Certified Activity Professionals

We specialize in offering Certified Activity Director Classes at both the State and National levels. Our goal is to provide top-notch education and training to activity professionals in the Northwest and throughout the United States.  Classes are available in-person and online.

Spring in-person class will be in Wilsonville, Oregon, March 2-5, 2026.  You must attend all three days and complete all assignments for certification

The summer in-person class will be in Helena, Montana, June 8-12, 2026. You must attend all five days and complete all assignments and testing for certification. Contact Montana Healthcare Association for additional registration information.

 

Services

   Certified Activity Directors   and Life Enrichment Leaders

      Become a geriatric certified activity director/coordination with this comprehensive class. It fulfills the regulations required by state and federal guidelines for employment. Activity Directors for Long Term Care /Rehabilitation Facilities must be certified within 6 months of working at the facility.     

     Assisted Liviing Facilities do not have to be certified, however ALF's do encourage their Life Enrichment Directors to take the Long Term Care Activity Director Class. As ALFs are required pass the state survey process annually and must comply with the state regulations. 

     As a Geriatric Certified Activity Professional, you will be part of the  Interdisplinary Medical Team.  Your scope of practice includes cognitive, physical and social-pychological activities to improve the quality of life and person-centered preferences/rountines of each individual. 

  •  Your activity program  will be reviewed by the State Surveyors and must comply with the Center for Medicare /Medicaide Services guidelines. These include Dementia Protocal, Head Trama and Pandemic/ endemic standards.
  •  The Activity Professional position is critical to the well being of residents in your faclities.   
  • Responsiblities include the stimulation and safety of all residents who attend your activities, group outings or special events.
  •  Requires that you complete medical reports on how, what and when they attended these activities.
  • A quarterly report on their progress and abilities for improvements or declines.  These reports need to be written in a clear and detailed format as prescribed by the medical field.
  • Being a Geriatric Activity Professional can be a fun and creative position.  Provide interesting activities and special events for your residents that are set-up for their abilities, adaptive equipment needs and safety. 

     It is not an easy job but... your knowledge of regulations and requirements will give you the confidence to handle these responsibilities and... enjoy this very rewarding position. 

 

 

 

         State Level Training

     The Basic Activity Director class covers the basic ten areas required by all states.  The CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicade Standards) and administrative rules as written by your individual states must be followed.

     The Basic Activity Director Class provides the instructional lectures,  and practicum assignments for Certification in all states.  Providing hours of Continuing Educational Credits needed for professional standards.

  •  This class has ten lessons, reading questions, discussion essays and two clinical practicums.
  • Texts required for this class is Actvity Director Best you Can Be  with appendix and worksheets for the practicums and is embedded in the digital class file. 
  • The class is supported with 13 YouTube videos that accompany the text materials .
  • You must complete andpass these assignments with 70% or better review to receive certification.
  •  Upon Completion of the Basic Activity Director Class you will recieve your Certification Certificate for employment.

               Cost/Expenses:

 *Basic Activity Director

                 Class - $280.00

    The text: Activity Director, Best You Can Be is included in digital file 

  •  Before you can register, contact us by email or phone for an interview. Sign and return the agreement and expectations letter before the class wil be sent to you. 
  • You must have a Gmail account to recieve the digital file.
  • Once the digital file is sent to you, the class is non-refundable.
  • You will have 10 weeks to complete the class. 
  • Should you need additional time, contact the instructor to request the additional weeks to complete the assignments to receive certification. 

National Level Training

        The Advanced Activity Director Class provides the instruction and practicums, needed to take the National Test. Testing is done through the Activity Professional National Credentialing Center.  This class has leadership/management components for a Director/ Coordinator and Consultant level positions.  

     This class has ten lessons, reading questions, discussion essays, and three clinical practicums. Viewing of 16 YouTube videos related to lessons, supplements the reading material. You will be required to purchase the text: Long Term Care for Activity Professionals, Social Service Professionals and Recreational Therapists. Each lesson will cover two chapters of this text.

 Upon completion of the class, you will be sent your state certification.

*Eligible to sit for the National Test provided by APNCC will also require that you have one full year of full-time working in the Activity Director position. 

                 Cost/ Expenses:

        Advance Activity Director

                    Class - $ 280.00

Long Term Care for Activity Professionals, Social Service Professionals, and Recreational Therapists is $60.00

  • Before you register, contact us by email or phone for an interview.  Read, sign, and return the agreement /expectation letter before the class will be sent to you.
  • You must have a Gmail account to receive the digital file. 
  • Once the digital file is sent to you, the class is non-refundable. 
  • You will have 20 weeks to complete the assignments. Should you need additional time, contact the instructor to request the additional time.
  • Your certification of Completion for the Advanced Activity Director will be sent to you when all assignments and practicums must have a score of 70% or better to get certification for this class.

      *If you wish to test for your National Certification you must contact APNCC.com to request permission to sit for the national computerized test and pass the test with a score of 70% or bette.  Testing is approximately $225.00 

Online classes can be started at any time for individuals needing State Certification... 

on June 8-12, 2026, in Helena, Montana (contact: Montana Health Care Association).

