Policies and Procedures
Eligibility
Application Procedure
Maintaining Registration
Reapplication Requirements
Registration Appeals
Registration Fees
The American Horticultural Therapy Association recognizes and registers horticultural therapists through a voluntary professional registration program. This is a peer review system that is intended to promote basic professional competencies based on academic and professional training. Those approved for professional registration are conferred the credential HTR (Horticultural Therapist Registered).
A baccalaureate degree in horticultural therapy or an equivalent degree is the basic requirement for professional registration. Curriculum includes coursework in human sciences, horticulture, and horticultural therapy. In addition, a 480 hour supervised internship is required. Internships provide a practical application of horticultural therapy where students learn how to assess the needs of clients, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate and document clinical changes.
Review of Applications
Applications for all registrants are reviewed and evaluated by the Registration Review Board. This Board is composed of six members who evaluate each application based on academic and internship requirements. After evaluation, each reviewer accepts or rejects the application. All recommendations are compiled by the Review Team Leader and recorded on a summary action sheet that is forwarded to the AHTA national office. The office will notify the applicant by letter of the review board’s decision and include a copy of the summary action sheet.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for and be granted professional registration status, one must be a member of AHTA at the Individual level. Once approved for registration an individual must thereafter renew their membership annually at the Professional level to maintain registration status.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit to AHTA an original notarized application form, the application fee, supporting sealed transcripts, and all other verifying information requested. (Please send copies of HT certificates and supporting documents, AHTA will not return originals.) In addition, a copy of the original application and verifying documents must be mailed to each of the 5 Registration Reviewers and to the Review Team Leader. (A student copy of transcripts can be copied for the review team packets.) A list of reviewers is included in the application packet. Prior to mailing applications please contact the AHTA office to confirm accuracy of mailing addresses.
Note: Applications must be typed and fully completed. If all required materials are not submitted, the application will be rejected and the summary report noting the missing documentation will be sent to the applicant.
Maintaining Registration
An individual must renew their AHTA membership annually at the Professional level to maintain registration status. After three months of a lapsed membership, a registrant must pay a late charge in addition to their annual membership dues to be reinstated service (see fees outlined below). After two years of a lapsed membership, a registrant will be required to reapply for registration status.
Reapplication Requirements
Applicants that have been denied registration because they did not meet minimum standards have one year from the date of notfication to attain those standards and reapply. There is a processing fee for this service (see fees outlined below). The AHTA national office and review team leader will keep the original application on file. Therefore, individuals who reapply need only to submit an addendum to their original application, to the AHTA national office and the review team leader. The addendum must include all additional requirements with documents. The Review Team Leader has the authority to accept or reject the reapplication, based on prior recommendations of the Review Board.
Registration Appeals
Applicants may appeal a decision of the Registration Review Board by filing a written appeal within thirty (30) days of notification of their decision. Appeals should state the reason for the appeal and any other pertinent information. The AHTA Executive Committee, serving as the Registration Appeals Board, will consider appeals. Applicants filing an appeal will be advised when an appeal review has been scheduled.
Should the Appeals Board decide that there are grounds for an appeal, the application will be resubmitted to the Review Board for reconsideration. Any decision made by the Review Board at that time will stand. The appellant will be provided with a report detailing the Review Board’s decision.
Written appeals should be sent to:
AHTA
Registration Appeals Board
150 South Warner Road
Suite 156
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Registration Fees
Registration fees are due and payable to AHTA upon application, and are non-refundable.
Registration Application Fee: $150
Reapplication (within one year): $35
Late charge (for reinstatement): $75
Mail to:
AHTA
150 South Warner Road
Suite 156
King of Prussia, PA 19406
