The origin of the Recreation Therapy profession dates back to the early 80s when the first meeting of certification was part of a national discussion.

Norma Stumbo, PH D was probably key in developing a study guide for the administration of the National exam given by athe National Council for Thetapeutic Recreation Certification now in New York.

Academic development was with Dr. Scout Gunn PhD and Macia Carter, PhD and many others

My memory is that Dr.Peg Connelly PhD and later a Bob Rilely, PhD were very involved in promoting and developing the exam an making changes to the credentialing process. Adding a staff for credentialing and having clear discussion on the job analysis http://nctrc.org/about-certification/national-job-analysis/

I believe, a national testing service ETS was to review the exam before it was administered andDr. Stumbo released a study guide later for the exam. Additionally individuals like Alice Burlingame were very involved in assessment development with https://www.idyllarbor.com/. I known Alice for years and she has sold the business.

Additionally Dr. Connie,Nall, and myself worked with Leisure Scope.a developed tool for leisure assessment. Jean Forthworth, PhD then at Central Michigan University, and I had many discussion on this including Dr. Marsha Cater at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

The exam and through careful developed and determining of the questions and submitting to a national testing service was critical. Some of the concern included accommodation for the exam for individuals with disabilities. I remember Dr. Nancy Navar was also involved in this discussion. Dr. Navar is now retired from the University of Wisconsin at La