R/TRO & R/TRO DIP and CTRS: How similar are they?

Are you wondering what the difference is between TRO’s designations (R/TRO and R/TRO DIP) and the CTRS© credential offered through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)? If you answer “Yes”, you are likely not alone!

Let us explore some similarities and differences among TRO’s registration designations and NCTRC’s certification credential.

What do they have in common?

They all:

Set a standard of excellence within the profession
Are recognized among various employers in Ontario
Are voluntary; no legislation dictates that practitioners need to have one or the other
Represent continuing professional development
Have academic and work experience pathways

Are awarded to individuals who meet specified educational and practical experience criteria
Have 5-year cyclical maintenance processes in place
Provide guidance to employers about qualifications of an RT
Address recognized standards of practice within the profession
Non-profit organizations

How do they differ?

R/TRO & R/TRO DIP

Registration*
Requires applicants to meet standards of excellence in 4 areas: education, experience, professional affiliations, professional contributions
Is an application process only (no examination)
Provincial designation
Takes into consideration a CTRS credential in the application process
Granted through the provincial association
Recognizes both university and college prepared practitioners
Highlights professional contributions to the profession over and above educational and practical experiences to be eligible for application
Requires 25 hours of continuing education on a 5 year cycle for designation maintenance

CTRS©

Certification*
Requires applicants to meet the specified education and experience and then pass an exam
International certification
Is an accredited certification organization with accountability to the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) which is part of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)
Does not recognize diploma –prepared practitioners
Tests entry level knowledge for practice in therapeutic recreation
Endorsed by the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA)
Requires 50 hours of continuing education on a 5 year cycle for credential maintenance

For more information about TRO registration designations visit: www.trontario.org

For more information about the certification with NCTRC visit: www.nctrc.org

Did you know?

R/TRO/TRO DIP means an individual is registered with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario
The R/TRO DIP was formulated to showcase the second educational pathway (other than degree) that is available to TR practitioners within Ontario AND that TRO needed to define this pathway in support of advocating for the diploma prepared practitioners
The TRO designations offer an academic pathway (Path A) to students from schools that have voluntary submitted their curriculum for review in Sept 2015 and beyond. This means that those students have the opportunity to make up all of their practical experience hours during placements without needing to gain additional points in work experience post-graduation.
CTRS applicants can submit for their registration with TRO at a reduced cost and fewer supporting documents provided they produce a copy of their current certification with NCTRC
CTRS stands for Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and is the credential granted through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification – it cannot be interchanged with CTRA which is our Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association

Did you know?

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