Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas Certified Fact Sheet

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 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 of the following 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
      • Completion of a minimum of 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 currently 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.

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 paid employment within the last 5 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 more than 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.

      • Not 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 discipline related to human functioning and development.
      • 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 required to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the CTRAC Educational Chair and/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:  Depending on work experience and core content courses, additional coursework may be required.  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.   Documentation (with payment due date) will be mailed out to applicants when the examination fee is required.
    • The examination fee is due and payable if the applicant is eligible for the examination.  A notice, including a deadline for payment, will be sent.
    • In special situations, approved by CTRAC, when the CTRAC office receives a notice at least 10 business days before the examination date, the fee can be applied to the next examination cycle.

Application Process:

    • Complete the application: type or print information.
    • Include official transcripts to verify all college and/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 relates to publications made by the applicants.)
    • Presentations: Presentations made at professional conferences, workshops, or programs.
    • NOTE:  One (1) ceu= Ten (10) clock hours.