Therapeutic Recreation Associate/Texas Certified Fact Sheet

Examination for Therapeutic Recreation Associate (TRA/TXC)

Goal of Certification

The primary purpose of the Consortium’s certification program is to assure the general public and employing agency 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 or activity services at a Therapeutic Recreation Associate level.

Requirements for Certification:

Track 1

  • Associate Degree from an accredited educational institution with a major in therapeutic recreation, AND
  • Coursework must include a minimum of six (6) semester hours of college credit in therapeutic recreation theory and practice, and one of the courses must contain an introduction to therapeutic recreation material.  Each course must deal exclusively with therapeutic recreation content, AND
  • 360-hour internship/fieldwork placement that is the equivalent of three university credit hours earned as part of an academic program.
  • If TR coursework and degree are over 5 years old, you must complete twelve (6) units or nine (9) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Track 2

  • Associate Degree  or higher with a major in a related field AND
  • Coursework must include a minimum of six (6) semester hours of college credit in therapeutic recreation theory and practice, and one of the courses must contain an introduction to therapeutic recreation material.  Each course must deal exclusively with therapeutic recreation content AND
  • Not less than one (1) year of full-time work experience (2000 hours) in therapeutic recreation.
  • If TR coursework and degree are over five years old, you must complete twelve (6) units or nine (9) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Track 3

  • Not less than four (4) years of full-time experience (8000 hours) in therapeutic recreation
  • Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
  • Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Programming*
    • *(Approved courses are from an accredited university or CTRAC approved provider)
    • A minimum of 15 credit hours of university coursework related to the CTRAC Body of Knowledge**
    • **(If Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation Program Design are taken for university credit, those courses count toward this requirement.  If taken by a non-university source, they do not count toward the 15 hours of university credit)
    • If TR coursework is over five years old, you must complete twelve (6) units or nine (9) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Track 4

  • No less than four (4) years of full-time work experience (8000 hours) in therapeutic recreation/activities setting AFTER acquiring CTRAC AD/TXC level.
  • Completion of one approved course in Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation*
  • Completion of one approved course in Therapeutic Recreation Program Design*
  • *(Approved courses are from an accredited university or CTRAC approved provider)
  • If TR coursework is over five years old, you must complete twelve (6) units or nine (9) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Click here to download an application.        

Fees:

  • Application Fee:  $100.00
  • Examination Fee:  $75.00
    • The application fee (only) must accompany the application.  This fee is Non-refundable.
    • DO NOT submit the examination fee at this time. The examinee’s application must be reviewed, and documentation will be mailed to applicants when the sitting fee is required.
    • The examination fee is due and payable if the applicant is eligible.  Notice, including a deadline for payment, will be sent.  This fee is not refundable but may be applied to the next examination cycle if the applicant cannot take the examination and notify the CTRAC office not less than (10) working days before the examination date.

Application Process:

  • Complete the application by typing or printing 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:

  • 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.
    • Presentations: Presentations made at professional conferences, workshops, or programs.
    • NOTE:  One (1) ceu= Ten (10) clock hours.