Credentialing Application Overview
This summarizes the criteria that applicants must satisfy to earn the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) credentials. The criteria are designed to ensure a well-rounded education and training in play therapy.
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APPLICATION CRITERIA
RPT
RPT-S
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License:
Current, active, and unconditional individual state license to independently provide clinical mental health services.
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Educational Degrees:
Master’s or higher mental health degree with demonstrated coursework in child development, theories of personality, principles of psychotherapy, child & adolescent psychopathology, and ethics. APT will preview your transcripts for a fee.
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Clinical Experience:
Two (2) years and 2,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health experience (postgraduate direct client contact hours) required by state licensure.
plus
An additional three (3) years and 3,000 direct client contact hours of clinical experience after initial full licensure.
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Play Therapy Training:
150 hours of play therapy specific instruction from institutions of higher education or APT Approved Providers (limit 50 non-contact hours).
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Supervised Play Therapy Experience & Supervision:
500 direct client contact hours under supervision and 50 hours of simultaneous play therapy supervision.
Hours accrued beginning January 1, 2020 towards this requirement must be under the supervision of an RPT-S.
plus
An additional 500 direct client contact hours of play therapy experience.
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Supervisor Training:
30 CE hours of clinical supervisor training is required. Six (6) hours must be play therapy specific and 24 hours may be either specific or non-specific to play therapy. See the Credentialing Guide for further information.
These hours may be contact or non-contact hours.
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Renewal Criteria:
Annual: Current and active individual state license to independently provide clinical mental health services.
CE Cycle: 18 hours of play therapy specific instruction from institutions of higher education or APT Approved Providers every 36 months.
Annual: Current and active individual state license to independently provide clinical mental health services.
CE Cycle: 18 hours of play therapy specific instruction from institutions of higher education or APT Approved Providers PLUS six (6) hours of supervisor training every 36 months.
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Online Address to Application: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/credentials/rpts_applic_fill_sept_2018_l.pdf