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The Utah Administrative Code is the body of all effective administrative rules as compiled and organized by the Division of Administrative Rules (Subsection 63G-3-102(5); see also Sections 63G-3-701 and 702).

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Rule R156-40. Recreational Therapy Practice Act Rule.

As in effect on May 1, 2009

Table of Contents

R156-40-101. Title.

This rule is known as the "Recreational Therapy Practice Act Rule".

R156-40-102. Definitions.

In addition to the definitions in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 40, as used in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 40 or this rule:

(1) "Approved graduate degree in recreation therapy or a graduate degree with an approved emphasis in recreation therapy", as used in Subsection 58-40-5(1)(a)(i), means an earned graduate degree which includes a minimum of nine semester hours or 12 quarter hours of upper division or graduate level course work in recreation therapy.

(2) "CTRS" means a person certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

(3) "Full-time, on-site", as used in Subsections 58-40-5(3)(c), 58-40-6(3)(a)(i) and (3)(b)(i), means an individual who is employed on the premises with the hiring agency for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

(4) "Maintain the on-going documentation", as used in Subsection 58-40-6(3)(b), means:

(a) collecting data for the assessment process;

(b) documenting the on-going treatment or intervention provided to clients according to the treatment plan; and

(c) providing periodic review of client status according to agency regulations.

(5) "MTRS" means a person licensed as a master therapeutic recreation specialist.

(6) "NCTRC" means the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

(7) "Supervision", as used in Subsections 58-40-5(3)(c), 58-40-6(1)(a), (2)(b), (3)(a)(i) and (3)(b)(i), means full-time, on-site oversight by a MTRS or TRS of the recreation therapy services offered.

(8) "Supervision of a temporary TRS", as used in Subsection R156-40-302e(d), means that the MTRS or TRS supervisor is responsible for the recreation therapy activities performed by the temporary TRS and will review and approve the treatment plans as well as any modifications to the treatment plans as evidenced by the signature of the MTRS or TRS in the treatment plan.

(9) "TRS" means a person licensed as a therapeutic recreation specialist.

(10) "TRT" means a person licensed as a therapeutic recreation technician.

(11) "Unprofessional conduct" is defined in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 40.

R156-40-103. Authority - Purpose.

This rule is adopted by the division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the division to administer Title 58, Chapter 40.

R156-40-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1.

The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1- 107.

R156-40-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education Requirements.

In accordance with Section 58-40-5, the educational requirements for licensure include:

(1) A MTRS applicant shall:

(a) have a current NCTRC certification as a CTRS or a current license as a TRS; and

(b) document completion of the education and 4000 hours of paid experience while nationally certified as a CTRS or licensed as a TRS.

(2) A TRS applicant shall:

(a) have a current NCTRC certification as a CTRS; and

(b) document completion of the education and practicum requirements for licensure as a TRS.

(3) A TRT applicant shall:

(a) have an approved educational course in therapeutic recreation taught by a MTRS, as required by Subsection 58-40-5(3)(b)(i), which shall consist of 90 hours of structured education under the instruction and direction of a licensed MTRS, or if completed out of state, under the direction of a nationally certified CTRS, which includes:

(i) theories and concepts of recreation therapy;

(ii) the therapeutic recreation process;

(iii) characteristics of illness and disability and their effects on leisure;

(iv) medical and psychiatric terminology including psychiatric, pharmacology and abbreviations;

(v) ethics;

(vi) role and function of other health and human service professionals, including: agencies, medical specialists and allied health professionals; and

(vii) health and safety.

R156-40-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Experience Requirements.

In accordance with Section 58-40-5, the experience requirements for licensure include:

(1) A MTRS is required to complete 4000 hours of paid experience, as required by Subsection 58-40- 5(1)(a)(ii), which means an individual must work as a TRS in Utah in a paid position practicing recreation therapy and/or work outside of Utah as a CTRS in a paid position practicing recreation therapy as defined in Subsection 58-40-2(4)(a) and (b) for 4000 hours.

(2) A TRS is required to complete an approved practicum, as required by Subsection 58-40-5(2)(b), which means a practicum verified on the degree transcript.

(3) A TRT is required to complete an approved practicum, as required by Subsection 58-40-5(3)(c), which means 125 hours of field work experience to be completed over a duration of not more than nine months under the direction of a licensed MTRS or TRS supervisor, that includes:

(a) a minimum of ten hours of face to face supervision by the MTRS or TRS supervisor;

(b) training in the therapeutic recreation process as defined in Subsections 58-40-2(4)(a) and (b);

(c) interdisciplinary contact;

(d) administration contact; and

(e) community relations.

R156-40-302c. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements.

In accordance with Subsections 58-40-5(1)(e), 58-40-5(2)(f) and 58-40-5(3)(g), applicants for licensure shall pass the following examinations:

(1) Applicants for licensure as a MTRS or TRS shall pass the NCTRC certification examination as evidenced by a current NCTRC certification as a CTRS.

(2) Applicants for licensure as a TRT shall pass the Utah Recreation Therapy Theory Examination for TRT with a minimum passing score of 70%.

R156-40-302d. Time Limitation for TRT applicants.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-40-5(3) and Sections R156-40-302a, R156-40-302b and R156-40- 302c, a TRT applicant shall pass the examination and apply for licensure after completion of the 125 practicum hours required under Subsection R156-40-302b(3) and must do so within the same nine month period referred to in that Subsection.

(2) A TRT applicant who does not complete the education, practicum and examination within nine months is not eligible to be employed as a TRT in a therapeutic recreation department.

(3) A TRT student who does not seek licensure within two years after completion of the education course shall retake the education, practicum and pass the examination prior to applying for licensure.

R156-40-302e. Qualifications for Supervision.

"Supervision of a therapeutic recreation technician", as used in Subsection 58-40-6(3)(a)(i) and (3)(b)(i), means that the MTRS or TRS supervisor is responsible for:

(1) providing on-site training, observation, direction and evaluation, as defined in Subsection 58- 40-2(4)(b), to include:

(a) reviewing the recreation therapy intervention performed by the TRT as defined by the treatment plan;

(b) demonstrating periodic review and evaluation of ongoing documentation;

(c) reviewing the recreation therapy program according to administrative and governing regulations; and

(d) reviewing and evaluating adherence to the standards of the profession.

R156-40-302f. Qualifications for Temporary License as a TRS - Supervision Required.

(1) In accordance with Section 58-1-303, an applicant for temporary licensure as a TRS shall:

(a) submit an application for temporary license in the form prescribed by the division which includes a verification that the applicant has registered and been approved to take the next available NCTRC examination;

(b) pay a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;

(c) meet all the requirements for licensure, except passing the NCTRC examination; and

(d) practice recreation therapy under the supervision of a Utah licensed TRS or MTRS as defined in Subsection R156-40-102(8).

(2) The temporary license will not be issued for a period greater than ten months.

(3) The temporary license will not be renewed or extended for any purpose.

R156-40-303. Renewal Cycle - Procedures.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-1-308(1), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle applicable to licenses under Title 58, Chapter 40 is established by rule in Section R156-1-308.

(2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-308.

KEY

licensing, recreational therapy, recreation therapy

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment

December 22, 2008

Notice of Continuation

September 19, 2006

Authorizing, Implemented, or Interpreted Law

58-40-1; 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a)

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For questions regarding the content or application of rules under Title R156, please contact the promulgating agency (Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing). A list of agencies with links to their homepages is available at http://www.utah.gov/government/agencylist.html or from http://www.rules.utah.gov/contact/agencycontacts.htm.

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is not able to answer questions about the content or application of these rules.

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