The membership period is from May 1st to April 30th.
Membership renewal and Registry fees are due by May 1st each year.

Member and Allied Professional

Annual Dues: $100 USD

Any individual who wishes to support the mission and vision of NADTA through membership. Members are entitled to vote, member discounts, and communication from the association. Members may also be allied professionals or graduates of theatre/drama programs or drama therapists who are using drama for educational and community purposes where a professional credential is not required. 

Retired Member 

Annual Dues: $75 USD

This discounted professional membership is available to individuals who are 65 years of age or older, or who qualify for full retirement benefits under current Social Security regulations, and who have officially retired from their primary professional roles. 

The North American Drama Therapy Association deeply values the wisdom, experience, and lasting contributions of our retired members. Retired Members retain full participation in the NADTA community, including the right to vote, hold office, serve on committees, and receive all official publications and member benefits. 

This membership reflects our ongoing appreciation for those who have helped shape the field of drama therapy and continue to inspire its growth.

Please note that members aged 65 or older who wish to maintain the RDT or BCT credentials should renew as a professional member to maintain the NADTA credential continuing education requirements and the NADTA code of ethics.

Student- Drama Therapy Program / Alternative Training

Annual Dues: $40 USD

Students who are actively advancing professional training in drama therapy. To qualify for this discount, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

    • Graduate Students: You should be enrolled as an active student in one of the NADTA accredited Drama Therapy (DT) graduate degree programs and must upload a copy of your current student ID each year that you renew your student membership.
    • AT Contract Holders: You must have a current NADTA Alternative Training (AT) contract (updated, signed annually by you and your BCT) uploaded to your member profile, and be actively pursuing drama therapy education with the goal of becoming a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT). 

All Student accounts are placed in a pending status upon joining the NADTA.

  • First Year University Program Students: Proof of current student status is required.(School ID). First academic year membership is waived ($0)
  • First Year Alternative Training Students: A one-time $80.00 application fee and a copy of their signed initial Alterative Learning Contract is required to activate membership until the next renewal cycle.  

Organization: Nonprofit/Theatres

Annual Dues: $105 USD

Nonprofit organizations and theatres that use drama for educational and therapeutic purposes. This category entitles two members of the organization to attend NADTA conferences at the member rate. Proof of 501(C)3 status is required. 

University / Training Affiliate

Annual Dues: $500 USD

NADTA approved university programs, drama therapy training institutes, and other for-profit organizations that use drama for educational and therapeutic purposes. This category includes recognition on the NADTA Website as an affiliated training program and entitles two members of the organization to attend NADTA conferences at the member rate. 

Professional Member Categories

(Annual membership dues are included in the registry renewal fee)

P-RDT (Provisionally Registered Drama Therapist)

Annual Dues: $100 USD

Drama therapists who have successfully completed a drama therapy master’s degree or equivalent alternative training, submitted all application requirements for the P-RDT credential and received an approval letter from the NADTA Registry Committee with a P-RDT credential number.

Professional RDT

Annual Dues: $140 USD

Registered drama therapists who have successfully completed the RDT application process and may use the initials RDT; have a master's degree in drama therapy, theatre, or behavioral science; drama/theatre training; supervised clinical training; and extensive work experience in the field of drama therapy.

Professional RDT/BCT

Annual Dues: $160 USD

Individuals who have been RDT's for at least five years and have successfully completed application and approval process by the Trainer Review Committee to be Board Certified as a Teacher/Trainer/Mentor (BCT)

Paused Credential Status

Annual Dues: Sliding Scale between $40 - $80 USD

For any RDT or RDT/BCT member who may have a temporary circumstance resulting in no capacity for professional work (for any reason, such as family leave, disability, illness, burnout, economic hardship, etc.) This option allows for a temporary pause in membership and credentials, subject to meeting specific criteria and an adjusted financial agreement. During the pause, credentials are suspended and cannot be used for active practice. It is intended for members seeking a sabbatical from their drama therapy work with plans to resume their credentialed professional work in the future.

To activate the pause, members pay a sliding-scale reduced price annual (RDT or BCT) paused-credential maintenance and membership fee, and sign an attestation document that describes the parameters of the paused credential status and member responsibilities: 

    • Members agree to notify the NADTA office if circumstances change whereby fully active membership/credential status is viable for engaging in professional work.
    • Status applies for 1 year, with the option to re-apply annually. 
    • If the member chooses to re-activate a credential mid-membership cycle, the member will pay a prorated equivalent for the remainder of that membership year.
    • The Paused Credential member must continue to complete CEs through self-study, which can include reading Drama Therapy Review and other accessible peer-reviewed articles and books (allowable hours increased to 30 for self-study). The paused credential member is also welcome to attend in-person and virtual conferences, virtual membership meetings, and other activities that would be accessible to the member. 
    • The Paused Credential member is encouraged to attend a minimum of two virtual NADTA CE – Care for Caregiver education meetings facilitated quarterly by CHEDC, BOD members, or guest members. This new educational series will be available to all NADTA members and serves as both member support and professional development that creates connection with the association leaders and members.