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NCTRC e-News
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Protecting and Promoting Since 1981
Season's Greetings from the NCTRC Board, Committees, and Staff!
November/December 2022
Annual Certificants Meeting
The Annual NCTRC Certificants Meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 4:30 pm EST. Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Certificants Meeting will last about one hour, and the following topics will be reviewed: approval of the 2021 Minutes of the NCTRC Virtual Meeting, acknowledgement of members of the Board of Directors and Standing Committees, I.C.E./NCCA accreditation status, standards updates, exam information/pass rates, marketing news, nominations and elections, and NCTRC accomplishments over the past year. At the end of the meeting, certificants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the credentialing program.
If you are unable to attend the live meeting, it will be recorded and posted to the NCTRC website and YouTube channel. Attendance at the meeting is not mandatory.
Please note: CEUs will not be awarded for this meeting.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact NCTRC at nctrc@nctrc.org or 845-639-1439.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
NCTRC Conducts Annual Board Meeting
The NCTRC Board of Directors held its Fall meeting at Grand Valley State University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 12–13. The Board reviewed materials focused on NCTRC certification standards, credentialing operations, and the work of the standing committees (Standards Hearing, Standards Review, and Exam Management Committees), as well as the Corporate Social Responsibility programs (Hardship Fee Waiver, NCTRC Scholarship, and the NCTRC Research Grant). In addition, discussions related to digital badges and micro-credentials, enhanced marketing materials, and opportunities to further support international partnerships were conducted. It was a very productive meeting, but the highlight of the week was the opportunity to meet with the Grand Valley State University faculty and RT students.
If your agency or academic program is interested in hosting an NCTRC Board of Directors meeting, please send an email (nctrc@nctrc.org) to the office indicating your interest.
New Job Analysis and Exam Content Outline
Effective January 1, 2023
NCTRC will implement the new 2021 Job Analysis (JA) Report and related Exam Content Outline on January 1, 2023.
The purpose of the job analysis study is to identify the knowledge and tasks that are important for the necessary level of competence for entry into the profession as a qualified provider of recreational therapy services. The findings of the job analysis study serve as the basis for the NCTRC Certification Exam Content Outline and informs CTRSs about content areas for continuing education related to recertification.
Please contact NCTRC if you have any questions regarding the NCTRC Job Analysis Report or the exam implementation schedule.
2023 Exam Testing Windows
2023 testing windows are as follows:
- January 1–February 1, 2023
- March 1–March 31, 2023
- May 1–June 1, 2023
- July 1–July 31, 2023
- September 1–October 1, 2023
- November 1–November 30, 2023
Successful completion of the NCTRC Certification Exam is a requirement of the CTRS® credentialing application process. Applicants must establish Professional Eligibility in order to register for the exam. For a complete explanation of the exam application process please review the NCTRC Certification Standards.
NCTRC Welcomes Digital Badges!
A new way to share your professional skills, knowledge, and accomplishments!
The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® welcomes a new way to share professional skills, knowledge, and accomplishments through micro-credentials and digital badges! Learn more at NCTRC.
- Have you ever learned a new skill that would be perfect for your clients and then not had an easy way to share this with your co-workers?
- Do you wish you had an image to add to your email signature or online profile that shows what you know or can do?
- Are you looking for a better way to advocate for yourself and your profession?
Learn it. Earn it. Share it.
NCTRC is committed to providing you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals and we understand that communicating your credentials in an ever-expanding online marketplace can be challenging. That is why we have partnered with Credly to provide you with digital versions of the CTRS Credential, CTRS Specialization Area Designation, and Professional Eligibility.
Watch your email, as NCTRC is sending digital badge issue notifications to those who hold CTRS Credential, Professional Eligibility status, and CTRS Specialization Area Designation. Follow the steps in the email from Credly to claim your badge. We hope you take advantage of this benefit and enjoy the professional recognition afforded by our badging program.
Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as NCTRC announces additional opportunities to earn micro-credentials and associated digital badges through collaborative efforts with other professional organizations and continuing education providers.
To learn more about digital badges, go to NCTRC. Take a moment to look at the NCTRC Digital Badge FAQs and NCTRC Badge Earner Guide for more information. If you have questions, please contact NCTRC at nctrc@nctrc.org or call 845-639-1439.
NCTRC YouTube Channel
NCTRC is adding a variety of tutorials about digital badges to our YouTube Channel. Please visit the NCTRC YouTube Channel for a full list of educational and informative videos on various topics.
Open New Doors with the NCTRC Research Grant Program
NCTRC seeks to support opportunities to advance research in the field of recreational therapy. The new NCTRC Research Grant Program intends to:
1) Provide opportunities for individuals pursuing a career in or already practicing recreational therapy to establish and maintain lines of research,
2) Promote the collaboration between higher education faculty and practitioners,
3) Support the provision of quality recreational therapy services, and
4) Promote the CTRS as the qualified provider of recreational therapy services.
The NCTRC Research Committee will meet in early December to finalize review of the many strong proposals submitted for the October submission window.
As a reminder, research grants will be awarded two times per year with the next grant submission deadline of March 15 at 11:59 PM ET; with funding awarded in May to the selected applicant(s). NCTRC would like to encourage individuals who hold active status as a CTRS or are currently enrolled in TR/RT coursework or academic programs to consider applying for a NCTRC Research Grant. NCTRC Research Grant Application packets will be reviewed by the Research Grant Committee and applicants will be notified of the decision via email.
To learn more, visit nctrc.org and apply today. If you require additional information or have questions, contact NCTRC at 845-639-1439 or nctrc@nctrc.org.
NCTRC Website Update
Please note the following website menu change at nctrc.org—the "Publications & Forms" menu item has been changed to "Resources".
Get Social with NCTRC.
NCTRC is on Facebook. We are excited provide this avenue of contact between you and the organization.
Stay in the know - news and updates are posted frequently!
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.
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.
Please contact NCTRC at 845-639-1439 or nctrc@nctrc.org.
Thank you for your continued support of NCTRC and the CTRS® credential!
