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NCTRC e-News
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Protecting and Promoting Since 1981
NCTRC Peak Highlights
NCTRC has been busy this past year promoting the credential and enhancing the certification process for both new applicants and certificants.
Some highlights include:
- Introduction of a New Data Management System – Last summer, NCTRC transitioned to a new data management system that supports more efficient office operations. In addition to eliminating the need to print out applications for processing at the office, this new system allows certificants to store their CE documents in their profile, immediately print their own certificates for annual renewal, print receipts for payment
verification, and utilize a more robust Online Verification Portal that supports the search for certificants by state/province as well as country.
- Marketing – NCTRC has recently released all new marketing materials that reflect the new brand. If you would like brochures that promote the importance of the CTRS® credential sent to you, please contact NCTRC at nctrc@nctrc.org and we will send up to 50 brochures for free.
- Spotlight on NCTRC – NCTRC was featured on the Innovations with Ed Begley, Jr. Show, focusing on the role that NCTRC plays in supporting quality healthcare. The 6 minute segment aired on 3/31/18 at 5:00 ET on Fox Business. This segment will be available for viewing on the NCTRC website shortly; please check nctrc.org over the next week or so. Also, if you live in or around Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C. or Edmonton, Alberta, be sure to look for our 30 second spot on CNN. This educational commercial, a condensed version of our 6 minute Innovations with Ed Begley, Jr. segment, will highlight NCTRC and
advances in therapeutic recreation. The spot will air between 8 p.m.–10 p.m. beginning Monday, June 4 through Sunday, July 1, 2018.
- International TR Coalition – The goal of this coalition, jointly chaired between NCTRC and ATRA, is to provide a formal platform to connect and support professionals in various countries who have a similar scope of practice to TR/RT with the development of their profession and credentialing. Currently, the coalition has members from 7 different countries.
- Translation of Certification Standards – The NCTRC Certification Standards are now available in English, Spanish, and French.
- Website – A project is currently underway to enhance the accessibility of the NCTRC website and also to embed a translation tool that will allow those visiting the site to see the content of main webpages in their selected language.
- NCTRC Registry – Including active, inactive, and eligible for re-entry, there are over 17,000 certificants on the NCTRC registry. These individuals represent 16 countries, including the US. The growth of the credential in Canada continues with 756 certificants residing there.
NCTRC Posts Tutorial for Professional Eligibility Application Submission
NCTRC wishes to acknowledge John A. Jones for his work in completing the initial structure and content of the Professional Eligibility Application Tutorial that is now available on the NCTRC website. Thank you!
This Application Tutorial will assist new applicants with step by step directions on the process of filling out and submitting a professional eligibility application.
NCTRC Conducts Annual Board Meeting
The NCTRC Board of Directors conducted its annual meeting on April 24–25, 2018 in New City, NY.
Three new members were inducted to the NCTRC Board of Directors for the 2018–2021 term:
- Melissa Davis, CTRS (TX)
- Jerome Singleton, CTRS (NS, Canada)
- Peter Gagliardo (NJ) was appointed as the new Consumer Representative
A new Executive Committee for the term of 2018–2019 was elected:
- Melissa Zahl, CTRS/L (OK), Chairperson
- Andrea Waters, CTRS (NS, Canada), Vice Chairperson
- Suzanne Prosser, CTRS (AZ), Treasurer
- Donna Gregory, CTRS (MD), Secretary
Julie Bradwell, CTRS (NC) was re-appointed to the Standards Review Committee
Cecilia Rider, CTRS (GA) was re-appointed to the Standards Hearing Committee
Deborah Tiger, CTRS (OK) was re-appointed to the Exam Management Committee
The Board approved conducting the NCTRC Annual Certificants Meeting at the ATRA Annual Conference to be held in Grand Rapids, MI, September 13–16, 2018.
Helpful Reminders to Assure a Successful Internship
The summer months often serve as an opportunity for students to complete their academic internships. In order to provide a smooth transition to obtaining the CTRS® credential, the following requirements must be met during the internship experience:
- The length of the internship must be a minimum of 14 consecutive weeks and 560 hours.
- The intern must work a minimum of 20 hours per week and no more than 45 hours per week.
- The primary agency CTRS® supervisor must be employed at least 30 hours a week at the sponsoring agency. At least 50% of the supervisor's duties must be in therapeutic recreation and they must be an active CTRS® on the first day of the student’s internship.
- The internship must be supervised by an academic supervisor and an agency supervisor both of whom need to hold active CTRS® status.
- The internship agency supervisor must be certified for at least one year prior to supervising interns.
- The internship experience must be based on the therapeutic recreation process as defined by the current NCTRC Job Analysis.
Please visit nctrc.org to review and download the NCTRC Internship Standards. NCTRC offers a marketing packet specifically geared towards the internship standards. If you would like to receive a packet, please contact nctrc@nctrc.org.
Earn CE Credit for Supervising Interns
Don’t forget that as an agency CTRS® supervisor you can earn CEUs towards your recertification, please review the NCTRC Internship Supervision for Continuing Education Form for more information.
Reminder: In order for NCTRC to verify your employment status as an internship supervisor, all active CTRS® internship supervisors are asked to go to the dashboard profile found at My NCTRC Login and update/input your employment information by clicking on My Profile.
NCTRC has Moved!
NCTRC has moved down the road. Our new address is:
NCTRC
16 Squadron Blvd, Suite 101
New City, NY 10956
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.
CTRS® Credential Verification
Visit our CTRS® Verification Search Portal to verify information about active Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.
NCTRC News
Visit our website for all the latest news and updates relating to NCTRC and the CTRS® credential.
