Keeping PATH Intl. members updated about the accreditation of the PATH Intl. Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor  Certification
It's Pilot Season at PATH Intl.
February 4, 2019
As PATH Intl. works toward implementing the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor credential, there are three separate pilots that will be running over the next several months to ensure smooth functioning of the certification program processes to be launched July 1, 2019. Keep an eye on upcoming PATH Intl. eNews and Trek to Accrediting the PATH Intl. CTRI newsletters for additional information and reminders about these pilots and how you might participate.

The three pilots are:

Certification Exam Pilot
As one of the final steps in validating the design of the certification exam, Professional Testing Inc. will be conducting randomized trials of the certification exam questions. The purpose of the trial exams is to confirm that the exam questions perform to expectations and to determine an appropriate cut score (passing score). For security of the exam questions, the trial exams will be offered in written pen and pencil format, administered by a Professional Testing Inc. consultant. Participation will count for 2.5 Riding CR or 2.5 CE continuing education credits.  The initial* trial open to PATH Intl. members (certified or not) will be offered at the PATH Intl. Region 3 conference, March 29th, 2019, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please contact Bret Maceyak directly to sign up for this trial.

*Dependent on amount and quality of the data/feedback captured, additional trials may be arranged.

CTRI Application Paperwork Pilot
Starting March 1st, PATH Intl. will be looking for volunteer test subjects/instructors to submit mock paperwork to help test the functionality of the CTRI application paperwork.** Only the paperwork will be piloted; video submissions will NOT be a part of this pilot.

Current instructors can earn 1 CEU of general continuing education (CE) for each mock application they submit, with a limit of 5. The finalized application paperwork will be released by the credentialing council in February in anticipation of this pilot. The paperwork should be filled out with plausible information based on the instructors own past or present experience. The paperwork will NOT be formally judged and therefore will not impact the status of any certification(s) held -- past, present or future. The forms submitted will only be reviewed to make sure they successfully capture the information they are intended to.

**The CTRI application paperwork (including the instruction of riding skills and communication video) does NOT need to be completed in order to transition credentials or maintain certification.

CTRI Certification Maintenance Process Pilot
Beginning April 1st, current PATH Intl. Certified Registered, Advanced and Master Therapeutic Riding Instructors may participate in the pilot of the certification maintenance process to transition their therapeutic riding instructor credentials to the PATH Intl. CTRI credential. This pilot will help to establish a pool of professionals holding the PATH Intl. CTRI credential who can then sign off on PATH Intl. CTRI candidate application paperwork. The necessary documentation form will be released on April 1st for those members who are interested in transitioning their credentials. The new documentation form will take the place of the traditional instructor compliance form.

As a reminder, the requirements of the PATH Intl. CTRI certification maintenance process are as follows:
1) Submit 20 hours of continuing education satisfying the following requirements:
  • 12 hours of disability education (DE) - defined as educational activities that provide the student with greater understanding of the physical, social, cognitive and/or behavioral impacts experienced by individuals with disabilities, mental health disorders or emotional trauma. The education received should help the instructor understand how to communicate with and more effectively instruct a wide range of EAAT participants in order to increase the efficacy of the learning environment.
     
  • 4 hours of general continuing education (CE) - should reflect the overall purpose of all continuing education and the pursuit of professional development. These hours should encourage self-reflection, enhance instructor skills and techniques, and expand knowledge of EAAT, equine management and welfare.
     
  • 4 hours of core requirements (CR) - includes receiving personal riding lessons, coaching (or receiving coaching from) another PATH Intl. Certified Professional, attending a formal education event with an emphasis on instruction/teaching techniques, mentoring an Instructor-in-Training (only if the mentor has taken the PATH Intl. Mentor Training Course).
2) Achieve a passing score on an online exam from the comfort of your own home (NOTE: this is NOT the same exam as the PATH Intl. CTRI certification exam; estimated time to complete is roughly 45 minutes). This unproctored exam is meant to serve as a refresher/review of critical knowledge, such as but not limited to: safety awareness, PATH Intl. mandatory standards, precautions and contraindications, lesson planning concepts, task analysis, measurable objectives and riding theory. A fee will apply if the exam must be retaken.

3) Agree to uphold the PATH Intl. Certified Professional Code of Ethics.

4) Possess  current adult and  child CPR and basic first aid certifications.

5) Submit the certification maintenance fee of $75 (for members) or $95 (for non-members).

Please contact Bret Maceyak with any questions about these pilots.

What's next?
Watch for tips for mentors to help guide candidates through selecting their pathway and updated FAQs about the certification maintenance process.
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