Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Registration
Must I have a degree in HT to become registered? No. You can attain registration status through an equivalency point system which awards points for employment in HT and related fields, volunteer work, and various educational and professional experiences. The Definitions and Points page explains the equivalency point system in more detail.
Can I combine non-degreed college coursework with my degree in a related field to achieve a degree that will be considered comparable to an HT degree? Yes. Many people combine semester hours from various colleges/universities over time to equal an HT degree. Read the Core Curriculum, (Part III of Definitions and Points ), which is used as a reference in determining whether your degree is related or unrelated under the equivalency system.
Must I complete an HT internship to qualify for professional registration? No, only if you are seeking a degree in HT is an internship of 1,000 hours mandatory. Otherwise, internships are entirely optional but encouraged.
Can I receive credit for HT volunteer work? Yes, but it must be volunteer work directly utilizing horticultural therapy with clients.
Must my job title be "Horticultural Therapist" to receive HT employment credit? No. If you utilize horticultural therapy with clients, you will receive point credit toward registration. Appropriate documentation is required. If this is on a part-time basis you will receive credit proportionate to the amount of time you spend using horticultural therapy.
What is meant by "professional activities"? AHTA work team and service, AHTA accredited workshops, related CEU programs, Botanical Garden classes, and publication are some of the experiences that are considered Professional Activities. Many of these are offered through AHTA and AHTA chapters. You may contact AHTA for information pertaining to work teams, service and local chapters.
How long does it take to process an application and render a decision? Usually 8-10 weeks.
If my request for registration status is denied, do I have the opportunity to reapply? Yes. If your request for registration is denied you will receive a letter detailing the reasons for denial. You will be told which requirements you did not meet to help you better prepare for registration in the future. At this time, there is no limit on the number of times an individual may apply for registration. Reapplication available to HTR applications only after October 1, 2007.
