Certified CTRAC Instructor Certification Fact Sheet

Goal of Certification

The basic purpose of the CTRAC’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.  The Certified CTRAC Instructor Certification attests that independent instructors who are entitled to use the CCI/TXC credential have met the minimum standards required to teach the CTRAC curriculum for Activity Professionals (see Professional Development Page/Certified CTRAC Instructors for more information on CTRAC courses).  All Certified CTRAC Instructors are authorized to teach the CTRAC I and CTRAC II curriculum.  Some instructors, certified under Track I and Track III, may pursue additional training to be approved to also teach TR I and TR II.

Requirements for Certification:

Track I (May teach CTRAC I and CTRAC II courses for Activity Directors)

    • Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Therapeutic Recreation or a related field.
    • Acceptable related fields are approved on a case-by-case review by the CTRAC Education Committee Chair and the Credentials Review Committee Chair (or their designees)
    • Acceptable related fields include, but are not limited to, Allied Health, Human Development, Experiential Therapies, and Teaching.
    • No work experience necessary
    • Other CTRAC certifications are optional
    • Successful completion of the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course
    • A minimum passing score of 80% on the exam is given at the end of the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course.
    • This track also qualifies instructors to take additional training to enable them to teach TRA and TRS levels (TR I and TR II).  There will be additional fees incurred for this next level of certification.  Choosing to pursue this level is optional and does not affect the ability of the Certified CTRAC Instructor to teach on the CTRAC I and CTRAC II levels.

Track II (May teach CTRAC I and CTRAC II courses for Activity Directors)

    • No work experience necessary
    • Other CTRAC certifications are optional
    • Successful completion of the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course
    • A minimum passing score of 80% on the exam is given at the end of the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course.
    • Approved on a case-by-case review by the CTRAC Education Committee Chair and the Credentials Review Committee Chair (or their designees)
    • Track II-A: Associate degree in a related field
      • Acceptable related fields include, but are not limited to, Allied Health, Human Development, Experiential Therapies, and Teaching.

OR

    • Track II-B:  Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching/instructing persons
      • A variety of ages/populations taught will be considered
      • A variety of settings will be considered
      • Experience must have been within the past 10 years

Track III (May teach CTRAC I and CTRAC II for Activity Directors; those meeting Track I criteria above may also teach therapeutic recreation courses (i.e., TR I and TR II)

    • Current or former instructors “Certified CTRAC Instructors” within the past 2 years
    • No work experience necessary
    • Other CTRAC certifications are optional
    • Exempt from taking the initial exam to become a Certified CTRAC Instructor
    • Will assist in teaching the Introductory Certified CTRAC Instructor Training courses (Spring or Fall)
    • Once certified, non-consecutive recertification will follow the same process as all other CTRAC recertification.

*Click here to download an application      

*Fee:

Certification Instructor Fee

    • Certified CTRAC Instructor Training–$700.00 (Spring or Fall)

Payment option 1: Single payment

    • $75.00 Non-refundable application fee, submitted with the application (will be credited and applied to the certification fee for approved applicants)
    • Send only the $75.00 application fee with the application. Once the application has been approved, the CTRAC office will send an invoice and payment instructions via email for the balance of the certification fee.
    • Full payment must be received to reserve a place in the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training and before Training materials can be shipped to the applicant.

Payment option 2: 90-day payment plan

    • Add a $100.00 service fee to the certification fee,  zero interest
    • 3 equal payments, 30 days apart
    • $75.00 Non-refundable application fee, submitted with the application (will be credited and applied to the first installment of the certification fee for approved applicants)
    • Send only the $75.00 application fee with the application. Once the application has been approved, the CTRAC office will send an invoice and payment instructions via email for the balance of the certification fee.
    • The first installment payment must be received to reserve a place in the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training and before Training materials can be shipped to the applicant.
    • Certification as a Certified CTRAC Instructor will only be granted and certificate issued if payment has been received in full.

Application withdrawal/refund fee

    • In the event it becomes necessary to withdraw your application, a written request must be filed with the CTRAC office within 3 days of the post-approval payment (or first installment payment if utilizing the payment plan).
    • The $75.00 application fee is non-refundable.
    • An additional $75.00 fee will be retained by CTRAC for application processing.
    • Cancellations received after the 3-day window will not be eligible for any refund; however, you may use the payment as a credit to place your application in “pending” status until the next available Certified CTRAC Instructor Training.

Examination Fee:  None (It is included in the certification fee.)

Annual recertification (due on anniversary date) —$100.00

Annual update meeting registration fee (June meeting/covers new materials)—$100.00

*Certification Process:

      • Complete application to become a Certified CTRAC Instructor + $75.00 non-refundable fee (will apply to the approved applicant’s certification fees).  Include transcripts to verify all college and/or university coursework and work experience, as appropriate.
      • Upload, mail, or fax the completed application to:
          • CTRAC Office
          • 14405 Walters Rd Ste 955
          • Houston, Texas 77014
          • info@ctractexas.org
          • Fax 844-927-0457
    • Application is reviewed by the CTRAC Education Chair & Credential Review Chair (or their designees)
    • If the applicant is approved, the applicant will be notified of approval and invoiced for the balance due on the certification fee (crediting the $75.00 application fee). If the applicant is denied, CTRAC will retain the non-refundable $75.00 application fee.
    • The applicant will review, sign, and return a confidentiality/copyright agreement, acknowledging and agreeing to the terms for use of the CTRAC curriculum.
    • Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course materials will be sent to the applicant once fee payment and signed agreement have been received (checks are considered received when they are applied by the bank) and 3 days have passed. Applicants have 3 days post-payment to submit a written request for an allowable refund by email at info@ctractexas.org. Requesting a refund automatically cancels the certification process.
    • Attend and complete the Certified CTRAC Instructor Training course (24 hours over 4 days). CEUs will also be earned (2.4 CEUs for a completed course).
    • Score a passing grade on the certification exam (minimum of 80%). It will be administered on the last day of the training course
    • Receive a certificate of completion/CEUs
    • CTRAC office will issue a certification certificate & number
    • CTRAC will add the newly certified instructor to the Directory of Certified CTRAC Instructors on the CTRAC website (Professional Development page).