FAQs
New applicants to ATRA can select from four membership categories.
Please see full details to select the member category appropriate for you.
Each category has it’s own eligibility criteria and fee schedule.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for membership at any time of the year.
Applications for the current Membership Year which runs from April 1 to March 31 end December 31 of each year.
Membership Applications received and approved between January 1 - March 31 are in effect until March 31 of the following year.
No, ATRA does not require this certification for professional membership. If you are certified by NCTRC at the time of application with ATRA, your application for professional membership will not take as long to review.
- Professional Members: Please upload your Final Official Transcripts which must display all of your final grades and proof of degree to your online account after applying online. Photocopies will not be accepted. Submit your Therapeutic Recreation Practicum Placement Confirmation Form with original signatures. You may wish to keep an electronic copy of all documents you submit to ATRA for your own record keeping of this important application.
- Supporting Members: Please upload your Final Official Transcripts which must display all of your final grades and proof of diploma to your online account after applying online. Photocopies will not be accepted.
- Student Members: Upload your student proof of ID to your account after completing the online application.
- Applicants for Alumni Member are not required to submit qualifications. The application for this membership can be completed fully on-line.
An official transcript is a complete, signed and sealed record of all academic information you completed at an education institution. A transcript is final and official when all of the following apply:
- The final marks or grades you received for each course
- displays proof of your degree / diploma designation (if applicable)
Your official transcript(s) must list the minimum required number of TR (3), general (3) and supporting courses (6).
There are a variety of universities and colleges which offer coursework in Therapeutic Recreation in Alberta and throughout Canada. Many offer these courses with a distance learning option. Please see the ‘Students’ section for a comprehensive list of post-secondary options.
ATRA professional members who continue to work in therapeutic recreation while taking courses are expected to maintain Professional Membership.
ATRA's Member Services program includes Student Bursaries and an Economic Hardship Fee Waiver program you may wish to consider applying for. Please see the ATRA Member Section for full details.
ATRA supporting members who continue to work the recreation therapy sector are expected to maintain Supporting Membership.
ATRA's Member Services program includes Student Bursaries and an Economic Hardship Fee Waiver program you may wish to consider applying for. Please see the ATRA Member Section for full details.
No. Criteria for Professional Membership in each province are not yet uniform across Canada. Please apply as a New Applicant. You will find the information you need in the Application & Renewal section of the ATRA website. Your education and experience will be evaluated and if necessary a bridging process will be implemented to help you meet ATRA criteria.
The length of time required to process applications will vary, but in general, is as follows:
- Professional and Supporting Members 7 - 10 business days after each monthly meeting (Review Committee meets 1x/month)
- Student Members 7 - 10 business days from applicant submission
- Alumni Members 7 - 10 business days from applicant submission
*This reflects the approximate minimum length of time required to process an Entry Point A application once the applicant has submitted all documentation required by ATRA.
Your application fee will be fully refunded by ATRA in the event your application is not accepted for membership.
Yes! ATRA and CTRA have a Joint Membership Agreement that enables ATRA Members a 50% discount on regular CTRA fees. A CTRA Membership provides discounts on professional development events, national volunteer and leadership opportunities and access to Canada wide professional communities of practice to enrich your practice.
Yes, you will need to be a member of ATRA before you can join CTRA according to the Joint Membership Agreement in place between the two associations. This dual membership provides you with a reduction of 50% off the CTRA application fees. Have your ATRA Membership number handy, go to the CTRA website https://canadian-tr.org/membership/, hit the Join Now button and follow the instructions for provincial membership.
ATRA Professional members who continue to work in therapeutic recreation casually, part time or full time while advancing their education are expected to maintain Professional / Supporting Membership.
Apply for ATRA's Advanced Education Bursary to offset additional costs incurred with furthering your formal education.
Professional / Supporting members who are advancing their education are expected to register for ATRA Symposiums in their current membership category.
Apply for the ATRA Symposium Bursary available through your local chapter to offset registration costs.