Public policy & legislative issues may affect professional practice and clients receiving recreational therapy services.
Recreational therapy, or therapeutic recreation, is a healthcare profession carried out by trained providers who use recreational activities to help improve or maintain an individual’s cognitive, emotional, social, or physical functioning. People who receive recreational therapy are often ill, disabled, or elderly. The therapist provides adapted recreation opportunities in order to help the patients develop independent living skills and improve their quality of life. Recreational Therapists provide treatment in healthcare facilities in New Jersey including but not limited to VA hospitals, State psychiatric hospitals, pediatric health care facilities, inpatient acute and sub-acute rehabilitation centers, long term care facilities and nursing homes, and substance abuse programs.
Since recreational therapists are not a licensed profession in this state, current regulations prevent them from providing services on child study teams in schools.
When Recreational Therapists are licensed, they will be able to practice in New Jersey schools. Recreational therapists would be able to provide services in schools as a related service, pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Recreational Therapists work with vulnerable children and adults in facilities and are expected to have extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, psychology, human development, CPR, and more. These professionals are tasked with completing assessments, creating treatment plans, and working independently with individuals with complex medical conditions in a hospital or in the community. Many of these therapists facilitate field trips for medically-complex patients in the community, oftentimes driving vehicles to transport patients on these trips; this requires professional skills and knowledge about medical conditions, CPR, crisis management, and safety.
National Certification
Qualified recreational therapists hold a national certification through the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) which requires a bachelor’s or Master’s degree, completion of clinical training, and passing of its certification exam. These certified individuals are required to complete continuing education and renew certifications annually. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 490 recreational therapists in New Jersey. However there are 354 certified recreational therapists in the state, leaving 136 unregulated and unqualified practitioners providing services. Individuals without an appropriate education, clinical training, and continuing education requirements place vulnerable New Jersey residents at risk for harm. Additionally, these residents are also at a disadvantage if the services they receive are not provided by qualified individuals and they lose an opportunity for high quality, evidence-based care.
Licensure Bill has Passed in the State of New Jersey:
Thank you to our sponsors:
Conaway, Herb, Jr. as Primary Sponsor
Murphy, Carol A. as Primary Sponsor
Jimenez, Angelica M. as Primary Sponsor
Singleton, Troy as Primary Sponsor
Kennedy, James J. as Co-Sponsor
Cunningham, Sandra B. as Co-Sponsor
The Board of Creative Arts and Activities Therapies is in the process of being formed, and once the regulations have been written and approved all CTRS in New Jersey will be contacted about the process for obtaining licensure.
Licensure Bills in the Pennsylvania State Legislature:
Pending
