RDT Certification
What the Registered Drama Therapist credential is, the three levels NADTA awards, the hours and education behind each, and how the application actually works.
levels
internship
experience for RDT
start to full RDT
RDT stands for Registered Drama Therapist, the main professional credential for drama therapists in North America, awarded by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). NADTA recognises three levels: P-RDT for those still accruing experience hours, RDT as the full credential, and BCT for those qualified to train and supervise. Reaching the full RDT normally takes three to five years and requires an approved master's degree, an 800-hour internship, and 1,500 hours of paid professional practice.
What the RDT Credential Means
A Registered Drama Therapist is a mental health professional credentialed by NADTA who uses drama, theatre and related methods therapeutically. The credential signals that someone has completed a recognised course of graduate education, worked a supervised internship, and practised for a substantial period under the profession's own standards.
It is worth being precise about what the RDT is not. It is not a state licence. It does not by itself grant the legal authority to practise psychotherapy independently or to bill insurance in most US states. It is a professional registration held alongside, not instead of, whatever licensure your state requires.
The Three NADTA Credentials
NADTA awards three credentials. Any other tier you encounter described as a drama therapy registration is not a NADTA credential.
| Credential | Who holds it | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| P-RDT Provisional Registered Drama Therapist | Graduates who have finished the education and internship but not the professional hours | Approved graduate program and 800-hour internship complete |
| RDT Registered Drama Therapist | The full professional credential | 1,500 hours of paid professional experience as a drama therapist |
| BCT Board Certified Trainer | Experienced RDTs who train and supervise others | Additional experience and training; required to supervise interns and Alternative Training candidates |
Requirements for the RDT
Graduate education
The standard route is a master's degree from a NADTA-approved program, typically two to three years, combining clinical mental health training with drama therapy theory and practice. Coursework, clinical placements and personal therapy requirements are all normally included. Our programs guide covers each approved program in detail.
The 800-hour internship
Training includes a supervised internship of at least 800 hours. Within that total:
- at least 300 hours must be direct client contact
- at least 30 hours must be clinical supervision
- supervision must be provided by a BCT (Board Certified Trainer)
Many graduate programs build placements that satisfy these hours, so for most candidates the internship happens inside the degree rather than after it.
1,500 hours of paid professional experience
After graduating, candidates work as drama therapists and accumulate 1,500 hours of paid professional experience before the full RDT is awarded. During this period they typically hold the P-RDT credential. At full-time hours this stage takes roughly a year; part-time or contract work extends it.
How the Application Works
Applications go to NADTA directly. In practice the process asks you to document what you have already done: transcripts from your approved program, verification of internship hours and supervision, and verification of professional hours signed off by supervisors or employers.
The administrative work is mostly evidence-gathering, so the practical advice from people who have been through it is to keep contemporaneous records of hours and supervision from your first placement onward rather than reconstructing them years later. NADTA sets application fees and reviews requirements periodically, so check nadta.org for current forms, fees and deadlines before applying.
The Alternative Training Program
NADTA also runs an Alternative Training Program for people who already hold a master's degree in a related mental health field and want to add drama therapy without completing a second full degree. It combines drama therapy coursework, supervised clinical practice and mentoring from a BCT.
It suits established clinicians retraining into the field. It is slower and more self-directed than an approved graduate program, and it requires finding a BCT willing to mentor you, which is the step that most often determines the timeline.
Keeping the Credential
The RDT is maintained through continuing education and renewal rather than held permanently on award. Drama therapists commonly combine that requirement with ongoing clinical supervision, which remains normal practice well beyond the training years. Our supervision guide covers how that works and the route toward the BCT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RDT certification?
RDT stands for Registered Drama Therapist, the primary professional credential for drama therapists in North America, awarded by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). It certifies that the holder has completed an approved graduate education in drama therapy, a supervised internship, and a period of paid professional practice.
What is the difference between P-RDT and RDT?
P-RDT is the Provisional Registered Drama Therapist credential, held by people who have finished the educational and internship requirements but are still accumulating the 1,500 hours of paid professional experience. Once those hours are complete and verified, the P-RDT converts to the full RDT credential. P-RDT is a stage in the process rather than a lesser permanent qualification.
How long does RDT certification take?
Most people take three to five years from starting a graduate program to holding the full RDT. The master's degree itself takes two to three years and includes the 800-hour internship. The 1,500 hours of paid professional experience that follow usually take a further one to two years depending on whether the work is full time.
Do I need a state licence as well as the RDT?
The RDT is not a state licence and does not by itself authorise insurance billing in most states. Many drama therapists also hold an LMHC, LCSW, LMFT or LCAT. Most NADTA-approved graduate programs are structured so a single degree can satisfy both the RDT education requirements and a state licensure pathway, which is worth confirming with admissions before enrolling.
Can I become an RDT without a drama therapy master's?
Yes, through NADTA's Alternative Training Program, which is designed for people who already hold a master's degree in a related mental health field. It combines drama therapy coursework, supervised practice and mentoring from a Board Certified Trainer. It is a longer and more self-directed route than an approved graduate program.