Examination for Activity Director Certification (AD/TXC)
Goal of Certification
The basic purpose of the Consortium’s certification program is to assure the general public and employing agencies of the competence of therapeutic recreation and activity personnel by certifying that they meet basic and prescribed standards. This certification attests that an individual is qualified by training and experience to conduct and administer therapeutic recreation and/or activity services at an Activity Director level.
Requirements for Certification
Activity Director/Texas Certified (AD/TXC)
Track I
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- Completion of a High School diploma or GED, AND
- Successful completion of the following courses and accompany practitioner hours (As approved by State requirement)
- CTRAC Education Course for Activity Professionals Part I
- CTRAC Education Course for Activity Professionals Part II
Certified Activity Director’s with “Conditions”
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- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
- Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
- Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Program Design*
- Completion of twenty clock hours or 2.0 continuing education
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
Effective April 1, 2026
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- CTRAC Standardized Curriculum-Activity Director Certification Course
- CTRAC Standardized 96 Hr. AD/TXC Course
- CTRAC Standardized Curriculum-Activity Director Certification Course
Certified Activity Director’s with “Conditions”
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- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
- Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
- Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Program Design*
- Completion of twenty clock hours or 2.0 continuing education
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
Track II
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- Completion of a High School Diploma or GED, AND
- Successful completion of the following courses and accompanying practitioner hours (As approved by State requirement)
- Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP I) Part I
- Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP II) Part II
Certified Activity Director’s with “Conditions”
-
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
- Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
- Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Program Design*
- Completion of twenty clock hours or 2.0 continuing education
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
Track III
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- Completion of a High School Diploma or GED, AND
- Option I: Successful completion of the following courses and accompanying practitioner hours (As approved by State requirement)
- NCCAP Standardized Curriculum-Activity Director Certification Course
- NCCAP Standardized 90 Hr. ADC Course
- NCCAP Standardized Curriculum-Activity Director Certification Course
- Option II: Successful completion of the following courses and accompanying practitioner hours (As approved by State requirement)
- NCCAP Standardized Curriculum- Bridge for Activities Director’s Course
- Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP I) Part I
- 36 Hr. Bridge Course
- NCCAP Standardized Curriculum- Bridge for Activities Director’s Course
- Option I: Successful completion of the following courses and accompanying practitioner hours (As approved by State requirement)
- Completion of a High School Diploma or GED, AND
Certified Activity Director’s with “Conditions”
-
-
-
-
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
- Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
- Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Program Design*
- Completion of twenty clock hours or 2.0 continuing education
- Individuals must completed the following courses within two (2) years of receiving their certification in order to maintain their certification
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-
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NOTE: Eligibility for certification renewal will depend on completing the required therapeutic recreation coursework listed above.
(Approved courses are from an accredited university, college, or Certified CTRAC instructor)
Click here to download an application 
| Examination Dates and Application & Fee Deadlines | |||
| JANUARY
(Application deadline: December 1st) |
APRIL
(Application deadline: March 1st) |
JULY
(Application deadline: June 1st) |
OCTOBER
(Application deadline: September 1st) |
| FEES: | |
| Step 1
Complete the Application and payment form DO NOT submit the examination fee at this time examinee’s application must be reviewed and approved documentation will be emailed/or mailed out to applicants when the sitting fee is required |
Step 2
When the application has successfully passed the review process an email will be sent with the application review and examination dates and sites. The Examination fee is due and payable if the applicant is eligible for examination. Notice, including a deadline for payment, will be sent. This fee is non-refundable but may be applied to the next examination cycle if the applicant is unable to take the examination and notify the CTRAC office, not less than (10) working days before the examination date. |
| Application Fee: $100.00 | Examination Sitting Fee $75.00 |
| Re-examination fee, or no-show: $75.00 | |
The application and examination fees are not refundable.
After that time, your files will be discarded, you are no longer considered eligible to take the examination, and be required to meet the current standards for certification.
Application Process:
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- Complete the application: type or print information.
- Include transcripts to verify all college or university coursework/units and verification of CEUs as appropriate.
- Mail completed application to:
- CTRAC Office
- 14405 Walters Rd. Ste. 955
- Houston, Texas 77014
Recertification:
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- The recertification process will occur every two (2) years.
- Two (2) continuing education units (ceu’s), or 20 contact hours from at least four areas of the Body of Knowledge, are required.
- Conferences and Workshops: Continuing Education includes professional workshops, conferences, and other formal programs. List the total number of hours obtained in your two-year cycle. Your continuing education content must relate to the knowledge areas of the CTRAC Body of Knowledge.
- Academic Courses: Academic coursework must be taken at a college or university.
- Publications: “Articles, editorials, professional editing of textbooks, etc., that relate to therapeutic recreation/or activities. (This refers to publications made by the applicants.)
- Presentations: Presentations made at professional conferences, workshops, or programs.
- NOTE: One (1) ceu= Ten (10) clock hours.
- Activity Director Networking Meeting(s)/or Group(s) are unacceptable unless officials’ ceu’s are awarded by an authorized CEU agency, university, or college.
