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 

ATRA requires an annual registration renewal along with completion of continuing education credits. Continuing education ensures that treatment by registered Recreation Therapists is safe, current, outcome-oriented, patient-centred and demonstrates best practice.

Recreation Therapists in Alberta follow established standards of practice including assessment, intervention/care planning, program development and delivery, documentation, evaluation, research, professional development and community practice.

Recreation Therapists follow standardized, researched and validated clinical practice guidelines to ensure that treatment, practice procedures and expected outcomes are consistent from one region to another.

Standardized, researched and validated assessment and outcome tools are used by Recreation Therapists to ensure patient treatment is meaningful and relevant, goal setting is realistic and achievable and changes in knowledge, behaviour, functional skill or health status are observable and measurable.