Next In-person classes will be in October of 2026 in Wilsonville, Oregon

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in the Certified Activity Director Class?

The prerequisites for the Certified Activity Director Class include a high school diploma or equivalent. No prior experience is required. However, if you have never worked or had previous experience with the elderly, it is suggested that you volunteer in either a Long-Term Care Center or an Assisted Living Facility to familiarize yourself with dementia and other aging issues. 

How long does it take to complete the State Level Training program?

The State Level Training program typically takes 6-10 weeks to complete, depending on the schedule and individual progress. Basic Activity Director Class involves 4-6 hours of academic time reading and writing responses for each lesson. There are 10 lessons and two practicum assignments.

The Advanced Activity Director Class takes 20 weeks to complete. There are 10 lessons. Each lesson requires 6-10 hours of educational time, reading, and writing responses to complete the assignments. The practicums require at least 4-6 hours to complete each assignment. There is one Documentation Practicum and one Calendar Practicum.  

Is financial aid available for the National Level Training?

Financial aid options are not available for the State or National Level Training. However, most employers will pay for your training as this certification is required to work in this position in Long Term Care facilities. 

The employer is less likely to pay for the training since certification is not required in most states for the position of Life Enrichment in Assisted Living facilities.

Next Steps in Application

   Contact us if you are interested in the Basic or Advanced Activity Director Certification. 

*Request an interview to establish which class would best meet your needs for your career goals. We will then send you a contract/expectation agreement letter.  When we receive your signed contract/expectation agreement the digital lectures and links for the YouTube videos will be sent to you to begin your class. Once the digital materials are sent to you the class cost of 280.00 is non-refundable.

If you want a National Certification with APNCC, you must take the Advanced Activity Director class. This class will require you to sit for the computerized testing with the Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center (APNCC.com). You will have an additional fee of approximately $220.00. 

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BASIC ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CLASS 

Contact us for an interview and we will send you the agreement expectation contract.  Sign and return to us so you can register for the class.

When you send in your assignments, they will be reviewed and commentary sent back to you within 48 hours.  You can upgrade your answers by additional submissions, zoom sessions, or phone chats.  We will support you through the entire class.  You will have access to all 20 videos related to this class. We suggest you complete one lesson a week to finish the class within the time limit.

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ADVANCED ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CLASS

Please contact us for a brief interview so we can assist with any questions and concerns you have regarding the class. Then sign the agreement and expectation letter/contract to us and you can register for the class.

You will have 3 months to complete the class. Your assignments will be reviewed within 48 hours and commentary will be sent to you for upgrading your scores if needed.  Complete all reading questions, discussion essays, and practicums. You can arrange for personal help via Zoom sessions or phone chats.  You will have access to all our YouTube videos that accompany this class.   

Upon completing this class, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that will be honored for your state certification.  If you wish to test for the national credentialing, with APNCC you will contact them for testing times and fee requirements

Our goal is to train the best Activity Professionals, and we will support you in this endeavor to ensure your success and enjoy this wonderfully rewarding career.

NEXT STEPS: 

*Decide which class: Basic or Advanced.  Call or email us if you have concerns or questions.  The text and materials will be sent for your review/ refund only when the materials are returned in original condition within 15 days.

*Request an interview

*Sign and return the class agreement

*Digital lectures and video links will be sent to you.  Once digital materials are sent the class is non-refundable. You will have support and assistance to complete this class. If you need an additional extension of time to complete the class write to us so we can implement a 2-week extension.

We want you to succeed and become the Best Activity Professional you can be. We will support you via phone chats and Zoom sessions and help you complete practicums for your professional portfolio. 

As Always, 

Connie Ratti, CTRS, Instructor 

 

Certified Activity Professionals with a specialty in Geriatric are highly valued for their comprehensive and hands-on approaches. 

Trainers are certified CTRS, Certified Therapuetic Recreational Specialist with extensive frontline work experience in Geriatric Activity Services for over 20 years. Our goal is provide you with a complete training experience so you can  become the best Activity Professional you can be.

Contact us

For inquiries about our Certified Activity Director Classes at State and National levels, please fill out the form below.

Location

Geriatric Activity Professionals
Tualatin, Oregon, United States                                       cratti@outlook.com

About us

It began with a desire to run a good activity program that was fun, stress-free and well attended.  

  • As an Activity Professional and a CTRS, Certified Therapuetic Recreational Specialist, over the course of several years of trail and error, I figured out what was best for my residents. 
  • How to run those program effectively and effieciently to and provide the person-center care and home-like enviroment an enjoyable atmosphere. 
  • The best results for my residents , also made it easier and more enjoyable for me to implement.  Programming and treatmement became a win-win for both of us.  
  • I want to share with you not only the regulations and requirements  needed to get to successful surveys, but also the intent and spirit of the concepts . 
  • Once you understand these insites to Activity Programming and Implementation you will be confident and successful in this position.    
  • Lecture Material will teach you the rules of the position , the additional videos will demonstrate and share how I was able to implement all the components of the job. 
  • I will show you what it took me years to learn.  The tricks and the inside trade of how to do it all and not pull your hair-out or burn-out.

