing education credit toward NCTRC Recertification. For a copy of the form go to the Resources page at nctrc.org.
We encourage you to complete this form during the supervision experience to document your involvement as an equivalency path supervisor. Retain the completed form with your continuing education materials for submission if you are randomly chosen for audit during your recertification process.
Each equivalency path applicant supervision earns two (2) CE credit hours. A CTRS can supervise more than one equivalency path applicant at a time, and may claim up to three (3) of these experiences for a maximum of six (6) CE hours during their recertification cycle.
NCTRC extends its sincere appreciation to CTRSs who supervise equivalency path applicants. The supervisor plays an extremely important role in the development of new TR professionals and potential CTRSs.
Annual Maintenance Reminder
NCTRC will notify CTRSs of their pending renewal date by email. Certificants can complete the CTRS renewal process on-line by using MY NCTRC LOGIN via our online secure application portal. After logging into your dashboard profile, please click on the “Annual Maintenance Renewal” link. If that link is not available, please contact NCTRC for assistance.
Go further with an NCTRC Scholarship.
An NCTRC Scholarship recognizes the achievements of those who seek to advance their knowledge and professional competency to improve the quality of recreational therapy services.
Recertify and Reinvest in Yourself.
NCTRC knows how hard you worked to obtain the CTRS credential. Continue your professional journey by renewing your CTRS certification.
If you require additional information or have questions, please contact NCTRC at 845-639-1439 or nctrc@nctrc.org.
Thank you for your continued support of NCTRC and the CTRS® credential!
