Updates from our November

Licensure Town Hall

Licensure Town Hall: Session Replay

Recorded: November 12, 2025

This video is a recording of our November Licensure Town Hall session, where we walked through the licensure process, shared updates on where we are in the provincial review, and outlined the steps still ahead. We encourage members to watch the recording to stay informed about the progress to date, understand the considerations shaping our approach, and remain connected to the ongoing work to advance licensure for our profession.

POST Town HALL Q&A

December 2025

Following our Licensure Town Hall, we’ve compiled the most common questions members asked, along with clear, detailed answers. To keep things easy to navigate, each question can be expanded, simply click on the question to view the full response. We encourage you to explore the Q&A to deepen your understanding of the licensure process and stay informed about next steps for the profession.

We need to be there now. Not reaching that amount may delay approval and implementation of regulation for Recreation Therapists. The best way for us to reach this number is to increase our CTRS members as $75 from each membership goes directly to the college fund.

Yes, there will in fact be a requirement for all Licensed Recreation Therapists. This is to ensure additional protection for the public and is a new standard for all Regulated Health Professions under the New Regulated Health Professions Act.

Yes! We anticipate coverage will be provided for private insurance and we expect billing insurance will be more streamlined when are regulated.

We are proposing that NCTRC continue to maintain the process of verifying continuing education units are completed when renewing your CTRS credential. Continuing education opportunities will continue to be offered from NSTRA.

There is the option to donate, however NSTRA does not have a charitable donation number nor have any plans to apply for charitable donation status which is a rigorous process with Canada Revenue Agency. Membership fees can be claimed on income tax each year.

Someone with the CTRS credential (who would be a licensed Recreation Therapist) would still be able to hold a TA position. As with any job they would be required to only perform duties within that scope of employment regardless of their qualifications/competencies.
It is important to note that once we are regulated you will need to be a Licensed Recreation Therapist to apply for a Recreation Therapist position. You will need to have obtained that license before applying as this process can take several weeks to complete. We have received questions from individuals currently working in TA positions that were under the assumption they could complete the application process for self-regulation as a Licensed Recreation Therapist after they are hired for a Recreation Therapist position, however it will be required to provide proof of license before accepting a Recreation Therapist position.

Our interpretation of the Collective agreements for the Health Care bargaining unit is yes, the Licensed Recreation Therapist would qualify. We have heard that the Health Care bargaining units are currently looking into preceptors’ premiums for non-regulated health professionals. NSTRA is preparing a letter for members to send to their union reps regarding this issue.

There will be no legacy clause (grandfathering). Part of the application process will be proof of the CTRS credential in good standing with NCTRC.

NSTRA is working on a few different fundraising initiatives for all work related to NSTRA- which includes the pursuit of licensure. We will have more information on these initiatives as they become available. The best way to help us grow the college fund is to have more members join. The most efficient way for you to have an impact on the college fund is to encourage your friends/colleagues to be members of NSTRA.

The inclusion of our scope of practice into the submission means that anyone working within the defined scope in the legislation will need to be a Licensed Recreation Therapist. This will mean that regardless of the job title, if they work within that defined scope, they will need to be a Licensed Recreation Therapist.

No. In fact, we anticipate there will be many applicants from across Canada.