Beauty, Fitness & Personal Care training

Recreational Therapist Training

Learn what recreational therapists do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Enroll nowView syllabus
What you’ll learn in Recreational Therapist training

A practical, general introduction to the recreational therapist job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as adapt an activity for a patient and lead a therapeutic group, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 12 hours, $109.99.

  • Tuition
    $109.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    12 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a recreational therapist does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential recreational therapist terms correctly
  • Walk through adapt an activity for a patient, lead a therapeutic group, and plan a community outing step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 12 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Recreational Therapist Role1 hr
  • What recreational therapists do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job45 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Recreational Therapist Vocabulary1 hr 10 min
  • Key term: CTRS
  • Key term: Therapeutic recreation
  • Key term: Adaptive equipment
  • Key term: Leisure education
  • Key term: Treatment plan
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities1 hr 10 min
  • Assess patients’ needs and interests
  • Plan therapeutic recreation programs
  • Lead individual and group activities
  • Adapt activities for abilities
  • Track progress toward goals
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step2 hr 40 min
  • How to adapt an activity for a patient
  • How to lead a therapeutic group
  • How to plan a community outing
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology1 hr
  • Adaptive sports equipment
  • Art and music supplies
  • Games
  • Electronic health records
  • Assessment tools
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr 25 min
  • Assess fall risk and medical needs
  • Use adaptive equipment correctly
  • Plan outings with safety and accessibility in mind
  • Follow infection control
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For1 hr
  • Therapeutic assessment
  • Activity adaptation
  • Group facilitation
  • Creativity
  • Empathy
MODULE 09Launching Your Recreational Therapist Career1 hr
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
  • Credential overview: State license
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check1 hr
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the recreational therapist job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new recreational therapist.

Pricing

$109.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Recreational therapists plan and lead activities such as games, arts, sports and outings to help people with illnesses or disabilities improve their health and quality of life. BLS reports a median wage of $61,960 (May 2025) and about 1,400 openings per year. Read the full recreational therapist career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Recreational Therapist Training

Fill this out and press the button: your email app will open with a pre-filled message to our enrollment team (info@hazwoper-osha.com). We reply with a payment link or invoice and your learning-platform login. Nothing you type is stored on this website.

Course Recreational Therapist Training · 12 hours · $109.99 per learner

We currently serve U.S. residents only.
Got a code from your school, college, employer or organization? Enter it to save 10%.

Prefer to call? 1-866-429-6742 · Email info@hazwoper-osha.com

Your email app should now be open with your request. Just press send. If nothing opened, copy the message below and email it to info@hazwoper-osha.com (cc hasan@hazwoper-osha.com).





Recreational Therapist training FAQ
How long is the Recreational Therapist training?
About 12 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Recreational Therapist training cost?
$109.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified recreational therapist?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. A few states license recreational therapists; many employers require the CTRS credential. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding recreational therapists.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


Enroll nowFree practice test