General Licensure Questions

1. Why is licensure important?
Licensure allows for protection of the consumer by ensuring competency standards have been meet in order to practice recreational therapy in North Carolina. Licensure monitors the practice of recreational therapy rather than primarily monitoring the job title as the former certification law did.

2. How is professional credentialing different in NC than in other states?
Most states do not have state regulations related to certification or licensure, but employers require national certification through NCTRC. Utah and New Hampshire have state licensure, and Washington has state registration for recreational therapists. Application must be made to each individual state. Information concerning the other states can be found at the websites listed below: Utah- http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2004/bills/sbillint/sb0043.htm
New Hampshire- http://www.newenglandtra.org/newsletter.htm
Washington- http://www.doh.wa.gov

3. How is licensure in NC different from or similar to national certification?
State licensure regulates recreational therapy practice (according to definitions found in G. S. Chapter 90C) to protect the public from harm.
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCRTC) owns the trademark of the title "CTRS" and monitors the use of this title. NCTRC administers an examination to assess minimal competency to use the title CTRS.

4. Do I need to be a resident of NC? No.

5. What are the penalties if someone practices recreational therapy/therapeutic recreation without being licensed?
The state licensing board can apply for a restraining order or an injunction to prevent continued violations of the law and can pursue action in civil court for a class 1 misdemeanor for misrepresentation of a license to practice recreational therapy or for practicing recreational therapy without a license. The licensing board can issue sanctions and penalties and may require remedial education, issue a letter of reprimand or restrict, revoke, suspend or deny any license if the board determines the licensee violated any provisions of Chapter 90C.

6. Will my employer require licensure?
Yes, unless you are an exempt federal employee, the law in North Carolina requires individuals practicing as recreational therapists or recreational therapy assistants be licensed.

7. How long does the licensure process take?
The deadline for submission of applications is a postmark date of the 15th of each month. The Board meets to review applications within two weeks after the deadline date. If your application is incomplete for any reason, you will be contacted for corrections/additions, etc. Your application will be considered "open" for 60 days to make these corrections. After 60 days, your application will be considered closed and a new application and fees will need to be submitted. THE BOARD WILL NOT REVIEW INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS.

Requirement Questions

8. What are the requirements for licensure?

New applicants for the recreational therapist level must provide evidence of:

- Successful passage of the NCTRC TR Exam

- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree or higher and with a major or specialization in recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation. An academic major is defined as a degree in recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation. A specialization in recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation is defined as a degree in recreation and leisure studies, or recreation, or health and physical education, or health and human performance with a specialization, also known as an option, emphasis or concentration, in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy.

As of December 2007, required courses include:

• 4 RT/ TR Content Courses
• 5 RT/TR Content Courses (July 15, 2010)
• 3 Semester Hours Abnormal Psychology
• 3 Semester Hours Anatomy & Physiology
• 3 Semester Hours Human Growth & Development over life span
• 9 Semester Hours Health and Human Services

- Completion of a minimum 480 Hour Internship under an LRT or CTRS Internship dates including the month, day and year must be documented on the application.

An applicant for licensure at the recreational therapy assistant level must provide evidence of:

- Successful completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy from a community college

Required courses include: " 9 semester hours in RT/TR content courses;
" 10 semester hours in RT/TR interventions and laboratory;
" 15 semester hours of supportive coursework including at least one course from three of the following areas: psychology, sociology, physical and biological science, human services and physical education courses;

Beginning January 15, 2008: - Completion of a minimum 380 hour field placement experience in a clinical, residential, or community-based agency under the supervision of a Licensed Recreational Therapist or Licensed Recreational Therapy Assistant. The field placement must be a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks with each week including a minimum of 20 hours. 9. What are considered Health and Human Services Courses to meet the LRT/LRTA course requirement?
The courses that should be used to meet support content requirements are those that are useful to practice as a recreational therapist. For example, kinesiology or biomechanics, counseling or helping skills, motor learning, educational or cognitive psychology, psychology of adjustment, pharmacology, first aid and safety and courses in various aspects of health care (e.g. rehabilitation, mental health, legal aspects of health care, health care organization and delivery, etc.) are particularly helpful to the practice of recreational therapy in clinical settings and are recommended as support content courses. Courses such as: Sociology, Rehabilitation, Medical Terminology, Gerontology, General Psychology, Special Education are nonexclusive recommendations.

10. What if I do not have the required supportive coursework?
Many North Carolina universities and community colleges offer the necessary coursework and some offer distance education or on-line courses. A license can't be issued until the requirements for licensure are met.

11. I received my degree before completing an internship was a requirement? Will my years of experience count?
No, the internship must be completed under supervision of a LRT (r a NCTRC CTRS and documented on a college/university transcript.

12. Do I have to take a North Carolina exam or retake the NCTRC exam?
No, there is not a separate North Carolina exam. We accept a copy of your NCTRC Certificate or your successful passage notification as proof of passing the NCTRC Exam.

13. I allowed my North Carolina Certification to expire, am I still eligible for "grandfathering" into licensure?
No, the "grandfather clause" (GS Chapter 90C Section 4) is only for those who are currently certified by TRCB (or listed as Inactive with TRCB as of October 5, 2005). The "grandfather clause" expires January 15, 2008.

14. I am from out of state and can not find my Internship Supervisor, what do I do?
The Board will consider your application with a written letter of request and completion of Internship Supervisor Appeals Form. This form must be notarized and can be obtained from the NCBRTL office. Email mailto:Beckyncbrtl@triad.rr.com?subject=Request for Internship Supervisor Appeals Form.

Application Questions

15. What kind of photo is required?
The photo needs to be a recent color "head and shoulders" photo. This requirement is for your identity protection so that we can identify you if necessary. It can be a snap shot or a color copy of your Drivers License or Human Resource picture. This will be required with each renewal application every two years.

16. Is a photo required every two years at my renewal?
Yes, please update your photo. This is for your identity protection.

17. I attended a Community College and had courses transferred that are stated on my transcripts, do I need to enclose those transcripts?
Yes, all transcripts must be included.

18. Is it ok if my transcripts are sent directly from my school? Also, can my internship supervisor mail in the Intern Performance Form separately?
Yes, but please send the additional documentation required (i.e., marriage certificate, etc.) if your name has changed.

19. Do I need to list all the courses on the application if they are on my transcripts?
Yes, this helps the Board to complete the review in a timely manner.

20. I graduated some years ago and am NCTRC Certified, do I need to complete the Internship Performance Form?
Yes, licensure is not considered reciprocal with certification; therefore, all requirements stated in the North Carolina law (GS Chapter 90C) must be met. The Internship Performance Form documents, in your internship supervisor's judgment, you are competent to practice as a recreational therapist.

21. How do I, as a licensed recreational therapist, provide supervision to a licensed recreational therapy assistant?
First and foremost, review and follow the responsibilities and requirements outlined in Rules .0204, .0205 and the ATRA Standards of Practice for supervision of the LRTA. The LRTA will be required to submit the LRTA Supervision Form with their renewal application.

22. If I am an LRTA but do not practice RT, what do I do about the Supervision form?
Please complete the first data portion of the form and state you are not currently practicing and enclose your job description.

Renewal Questions

23. Do I need to send original documents for my renewal?
Since the NCBRTL is aware of the similar timing for NCTRC renewal, copies will be accepted by be aware if there is a question, originals may be requested.