Professional Qualifications

ATRA’s Entry-to-Practice Position Statement

It is the position of the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) that individuals practicing in the field should meet minimum educational qualifications when entering practice.

In a currently unregulated health profession, this position statement is intended to provide clarity to promote that professionals entering their careers are prepared to provide safe and effective interventions for clients, residents, or patients. ATRA recognizes that in an unregulated profession, an employer decides on the qualifications of a new hire, but may seek the guidance of a professional association for discipline-specific information.

As such, ATRA maintains that those entering practice:

as a recreation therapist should have a degree concentration in therapeutic recreation, meeting specified coursework and practicum criteria; and
as a recreation therapy assistant should have a diploma, meeting specified therapeutic recreation coursework and practicum criteria.

While it is not a requirement for practice as a recreation therapist in Alberta to hold the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), ATRA recognizes that the number of members with CTRS designation is growing, and this achievement towards portability across North America should be celebrated. Recognizing our CTRS professional members is also valuable for both employers and students seeking internships.

Our profession has evolved and will continue to mature in the journey towards regulation.

Therefore, we recognize that:

Prior to our original grandfathering clause that came into effect in April 2021, graduates with diplomas and applicable clinical experience have been hired into Recreation Therapist roles throughout the province and continue to be valued professional members of ATRA.

In 2024, our professional membership categories were voted by membership to be amended as:

Professional – Degree
Professional – Diploma
Professional – CTRS

As the profession evolves, we are committed to continue recognizing the value of all members and the contribution they make to the field of therapeutic recreation and those they serve.

ATRA’s Commitment:

ATRA is committed to supporting our membership, as well as educating potential employers and the public about our Entry-to-Practice Position Statement and our journey to health regulation. Please address any questions to: ATRA@alberta-tr.ca

FAQs: Grandfathering Education & Experience

1. An applicant with a diploma in Recreation Therapy (graduation prior to 2021), with applicable clinical experience has applied for a job as a Recreation Therapist in my facility. Shall I employ this person? Can I call them a Recreation Therapist?

As the Recreation Therapy profession matures the qualifications of requiring a specific degree to enter practice came into effect in April 2021. Prior to April 2021, ATRA recognized the academic qualifications and experience of Therapeutic Recreation diploma graduates within our professional membership category. If your applicant has a TR Diploma, is a professional member in good standing of ATRA and has clinical experience and characteristics you are seeking you may have found your best employee.

2. The Recreation Therapist employed in my agency does not have a degree or diploma that corresponds with 2021 requirements; but is currently a professional member of ATRA. Will they be able to retain their professional membership?

ATRA has implemented a Grandfather Clause to protect current members rights to maintain professional membership. Your employee is able to retain their right to professional membership providing the following conditions are met:

Renewal of annual membership and payment of fees
Participation in ATRA’s Continuing Competence Program

3. The Recreation Therapist employed in my agency has let their ATRA Professional Membership lapse. Will ATRA allow my employee to renew their membership?

Member participation in ATRA’s Continuing Competence Program is the key element in membership renewal. To ensure Albertans receive safe competent therapeutic recreation intervention, a Recreation Therapist that has let their membership lapsed longer than the three-year period prior is required to follow the Return to Practice pathway.

4. The Recreation Therapist employed in my agency has never been a member of ATRA. Does my employee need to be a member of ATRA?

Make current and ongoing professional membership a condition of employment.

Membership with ATRA assures Albertans, your agency, clients and families, that your recreation therapist has met entry to practice requirements, follows a code of ethics, standards of practice and is committed to maintaining competent evidence based practice through completion of a Continuing Competence Program.