Start Your Journey Toward Play Therapy Certification

Everything you need — from forms and FAQs to a clear path toward becoming a Certified Play Therapist.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Certified Play Therapist (CPT) or Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S).

Review the overview of the steps to CPT and CPT-S certification, frequently asked questions and all the forms required to complete for your certification process. For CPT certification review the detailed How to Complete Guide to help you through each step. All forms are provided as fillable PDFs for your convenience.

We strongly encourage you to read the How to Complete Guide before starting your application — it offers valuable instructions, helpful tips, and answers to many common questions.

  1. Hold a Master’s degree or be a licensed mental health professional (e.g., Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, psychologist, etc.) as recognized by provincial or national regulations in Canada
  2. Join CAPT and maintain membership in-good-standing throughout all years while enrolled as a Foundation Play Therapy student and Play Therapy Intern
  3. Complete 180 hours of Foundation Play Therapy training (through CAPT or a CAPT-approved provider)
  4. Accrue Clinical Experience:
    • 1,500 hours of general clinical practice
    • 500 hours of supervised play therapy practice
  5. Participate in 50 hours of supervision with a Certified Play Therapist – Supervisor
  6. Submit Your Application
    • References (supervisor + colleague)
    • Insurance and Vulnerable Sector Check
    • Fee: $300 + HST
  7. Review & Interview: Applicants may be asked to submit a recorded session to the committee for review or to participate in a live interview.
  8. Maintain Certification by completing 12 Continuing Education hours in play therapy annually along with CAPT membership

Resources & Support

  1. Hold your CPT Certification along with appropriate Master’s degree and be a licensed mental health professional (e.g., Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, psychologist, etc.) as recognized by provincial or national regulations in Canada
  2. Be a CAPT a member in-good-standing for 3 consecutive years as a CPT leading up to CPT-S application
  3. Complete 14 hours of supervisor training (through CAPT or a CAPT-approved provider)
  4. Accrue Clinical Experience:
    • 500 hours of play therapy clinical practice (accumulated over a 2-year period or longer) after becoming a CPT with CAPT
    • 50 hours of direct clinical supervision to supervisees after supervision training has been completed
  5. Participate in 10 hours of supervision with a Certified Play Therapist – Supervisor
  6. Submit Your Application
    • References (supervisor + supervisees)
    • Insurance and Vulnerable Sector Check
    • Fee: $300 + HST
  7. Review & Interview: Applicants may be asked to submit a recorded session to the committee for review or to participate in a live interview.
  8. Maintain Certification by completing 12 Continuing Education hours in play therapy each year, 6 Continuing Education hours specific to supervision every 3 years, along with annually renewed CAPT membership

Resources & Support

Resources & Support

Resources Hub

FAQs — Certification with CAPT

Play Therapy offers a developmentally sensitive and creative approach that helps clients—especially children—express emotions, explore experiences, and build coping skills in ways that words alone may not allow. While most often used with children, Play Therapy principles and techniques can also benefit teens, families, and even adults, supporting emotional growth, connection, and healing across age ranges.

Certification with CAPT demonstrates that you’ve met nationally recognized standards for professional Play Therapy practice in Canada. It assures clients, colleagues, and referral sources that you have completed rigorous, competency-based training, supervision, and clinical experience. Unlike some programs or organizations that offer “play therapy certification,” CAPT is a trusted, Canadian professional association—recognized for its ethical oversight, clinical integrity, and alignment with regulated mental health standards. Choosing CAPT certification ensures your credential reflects both quality and accountability in practice.

Applicants typically hold a relevant graduate-level degree (e.g., psychology, social work, counselling), are licensed to practice psychotherapy in their province/territory and meet CAPT’s criteria for supervised Play Therapy hours, training, and ethical practice. These requirements help maintain the integrity and quality of Play Therapy interventions.

The requirement for a prior relevant degree ensures that certified practitioners have foundational clinical knowledge and skills (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic relationship) on which to build specialised Play Therapy competencies.

Yes—Play Therapy training can be valuable even if you don’t plan to pursue full certification. Many practitioners integrate Play Therapy techniques into their existing work with children, youth, or families. Certification is optional, but the courses help deepen understanding and skill.

Training is required to be completed with CAPT or an Approved Provider. Training completed with other trainers may qualify for an exemption in certain circumstances. Submit a Prior Learning Assessment (Form C) to assess for eligibility of exemption.

CAPT recommends completing your Play Therapy education through CAPT or a CAPT-approved training provider. These programs meet established standards for curriculum quality, instructor expertise, and ethical practice, ensuring your hours count toward certification. These training programs helps you build the skills and competencies recognized across Canada for professional Play Therapy practice.

Partially. CAPT requires 1,500 total clinical hours, with at least 500 completed after your Master’s degree or registration/licensing date. This ensures certified play therapists have professional, post-graduate experience before credentialing.

While CAPT does not typically impose arbitrary deadlines for when you must apply after training, it’s important to keep your documentation, supervised hours, and training current and aligned with CAPT’s standards. We encourage applicants to apply when they’re ready and have met the criteria.

The application process usually involves:

  • Meeting eligibility criteria (e.g. degree, training, supervision)
  • Completing the required forms (e.g. application, checklists, supervisor reports)
  • Submitting your documentation and fees to CAPT
  • Undergoing review by the Certification Committee
  • Receiving approval and credentialing

You’ll find all necessary application packages, forms, and instructions in the in the How to Apply Guide – updated February 2026.

CAPT offers a Path to Certification Course, monthly live Q&A sessions where you can ask questions about the process, and detailed guides and checklists to help you complete your documentation. You can also contact CAPT’s Certification Committee (certification@canadianplaytherapy.com) for additional support.

Certified members must maintain CAPT membership, uphold the Code of Ethics, and complete continuing education (CEU) requirements. This ongoing commitment supports professional growth and high standards of practice.