NCTRC e-News

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Protecting and Promoting Since 1981

NCTRC 45th Anniversary – Celebrate with us at Conferences in 2026!

NCTRC will be presenting and exhibiting at several conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada in the coming months. Credentialing Specialists will be presenting key facts and valuable insights regarding NCTRC programs and services; so, if you are in attendance, we’d love to see you at our sessions.

We hope you stop by the NCTRC exhibit table to connect with us and watch for special giveaways, including limited edition CTRS^® merch in honor of NCTRC’s 45^th anniversary.

Conferences are a great time to connect with NCTRC and ask questions about the certification process. We encourage CTRSs to stop by and tell us about your stories of impact in the field. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be of service to the many applicants, certificants, educators, and others involved in the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) profession. We look forward to connecting and celebrating with you at conferences in 2026!

Celebrating CTRSs - qualified professionals providing recreational therapy services!

During the month of February, in celebration of RT month, we asked CTRSs to share their response to this question: “What do you love about being a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist^® (CTRS)?” 

Here are a few of the responses we received:

“As a CTRS, I love helping people explore their recreational and leisure interests, leading to joy and well-being. It's a privilege to play a role in someone's journey towards a fulfilling life”.
– Alyse M.

“As a CTRS, I love the impact that we can make on every population, young, old, invisible and visible disabilities, as well as mental health, with a variety of interventions from sports to the arts to so many others. The benefits are endless! I love that we can help people find their new and old passions to improve their health and quality of life”.
– JasTino M.

Thank you for sharing your CTRS stories of impact. NCTRC appreciates your contributions to the therapeutic recreation profession and the incredibly important role you play in promoting health and well-being!

Meet NCTRC’s New Board Members

We are excited to welcome Karla Palacios-Reagor, MS, CTRS, and Kendrell Ringer, Ph.D., CTRS/L, CARSS, CAMS, to our Board of Directors. Karla and Kendrell will be sworn in at the NCTRC Board of Directors Spring meeting on April 25-27, 2026. We are grateful for their willingness to serve the TR profession and look forward to the expertise and leadership they bring.

Joint Task Force for Licensure

Working alongside the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is honored to co-sponsor the Joint Task Force for Licensure. This group provides the opportunity for individuals to learn more about regulation of practice, request needed resources from peers to continue their state or provincial work toward licensure, or who want to share the successes and challenges of their journey toward regulation of practice. The March 2026 meeting of this group brought together 13 individuals from 10 U.S. states and Canadian provinces; NCTRC is happy to be a part of this important work.

International Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Coalition

NCTRC is proud to be involved in work that supports the growth of the profession and protection of the consumer around the globe. The International Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Coalition currently has representatives from Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. The group representatives met virtually in February to share updates on the status of the profession in their countries. It is an honor for the NCTRC to work with this dedicated group of professionals from around the world. Together, we are strengthening and unifying the TR profession around the globe!

UPCOMING! Live Zoom Event: Connect with NCTRC

Are you a CTRS who is due for recertification within the next year and would like to learn how to utilize NCTRC programs and services to demonstrate your continued professional knowledge and competence in recreational therapy? 

NCTRC is hosting an upcoming Connect with NCTRC live Zoom event for CTRSs who will be due for recertification within the next year.

Join NCTRC Credentialing Specialists to learn about professional development topics, including recertification, Specialization Area Designation, CEUs, NCTRC pre-approved continuing education, and digital badges. 

We encourage all CTRSs within their recertification period to attend!

• The upcoming Connect with NCTRC live Zoom event will take place on Wednesday, May 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST!
   
• If you are due to recertify within the next 12 months, watch your email for a link to register for this event. The session will last no more than 60 minutes and will not be recorded.

We look forward to connecting with you. Remember, if you have questions about your personal profile, account, or certification cycle, please contact NCTRC by email or phone.

Get Recognized – Claim & Use Earned Digital Badges from NCTRC!

Use digital badges to showcase your skills, validate your competency, and broadcast your achievement to colleagues, employers, recruiters, and clients to further enhance your professional profile.

• NCTRC issues digital badges for micro-credentials from CE Providers! 
  
  If you have completed the course/training for one or more NCTRC approved micro-credentials, apply to NCTRC to be issued the associated digital badge. Click here to learn how to claim and use your badges.
  
  BONUS! NCTRC just added more digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials to the collection! Access the full list here.
   
• OFFER ENDING SOON – Last chance to apply for FREE to be issued your earned digital badges associated with NCTRC approved micro-credentials, as the current free promotional offer will end on April 30, 2026. Starting May 1, 2026, a new reduced rate of only $10.00/badge issuance will take effect.
   
• Attention CTRSs: Did you know that your CTRS digital badge is always FREE to claim from NCTRC as long as your certification is active. If you have NOT yet claimed your CTRS badge, email NCTRC to get started.
   
• Need help to claim, share, and use your badges? Review the NCTRC Badge Earner Guide.

NCTRC Pre-approved Continuing Education & Professional Development Information

NCTRC wants to support CTRSs, recreational therapists, activity professionals, and practitioners from a variety of professions in their search for continuing education opportunities that support their professional growth. 

NCTRC has valuable information for CTRSs and other professionals on the CEUs page of the NCTRC website. Click here to access this professional development information, including the NCTRC Continuing Education Online Event Calendar.

NCTRC has been requested by the CE provider to share the following pre-approved continuing education session content:

• Healthy Solutions: Grounded in Joy: Laughter Yoga for Enduring Well-Being and Professional Education
   
• Oria Mindful: Using Evidence-Based Practice to Provide a Mindfulness Program for Older Adults
   
• Root in Nature: Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation Course (Therapeutic Horticulture Ally digital badge available from NCTRC upon completion)

NCTRC Resources

MY NCTRC LOGIN - Access to your NCTRC account and personal certification information, dates, and details.

NCTRC Financial Assistance Programs - NCTRC offers both need-based and merit-based programs to support individuals within the therapeutic recreation profession.

NCTRC Funded Research Projects - access the list of funded research projects and read final reports from various projects.

NCTRC YouTube channel (@nctrcorg) – find a variety of educational and informational videos.

Publications & Forms – view the most up-to-date documents and information.

Connect with NCTRC on Social Media

FACEBOOK  |  YOUTUBE  |  LINKEDIN  |  INSTAGRAM

Thank you for your continued support of NCTRC and the CTRS^® credential!