Credentialing Application Overview

This chart summarizes the criteria that applicants must satisfy to earn the BC Registered Play Therapist (BCRPT) and

BC Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (BCRPT-S) credentials.

CRITERIA BCRPT and BCRPT-S

Criteria / BCRPT (British Columbia Registered Play
Therapist) / BCRPT-S (British Columbia Registered Play
Therapist - Supervisor)
Education / Master’s or higher mental health or medical degree with demonstrated coursework in child development, theories of personality, principles of psychotherapy, child & adolescent psychopathology, and ethics. These core courses could have been completed at the under-graduate or graduate level. / Same as BCRPT
Clinical Experience / Must complete 2000 direct hours of supervised general clinical not more than 1000 hours of which may be acquired prior to a Master’s or Medical degree.
At least 500 of these hours must be supervised practice specific to play therapy. These hours need not be completed while under the supervision of a formal CACPT supervisor (CPT-S), an APT supervisor (RPT-S) or a BCPTA supervisor (BCRPT-S) but may be supervised by a Play Therapy specific supervisor. These hours must be completed AFTER the applicant has graduated with a Master’s or Medical degree. / Same as BCRPT
• plus an additional 2 years (2000 hours) of supervisory experience after getting BCRPT.
200 of these hours must be supervised by a CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S.
Play Therapy Training / 180 hours of play therapy specific instruction from institutions of higher education or BCPTA-approved providers in the following areas:
1.Play Therapy History and Basic Play Therapy – 40-60 hours
2. Play Therapy Theories - 40-60 hours.
3. Play Therapy Techniques or Methods - 40-60 hours.
4. Play Therapy Applications – 40-60 hours.
The applicant is required to take and pass an exam for one course in each of the above areas (a total of 4 exams). / Obtain a minimum of 14 hours of “supervisor training” provided by a BCPTA approved training program, but does not need to be provided by a Play Therapy supervisor. This training can relate to the general practice of providing effective/ethical clinical supervision and does not need to pertain specifically to play therapy.
Supervised Play Therapy Training and Experience / Must have 60 hours of play therapy specific supervision supervised by a CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S. At least 10 hours of this supervision must be by the same RPT-S, CPT-S or BCRPT-S.
10 hours of supervision must be direct supervision by CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S, either in session or through video sessions.
Up to 20 hours can be group supervision supervised by an RPT-S, CPT-S or BCRPT-S with the group being no larger than 6. / • 10 hours of direct supervision (in session or video tapes) by a CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S.
• This supervision may include a combination of individual (1 or 2 people) or group supervision (3 to a maximum of 10 in a group) and must be conducted by a formal Play Therapy Supervisor, CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S. Written verification of these hours must be provided by the supervisor or supervisors, and
Submission of Essay / Must submit a 500 - 550 word essay describing your theoretical orientation, talk about the approach that you see yourself using and how you apply to this your theoretical orientation. Provide a case example. Please insure client confidentiality.
References / Three letters of reference are required:
- One from the RPT-S, CPT-S or BCRPT-S who supervised your work
- One from a clinical supervisor who supervised your work
- One from a colleague who is familiar with your work as a play therapist. / - Must submit two (2) references from supervisors who have witnessed the applicant’s clinical practice with play therapy. At least one (1) reference must be from a CPT-S, RPT-S or BCRPT-S. In addition to these two letters of reference, all hours of clinical practice and supervision will be verified in writing.
- Submit two references from individuals the applicant has supervised in a clinical capacity. At least one of these references must relate specifically to supervision in the area of play therapy
Other / Applicant must show that s/he is a member in good standing with a College or a BCPTA approved registering body. / Same as BCPTA and
- Must show status as a member-in-good standing with BCPTA,
- Must have achieved certification as a Certified/registered Play Therapist RPT. CPT, or BCRPT.
Renewal Criteria / 30 hours of play therapy specific continuing education as a learner or an instructor/presenter every 3 years in order to maintain certification with BCPTA
Applicant must show proof of being a member in good standing of a College or BCPTA approved registering body. / Supervisors are required to obtain 36 hours of continuing education over 3
years. This continuing education must play therapy specific from institutions of higher learning or APT, CACPT or BCPTA approved providers play therapy.
· Six hours of Supervision specific to Continuing Education training. This supervisor training does not need to be limited to Play Therapy Specific Supervisor Training.
Maintain membership in good standing with BCPTA approved regulatory body or a College