Utah is one of the leading states to require licensure for Recreational Therapy. To ensure forward progress not only for the Recreational Therapy profession but for the protection of vulnerable populations served, other states are now working towards obtaining licensure, using Utah as a prime example.

A license is required to engage in the practice of recreational therapy in Utah. There are three classifications of licenses including Master Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (MTRS), Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS), or Therapeutic Recreation Technician (TRT). Each have different qualifications and levels of education and training.

Recreational Therapy Licensure Rules and Laws

Recreation Therapy Practice Act, 58-40 https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title58/Chapter40/58-40.html

Recreation Therapy Practice Act Rule, R156-40 https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/R156-40-101/Current%20Rules

There are currently 41 licensed MTRS - Master Therapeutic Recreation Specialists in Utah as of Aug 2021

Qualifications

A person who has qualified for an MTRS license has met the following requirements:

• complete an approved graduate degree;

• complete 4,000 qualifying hours of paid experience as: a licensed therapeutic recreation specialist if completed in the state; OR a certified therapeutic recreation specialist certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification if completed outside of the state; and

• pass an approved examination

Scope of Practice

A master therapeutic recreation specialist licensed may:

• practice recreational therapy as an employee of a hospital, clinic, agency, or other facility; in private practice; as a consultant

• supervise and train other licensees including TRS and TRT

There are currently 313 licensed TRS - Therapeutic Recreation Specialists in Utah as of Aug 2021

Qualifications

A person who has qualified for a TRS license has met the following requirements:

• complete an approved: bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy; OR bachelor's degree with an approved emphasis, option, or concentration in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy; OR graduate degree;

• complete an approved practicum; and

• pass an approved examination.

Scope of Practice

A therapeutic recreation specialist licensed:

• may practice recreational therapy as the employee of a hospital, clinic, agency, or other

facility;

• may not practice recreational therapy in private practice or as a consultant; and

• may supervise other licensees including TRT

There are currently 256 licensed TRT -Therapeutic Recreation Technicians in Utah as of Aug 2021

Qualifications

A person who has qualified for a TRT license has met the following requirements:

• have a high school diploma or GED equivalent;

• complete an approved: educational course in therapeutic recreation taught by a licensed master therapeutic recreation specialist; OR six semester hours or nine quarter hours in therapeutic recreation or recreational therapy from an accredited college or university;

• complete an approved practicum under the supervision of: a licensed master therapeutic recreation specialist; OR an on-site, full-time, employed therapeutic recreation specialist;

• pass an approved examination; and

• complete a minimum of two hours of training in suicide prevention via a course that the division designates as approved.

Scope of Practice

A therapeutic recreation technician may perform recreational therapy services if:

• under the supervision of a master therapeutic recreation specialist or a therapeutic recreation specialist employed full-time and on-site in the same hospital, clinic, or facility; or

• in consultation with a master therapeutic recreation specialist;

A therapeutic recreation technician:

• may maintain the ongoing documentation of services provided in accordance with a treatment or intervention plan if:

under the supervision of either a master therapeutic recreation specialist or a therapeutic recreation specialist employed full-time and on-site in the same hospital, clinic, or facility; OR in consultation with a master therapeutic recreation specialist;

• may perform the portion of an assessment described in Subsection 58-40-102(2)(a)(i);

• may not perform the portion of an assessment described in Subsection 58-40-102(2)(a)(ii);

• may not prescribe or create a treatment or intervention plan; and

• may not approve or cosign a modification to a treatment or intervention plan.