NRRTS launches amnesty program

WALSENBURG, Colo. - If you've been thinking about becoming a Certified Rehabilitation Technology Supplier (CRTS), now might be a good time.

Now through Dec. 31, as part of an amnesty program, NRRTS is making registrants who meet these two requirements automatically eligible for its CRTS credential: They have three years of field experience and they have been in good standing with RESNA as an ATP.

"The people that end up getting their CRTS have shown that they're at the highest level possible among their peers," said NRRTS Executive Director Simon Margolis. "It's been perceived by people in the industry that it's a very positive and important credential to have."

Usually, to earn the CRTS credential, a rehab professional must be a NRRTS registrant for at least two years. The amnesty program, in honor of NRRTS's 20th anniversary, is available to current and new NRRTS registrants.

While the amnesty program benefits motivated rehab professionals, Margolis hopes it also benefits NRRTS, in the form of new registrants.

"We've had a retention rate of more than 95%," Margolis said. "We feel we have a very solid base, but it's not growing."

Currently, NRRTS has more than 750 registrants.

"Of course we need the registration money, but that's not the key issue," Margolis said. "The key issue here is numbers—it's about how many people we represent and how many people out there are speaking on Capitol Hill with our sister organizations."

While Medicare requires complex rehab providers to have an ATP on staff, not a CRTS, there's tremendous value in the credential, Margolis said. Rehab professionals who have CRTS credentials are committed—they must meet continuing education requirements and follow NRRTS's code of ethics and standards of practice, he said.

"They're not doing it because they have to," Margolis said.