BCTRA has four categories of membership: Professional, Student, Supporter and Member on Leave of Absence.
Find the membership that fits you best below.
Professional & Professional Retired Membership
For those who are new graduates, currently practicing, teaching in the field, or retired and who meet academic requirements.
Recreation Therapists who held valid membership in BCTRA as of March 31, 2012 are recognized as Professional Members. Due to changes in the membership criteria and in order to maintain professional standing these members must keep their membership current by payment of membership dues by April 1 of each membership year.
Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation: A two-year diploma in therapeutic recreation from an educational institution recognized by the Board received on or before December 31st, 2008.
Degree in TR: A baccalaureate degree or higher from an approved, recognized college or university* with a major in therapeutic recreation or a major in recreation or leisure with an option in therapeutic recreation.
Only the following officially designated majors appearing on the transcript are accepted for Pathway 3:
(a) therapeutic recreation (recreation therapy)
(b) recreation or leisure with an option in therapeutic recreation
(c) therapeutic recreation in combination with other fields of study
*BCTRA will only accept transcripts from a college or university that is recognized and approved by the provincial government in the province where the post-secondary institution resides. In BC, the Degree Quality Assurance Board (DQAB) is the government body that completes these assessments.
A baccalaureate degree or higher from a recognized college or university in recreation administration or recreation and leisure studies or community rehabilitation or human kinetics and kinesiology; other related degrees may be individually reviewed
AND
the following Coursework OR a Two (2) Year Diploma in TR:
Coursework:
1. A minimum of six (6) 3 credit courses or equivalent of therapeutic recreation and general recreation content coursework. Of these 6 courses, a minimum of four (4) 3 credit courses must be in therapeutic recreation, preferably with “therapeutic recreation” in the title.
and
2. Supportive courses to include a total of six (6) 3 credit courses or equivalent with minimum of:
=> 3 credits in the content area of anatomy and physiology;
=> 3 credits in the content area of abnormal psychology;
=> 12 credits of coursework must be fulfilled in the content area of ‘human services’ as defined by NCTRC.
OR
Two Year Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation. **
**A diploma credential must consist of a minimum of 60 credits and typically be offered over a 2-year period.
Active CTRS: Must provide supporting documentation of active CTRS credential.
RETIRED
Retired Professional BCTRA members, who have worked in the field of therapeutic recreation and retire, are eligible for this category of membership.
Retired Professional members are eligible to sit on the board of directors and to vote at the AGM and are required to comply with the continuing education requirements for professional membership.
Members who request a Retired Professional membership will be required to provide documentation that they have formally retired from their job in the TR profession to the Director of Membership.
Open to all previous students who graduated from a TR degree program from the previous year. For example, for the 2022/2023 membership year, graduates of 2021 are eligible for this membership type.
This is a one-time only Membership type that applies after graduation and cannot be extended. Those who have graduated with a degree are eligible for a one-year membership that is half the cost of the Professional Membership. Transcripts must be submitted to verify eligibility.
Supporter Membership
For those who want to support and contribute to the mission and goals of BCTRA but do not meet the academic requirements for professional membership or are professional members living in a different province.
A Supporter member is interested in furthering the objectives of BCTRA and the Therapeutic Recreation profession, but is ineligible to be a Professional or Student member.
This category is also for an individual who is eligible to be a professional member but does not reside in B.C.
New Graduate
Open to all previous students who graduated with a qualification in TR, such as a 2-year diploma program, from the previous year. For example, for the 2022/2023 membership year, graduates of 2021 are eligible for this membership type.
This is a one-time only Membership type that applies after graduation and cannot be extended. Those who have graduated with a qualification in therapeutic recreation are eligible for a one-year membership that is half the cost of the Supporter Membership.
Transcripts must be submitted to verify eligibility.
Student Membership
For full or part time students enrolled in courses that lead to a credential in therapeutic recreation from a post-secondary educational institution recognized by the Board.
Open to individuals pursuing a credential in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation or Leisure Services at a post-secondary institution that is recognized by the Board. This is open to both full and part time students. Students are required to include the education institution they are attending and their student number at that institution.
MEMBER ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE
All members who are on a formal leave of absence from their employment can apply for a Member on Leave of Absence of up to two years, anything longer will require board approval.
To request a Leave of Absence please send an email to: