Horticultural Therapy Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

When were the current internship guidelines and requirements implemented?

The current AHTA internship guidelines and requirements went into effect on June 1, 2013. The intern and supervisor requirements were defined more clearly for onsite and offsite internships. The guidelines were updated again in 2018 with the addition of the online supervision option and updated most recently in 2023 with options for licensed or certified interns receiving online supervision.

I completed a horticultural therapy internship before June 2013. Will it still count?

Yes.  If you began your internship prior to June 1, 2013, you will be evaluated under the guidelines effective prior to June 1, 2013. When you apply for professional registration, you may submit the Internship Evaluation form in effect at that time. If you need a copy of the AHTA Internship Guidelines or Internship Evaluation form in effect prior to June 1, 2013, please contact the AHTA at [email protected]. 

If you began an internship after June 1, 2013, you are subject to the new requirements.

Are there pre-requisite requirements for internships?

Yes. If an internship is supervised onsite, the intern is required to complete the Introduction to Horticultural Therapy course and one additional required horticultural therapy course (six semester credits) of their choice prior to beginning an internship.

If an intern will be supervised by an off-site supervisor, the intern must have completed all nine (9) semester credits of horticultural therapy coursework. 

If an intern is eligible for online supervision, the intern must have completed all nine (9) semester credits in horticultural therapy coursework in addition to all 12 semester credits in plant science and 12 semester credits in human science coursework.

All interns are required to be supervised by a professionally registered horticultural therapist at the HTR or HTM level.

How do I know if my internship supervisor is professionally registered with the AHTA and an approved supervisor?

The AHTA maintains an Internship Supervisor Registry.  Internship supervisors must be approved by the AHTA and then they are listed on the Registry.  The Registry is available for members only.  Not a member?  Join the AHTA to have access to the Registry and more helpful information!

I can’t find an internship supervisor.  What options do I have?

The AHTA offers an option for students to apply for online supervision.  A student must meet the pre-requisite requirements and eligibility requirements to apply.  Reference the AHTA Internship Guidelines for more information.

Are internships required to be for academic credit?

No. Academic credit is not required for an internship to apply towards professional registration. However, many certificate programs offered through a university require an internship of 100 hours.  The 100 hours may be considered as part of the 480 hours required for professional registration.  The 100 hours would be considered a ‘site’  The intern would still be required to complete 380 hours at a second site.

Can I complete my internship at more than one site?

Yes. Internships may take place at one or two sites and may be supervised by one or two supervisors. If an intern is supervised by two supervisors, an Internship Performance Report is required to be completed by both supervisors and submitted with the professional registration application.

Interns completing their internship at two sites must meet the project requirements identified in the AHTA Horticultural Therapy Internship Handbook. 

How long do I have to complete my internship?

Internships must be a minimum of 480 hours under the supervision of a registered horticultural therapist. Internships may be completed in 3 months and must be completed within 2 years.

How do I meet the project requirements if my internship is split between two sites?

It is the intern's responsibility to coordinate their internships to meet the project requirements. Since the short-term project is a client activity, it should be easy to complete this at one site. Both the long-terms and the case study projects must be completed at one site. It is your responsibility to ensure that you will be at one site long enough to complete these two projects. Reference the AHTA Horticultural Therapy Internship Handbook for more information.

Do I have to complete my internship before I apply for professional registration?

Yes.  An application for professional registration will not be processed until you have completed your internship and submitted the required Internship Performance Report and supporting documentation.

My internship was disrupted in 2020 because of the pandemic.  I’m ready to start again.  Can I count those hours?

Technically, no.  In April 2020, the AHTA implemented an extension for internships.  Interns who started an internship during the pandemic or whose internship was interrupted because of the pandemic, were granted an additional year to complete their internship, through end of April 2023.  The AHTA extended this through December 2023. Beginning January 2023, the AHTA reinstated the 2-year time frame for interns to complete their internship.  If this presents a hardship and you accrued a significant number of hours but were unable to complete your internship before December 2023, please contact the AHTA Office.