In this section, the Association for Play Therapy (APT) APT describes the criteria by which licensed mental health professionals might demonstrate and promote their specialized play therapy knowledge and training by earning these credentials*:
Registered Play Therapists (RPT) and Registered Play Therapists-Supervisors (RPT-S) are state licensed or certified practitioners who have satisfied the criteria described in the RPT/S Guide. To review the criteria or complete the application, click on the applicable option below:
RPT/S Guide (PDF)
RPT/S Application - Printable SmartDOC Form (type ON SCREEN, then print and sign)
Registered Play Therapists (RPT) and Registered Play Therapists-Supervisors (RPT-S) must annually renew their credentials by March 31. If concluding your three-year cycle, be prepared to post information regarding the 36 continuing education hours that you have earned. Those who do not renew by that date will be reclassified as "inactive" and not displayed thereafter in our online Find Play Therapists Directory. Click on the option below by which you wish to renew your RPT/S credential:
RPT/S Renewal - Online (members only)
RPT/S Renewal - Printable SmartDOC Form (members/non-members; type ON SCREEN, then print and sign)
Online directory to identify those offering play therapy supervision.
To learn which states restrict public display of the RPT/S acronyms to "physical therapists", click on this link:
Protected Physical Therapist Acronyms
Congrats new Registered Play Therapists & Supervisors (PDF)!
Inactive Registered Play Therapists & Supervisors (PDF)
* The Association for Play Therapy (APT) confers the designation of Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) to individuals who have provided APT with documentation that they have a) a mental health graduate or higher degree; b) been licensed by the applicable state licensing or certification authority; c) completed a minimum number of hours of general clinical experience and supervision; d) completed a minimum number of hours of play therapy training and supervision; and e) completed the requisite continuing education hours. The designation as a RPT or RPT-S does not certify, imply, or affirm the knowledge or competency of such individual but only confirms that the education and training requirements identified herein have been satisfied.