Your Instructor, Connie Ratti, CTRS, BC-ACE.  Have enjoyed this field as a Geriatric Activity Professional with over 25 years of experience and pleasure in being a part of something that is life-changing and rewarding. For yourself and those you serve.

Cretified Activity Professional Classes

These classes have been taught  for over 18 years with the most current nd updated information. 

It has been a pleasure and a reward to help others understand the real reason this position exist and the value it can bring to your residents, their families and the staff you are working with.  

  • Most people do not understand the importance of the position. Yes, we play games, enjoy music, make crafts and artwork. do cooking sessions.  We provide holiday events and go on outting.  Have educational speakers,and offer religious groups. 
  • And while we are doing all these fun and pleasureable session, we are also improving and maintaning life skills.
  • Learning how to use adaptive equipment to make the experience easier abd safer or even doable wirh healthcare changes. 
  • Providing and re-establishing confidence and self-worth. helping to establish and maintain healthy lifestyles and social connections. Improving quality of life.

      I have never had an easy day, it has often been a very busy and I can not make everyone completely happy... because there are things and situations I can not change and I need to know the differenct. But with each resident I can help, or encourage, or show how to do something better or safer.... It  has been a rewarding day!

Product Listing - PayPal Mini Store...

 

Basic Activity Director Class-State - PayPal Shop

US$280.00

Please contact us for an interview and return the agreement letter for class expectations.    

Basic Activity Director Class -State included text in the digital file.

Your text Activity Director Best You Can Be is embedded in the digital file. You may print out the text or use it on your devices. The text, Appendix, and worksheets are 180 pages.

This class includes 10 lessons that cover the areas you will need to learn and implement to be an Activity Professional in Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation, and Memory Care Units.

The reading materials require that you answer reading questions for each lesson, participate in topic discussions by submitting your comments, and complete 2 practicums. The class is supplemented with demonstrations /13 videos via YouTube designed for this class.

During the class, support is offered via phone or Zoom sessions.  Should you need additional time to complete this 10-week, contact us for an extension and arrangements for completing the class. There is a 20-week limit for completion. Your enjoyment and success in this class is important. 

Once the digital file is sent and confirms that you have received it without error or emission of pages, the class is non-refundable.

See details

Basic In Person Activity Director Class

US$280.00

This class is taught on location. Students must attend all sessions and pass testing with a 70% or higher score for certification. Students must contact the website information links to request a confirmation interview before class locations, dates, and times are released. 

*If you would like your text printed in hard copy form, an additional charge of 20.00 is required. It will be delivered to you on the first day of the session.

Total cost of class plus text is $300.00

See details

Advanced Activity Director Class-National-PayPal shop.

US$280.00

Before you can take this class, please contact us for an interview and sign the agreement letter of expectations.

This class will help you study for the National Level Certification for Activity Professionals. Title of text: Long-Term Care for Activity Professionals, Social Service Professionals, and Recreational Therapists. The cost of the text is additional $60.00. 

If an attendee needs scholarship assistance, the 7th edition of this text will be offered as long as current supplies last. Please contact us for more information on this assistance.
Testing for certification is done by the Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center (APNCC.org) for additional information/requirements and fees.

This class has ten lessons covering testing areas used in the National Test.  The class will be sent to you via a digital file.   

Each lesson covers 2 chapters in the text and has reading questions to check for compression, discussion topics to demonstrate your ability to implement skills and two practicums, documentation and calendar planning.   In addition, YouTube videos to demonstrate visual scope of practice and adaptive equipment and care skills required of Geriatric Activity Professionals are support the class material.  

During the class we will communicate via phone conversations or Zoom sessions to assist with understand or concerns you may have about the Activity Professional field. Your success, enjoyment and grow as a professional is important to you.

Once the digital file is sent and confirmed that you have received it without error or emissions of pages, the class is non-refundable.

See details

Online and In-person Classes

Certified Activity Professionals are dedicated to providing top-quality education and training to Geriartic Activity Professionals via Live In-person or online classes.

  • Online classes offered to attendees in any area of United States, starting monthly after application is approved. With a focus on certification and practical skills development. We empower individuals in the field of geriatric activity planning, documentation, normal aging issues and cognitive changes, stimulating activities to enhance their mental, physical and social interest that honor their value and person center care to develop your understanding and professionalism in the Geriatric Activity Professional scope, and meet all requirement for state and national regualtions in the Unitied States and CMS, the Center for Medicare and Mediaide Services.
  • In-person classes are offered in the Spring and Fall in the Oregon, and in June in Montana. 
  • Accommodations can be set up in any location were 6 or more attendees have an interest in a 4-5 day workshop.  Often these workshops are coordinated with local companies and Long Term or Assisted Living Facilities. See more details under  Our Services.