Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General 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
2. Do I need to be a resident of NC?
3. 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.
4. How long does the licensure process take?
The Board meets for to review
applications the last week of the month. 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
5. What are the requirements for licensure?
New applicants for the recreational therapist level must have:
Successful passage of the NCTRC TR Exam
A candidate for licensure must have graduated 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.
6 RT/TR Content Courses (August 1, 2022)
3 Semester Hours Abnormal Psychology
3 Semester Hours Anatomy & Physiology
3 Semester Hours Human Growth & Development Across Life Span
9 Semester Hours Health and Human Services
560 Hour, 14 week Internship under an LRT (in NC) and/or CTRS(out of NC)
Internship dates including the Month, Day and Year must be documented on
the application.
An Associate of Applied Science Degree in therapeutic recreation
or recreational therapy from a community college
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;
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;
6. What are considered Health and Human Services Courses?
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. Such as:
Sociology, Rehabilitation, Medical Terminology, Gerontology, General
Psychology, Special Education are nonexclusive examples.
7. 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.
Applicants may show proof of “testing out” through CLEP, the College-Level
Examination Program.
8. 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
in NC and/or a NCTRC CTRS (out of state) and documented on a
college/university transcript.
9. 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 TR Exam.
10. 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) was only
for those who were currently TRCB (or listed as Inactive with TRCB as of
October 5, 2005). The “Grandfather clause” expired January 15, 2008. NCTRC
Certification is not a level for grandfathering into licensure.
11. I am from out of state and can not find my Internship
Supervisor, what do I do?
The Board will consider your application with completion of Lost
Internship Supervisor Appeals Form and a completed and signed
Clinical Performance Appraisal and Summary Reference Form(CPASRF) for 1 year of experience as an RT. This form must be notarized and
can be found at www.ncbrtl.org
Maintenance Questions
12. What is Maintenance and will I receive notice when mine is
due?
Maintenance is due the off year of your Renewal is due. It is
designed to keep your information current. NCBRTL sends notices to email
address listed on the NCBRTL website. This is your responsibility to keep
this email address current by logging on to website. These notices are
automatically sent to the last email address listed on your online
profile. Please disregard if you have sent your Maintenance
Application and fee in, and continue to receive one of these
automated messages. Your License will expire if Maintenance application
and fee is not received.
Renewal questions
13. Will I receive notice when my Renewal is due?
NCBRTL sends notices to email address listed on the NCBRTL
website. This is your responsibility to keep this email address current by
logging on to website. These notices are automatically sent from the
website. Please disregard if you have sent your renewal in,
and continue to receive one of these automated messages. Your License will
expire if Renewal application, continuing education documentation, updated
photo and fee are not received.
14. Do I need to send a photo with my renewal application?
You may judge if your photo needs updated with your Renewal application.
15. Do I have to send originals of my Cont. Ed and/or continuing
education documentation?
No, we accept copies. However, if there is question, originals
may be requested.
16. What documentation needs to be sent for Renewals?
NCBRTL reviews for proof of attendance, amount of credit earned or time of session(s) and content of the continuing education. The content must be relate to the NCTRC Job Analysis http://www.nctrc.org/documents/5JobAnalysis.pdf
17. What is accepted documentation for Internship Supervision
Credit?
You may earn .3 or 3 hours of credit for up to 2 students per two year renewal cycle. The ONLY accepted documentation is a completed NCBRTL Clinical Performance Appraisal and Summary Reference (CPASRF)