California § 17505.2 - It is unlawful for a person to represent himself or herself as a recreation thera

§ 17505.2. It is unlawful for a person to represent himself or herself as a recreation thera

(a) It is unlawful for a person to represent himself or herself as a recreation therapist, to represent the services he or she performs as recreation therapy, or to use terms set forth in subdivision (c) in connection with his or her services, name, or place of business, unless he or she meets all of the following requirements: (1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in recreation therapy or in recreation and leisure studies with a specialization in recreation therapy. Alternatively, a person who does not have one of the preceding degrees may qualify if he or she has a baccalaureate degree in a specialization acceptable for certification or eligible for certification by any accrediting body specified in paragraph (2). (2) Current certification or eligibility for certification as a recreation therapist by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification or by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Inc. (b) No person shall represent himself or herself as a recreation therapist assistant, or represent the services he or she performs as being in any way related to recreation therapy, unless he or she at a minimum has current certification, or has eligibility for certification, by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification or by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Inc., as a recreation therapist assistant. (c) A person who does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a) or (b) may not use any of the following words or abbreviations in connection with his or her services, name, or place of business: (1) Recreation therapist registered. (2) Recreation therapist certified. (3) Certified therapeutic recreation specialist. (4) Recreation therapist. (5) Recreation therapist assistant registered. (6) Certified therapeutic recreation assistant. (7) RTR. (8) RTC. (9) CTRS. (10) RT. (11) RTAR. (12) CTRA. (d) For purposes of subdivision (c), the abbreviation RT shall not be construed to include rehabilitation therapist or respiratory therapist. (e) Any person injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action and may recover one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for the first violation and two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each subsequent violation. This is the sole remedy for a violation of this section.