Trek to Clarity

Understanding the Whys of the PATH Intl. CTRI® Processes and Development

August 22, 2024

This communication series is intended to bring clarity to the PATH Intl. CTRI® certification program by providing background and context for the certification requirements. Each communication in the series will address a different topic related to one or more of the CTRI certification requirements and will cover many frequently asked questions. 

Today’s topic: Once year-round testing is implemented, what will the application deadlines be and how long will it take to test?

Year-round testing means applications can also be submitted year-round. While there will no longer be set application deadlines, when mapping out their certification timeline, applicants should expect:

• 60 days from the date of their application submission to receive notification of whether their application has been approved.
• a minimum of 72 business hours between receiving their application approval and registering for an exam appointment. Approved applications are accompanied by an invoice for the CTRI certification exam fee. The exam fee must be paid before an Authorization to Test letter will be issued. Processing of exam fees and enrollment with PearsonVUE typically takes 24 business hours following receipt of payment. Issuance of an Authorization to Test letter with information to register for the exam takes place within 48 business hours after that.
• The earliest available exam appointments will be two to four weeks from the date of exam registration.
• a minimum of 90 days between the date of their application submission and the date they sit for the CTRI exam
• All of the above time frames will apply to initial application AND subsequent reapplications. All applications received, even if they include previously submitted documentation, are reviewed in detail to ensure quality assurance of the application review process.

EXAMPLE TIMELINE: 

1) Application submitted: October 17, 2024

2) Notification of application approval: December 16, 2024

3) Date of exam fee payment: December 17, 2024

4) Issuance of Authorization to Test letter: December 19, 2024

5) Date of exam appointment: January 2, 2025, or later

Tips to support a smooth application review and minimize the certification timeline:

• The applicant and anyone signing off on their application paperwork should review the supervising instructor qualifications checklist to ensure that all sign-offs comply with the specified parameters.
• All activity descriptions should provide enough detail to allow application reviewers to determine if the activity fulfills the pertinent requirements. (Refer to the example descriptions in the application submission instructions of the CTRI candidate handbook.)
• The “RIDING PARTICIPANT FILMING RELEASE” and “RIDING PARTICIPANT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT” for part III must be fully completed—including all check boxes. Videos CANNOT be reviewed if the release and waiver agreements are incomplete.
• Applicants should triple check their application paperwork to make sure every signature line has a signature, every date line/field has a date in month/day/year format and every checkbox is checked. Any missing information requires follow-up by PATH Intl. BEFORE official review of the application can commence, which will equate to a lengthier review period.
• Applicants needing reasonable accommodations for the certification exam should submit an accommodation request with their original application materials so the 60 day review period of their request can coincide with the 60 day review period of their application materials.
• Applicants should know how to access their certification status information and invoices via their online portal to track the progress of their application review and to be prepared to promptly pay the exam fee.

Questions? Contact Bret Maceyak, Director of Credentialing.

Are you a current CTRI who has completed 120 hours of teaching therapeutic riding lessons since earning your CTRI credential? Document those hours using this form and send it to PATH Intl. so that you can be marked as “Eligible to Supervise CTRI Applicants” in the PATH Intl. Certified Professional online directory.