Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas Certified Fact Sheet

Goal of Certification

The primary 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 or activity services at a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist level.

Requirements for Certification:

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas Certified (TRS/TXC)

Track I:

Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major or emphasis in therapeutic recreation, including coursework as follows:

      • Fifteen (15) semester units or twenty (20) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice content courses (no activity courses); AND
      • Nine (9) semester units or twelve (12) quarter units of recreation theory and practice courses (no activity courses) AND
      • Completion of a minimum of eighteen (18) semester units or twenty-seven (27) quarter units of coursework related to understanding human functioning and development.  Courses are required from at least three subject areas: adapted physical education, social services, psychology, special education, criminal justice, counseling, life development, motor development or learning, anatomy and physiology, or etiology of disability.  (Note:  no more than six (6) semester units will be accepted from any one (1) area.), AND
      • Completing at least five hundred sixty hours (560) of fieldwork/internship experience, verified by college or university transcripts, in a therapeutic recreation program.  The agency supervisor must be certified by CTRAC or NCTRC, have been certified for a minimum of one year, and have worked as a therapeutic recreation specialist in the current agency for a minimum of one year.
      • If TR coursework and degree are over 5 years old, you must complete twelve (12) units or sixteen (16) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Track II:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, or other discipline related to human functioning and development.

      • Two years of full-time employment or four thousand (4000) total hours of paid employment within the last five years in a therapeutic recreation setting utilizing the TR process AND verified by a TRS employed by that agency during the period of employment.
      • The applicant must complete fifteen (15) units or twenty (20) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses.
      • If TR coursework is over 5 years old, you must complete twelve (12) units or sixteen (16) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

Track III:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, or other discipline related to human functioning and development.

      • No less than five years of full-time employment or ten thousand (10,000) total hours of paid employment within the last seven years in a human functioning and development discipline.
      • Transcript(s) should reflect core/general content courses related to therapeutic recreation, i.e., recreation, psychology, sociology, anatomy and physiology, and human development.  The number must be determined case-by-case by the CTRAC Educational Chair or Credential Review Committee Chair.
      • During the initial two-year cycle, the applicant must complete fifteen (15) units or twenty (20) quarter units of therapeutic recreation theory and practice courses before applying for recertification.

(NOTE: Additional coursework may be required depending on work experience and core content courses.  Approved courses must be from an accredited university or Certified CTRAC Instructor.)

    • Click here to download an application.        

Fees:

    • Application Fee:   $100.00
    • Examination Fee:  $75.00 (Do NOT include with this application)
    • The application fee (only) must accompany the application.  This fee is non-refundable.
    • DO NOT submit the examination fee at this time—your application must be reviewed and approved. When the examination fee is required, documentation (with a payment due date) will be mailed to applicants.
    • If the applicant is eligible for the examination, the examination fee is due and payable. A notice, including a payment deadline, will be sent.
    • In extraordinary situations approved by CTRAC, the fee can be applied to the next examination cycle when the CTRAC office receives a notice at least ten business days before the examination date.

Application Process:

    • Complete the application: type or print information.
    • Include official 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, university, or a Certified CTRAC Instructor.
    • 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.