Welcome to NCBRTL
Office Hours Mon-Thurs
8:30-4:30
(336) 212-1133
We are excited to share three important updates with you as we continue our mission to support and strengthen the practice of recreational therapy in North Carolina.
1) New Mailing Address
Please note that the NCBRTL mailing address has changed from Durham to Davidson. The new address is:
North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL)
99 Jackson Street, PO Box 265
Davidson, NC 28036
2) Board Member Transitions
We extend our sincere gratitude to Wendy Chavez and Michael Atkins, who have completed their service as Public Members of the Board. Their dedication, thoughtful input, and commitment to protecting the public interest have been greatly appreciated.
We are also pleased to welcome Dave Newkirk and Wes Hall as new Public Members. Their perspectives and experience will be valuable as the Board continues to uphold the standards of the Recreational Therapy Practice Act.
3) Looking for CEUs? Here Are Upcoming Training Opportunities
We encourage you to take advantage of these continuing education opportunities.
• Internship Manual Development Workshop
- Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Format: Virtual (Zoom)
- Credits: 7.0 hours
- Cost: $105
• Compliance & Ethics (C&E) Training
- Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
- Format: Virtual (Zoom)
- Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Credits: 4.0 hours
- Cost: $60
Note: Compliance and Ethics (C&E) training is required for all first-year licensees and serves as a valuable refresher course for all licensees. It also counts toward your continuing education requirements. C&E is offered three times a year on the first Fridays in March, August, and November from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM via Zoom.
We appreciate your continued commitment to the profession and to those we serve. Thank you for being an integral part of recreational therapy in North Carolina.
Sincerely,
North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL)
Board Contact Information:
Joan L. Sutton, MS, LRT, CTRS, CDP, FDRT
Executive Director
NC Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure
PO Box 265
Davidson, NC 28036-9721
336 212-1133
History

Prior to the current amendment, in 1987, the Therapeutic Recreation
Certification Board was created for consumer protection. The original act
offered title protection so individuals using "TRS" or "Therapeutic
Recreation Specialist" were required to be certified by the Board. Many
agencies did not use the title which allowed non-qualified people to
practice recreational therapy. In Oct, 2005 an amendment was enacted to the
Recreational Therapy Licensure Act, requiring individuals practicing
recreational therapy in accordance with the professional standards of
practice be licensed regardless of their job title. Recreational Therapists
and Recreational Therapy Assistants in North Carolina must be licensed by
the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy (NCBRTL).
Purpose

To aid in the insurance of public protection, Chapter 90C requires
individuals meet minimal established requirements set forth by
Administrative Rules and their application be reviewed by the North Carolina
Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL). NCBRTL welcomes all out
of state as well as NC residents to seek a license. All applicants must
submit an application, meet established educational requirements and be
reviewed and approved by the Board prior to practicing in NC. All CTRSs
must complete the entire application process. NCBRTL reviews applications
during the last week of each month.
compliance

NCBRTLs commitment to best practices requires practitioners stay current
with healthcare practices through continuing education. All licensees are
required to maintain current contact with NCBRTL through Maintenance
Applications, Renewal and Continuing Education submissions. Renewal
and Continuing education documents are reviewed every two years . Content
must be linked to the NCTRC Job Analysis. Licensees are expected to comply
with professional code of ethics and report any disciplinary infractions or
possible unsafe recreational therapy practice to NCBRTL.