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.
- 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 professional diploma members who continue to work the recreation therapy sector are expected to maintain professional membership.
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:
- Lethbridge Polytechnic, NorQuest College, University of Lethbridge and CTRS applicants will be streamlined.
- Out of Province applicants, Return to Practice applicants or applicants from other post-secondary institutions should anticipate 30-60 days*
*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.
Please visit the CTRA website: Membership Levels – CTRA – Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association
Please visit the CTRA website: Membership Levels – CTRA – Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association
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 Membership.
Apply for ATRA's Advanced Education Bursary to offset additional costs incurred with furthering your formal education.
Professional 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.