STA Handbook: Requirements for Certification

Detailed information about the requirements for Registered Sandplay Practitioner (RSP), Certified Sandplay Therapist (CST), Teaching Member (CST-T), and CST final case reader can be found in the STA Handbook (revised February 2024). Members already familiar with the current Handbook are directed to Appendix G, which details the material changes between the old and new versions.

Using Jotform: Applicants, Advisors, and Readers

Jotform logoStarting in 2024, STA has moved from a paper form system to an online system using the Jotform platform. The forms included in Appendix H of the STA Handbook are for informational purposes only and to help the applicant collect the necessary documents and information in advance of working on the electronic form.

STA Jotform Instruction Manual

STA Jotform Instructions is a companion document to the STA Handbook and details the new online form system as well as the new Education & Training Google spreadsheet. It includes a cross-reference for each old-STA-system paper form and its new electronic counterpart and also includes a table specifying what to do with each form you may have already completed on paper. Having issues? Need support? Please email admissions@sandplay.org and provide as much detail about your issue as possible to help us assist you quickly.

Workflow

Forms in the certification process are initiated by the applicant and then (as necessary) forwarded to other parties to complete their portions and sign/approve. For example, an RSP applicant completes the information about their personal sandplay process and their therapist’s contact information; upon submission, the form is sent to the therapist for their confirmation and signature. Once complete, a PDF copy of the form is sent to the applicant, the therapist, and STA.

Start IconEveryone working on STA certification starts the process by completing their STA Member Profile on Jotform. Based on the certification you are working toward as indicated in your profile, you will receive an email with links to each required form, including instructions on what to do if you have already completed some forms on the old paper system. Using the links in this email will pre-populate the form with your name and email address. Members can also access the forms using the links below without pre-filled information.

Save and Continue

Many forms allow the user to save their work in progress and return later. Jotform automatically deletes drafts after 2 months, so be sure to return to your form and submit it within that time.

Which forms do I need?

To see which forms are required for your certification level or for your role as a reader or advisory committee member, click on the heading below for your certification level or role. The information/links below are also included in the email that members receive when they complete their STA Member Profile. A sample of each form is included in the STA Handbook, Appendix H. Please also download and read the STA Jotform Instructions and Using the STA Education & Training Google Worksheet for additional instructions.

Those working toward RSP certification will use the forms listed below. See Chapter 2 of the STA Handbook for full details.

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
Pre-Req:
STA Associate
  • A prerequisite for RSP certification is being an STA Associate member.
  • Become a member today, and start your journey with an annual subscription to the Journal of Sandplay Therapy, included in your membership.
 Become an Associate
PSP
  • For your Personal Sandplay Process, add the information about your sessions and your therapist to this form, and it will be forwarded to your therapist for their signature.
  • If you’ve already completed paper Form A, upload a copy of it to this form (your therapist does not need to co-sign).
 Go to Form PSP
ADV (Optional)
  • If you have an advisor, please complete the Applicant/Advisor Agreement; once you sign it, it is then forwarded to your advisor for their signature.
  • If you have already completed paper Form 2, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper form to RSP-APP.
 Go to Form ADV
E&T
  • The Education & Training form contains information about your professional history, case consultation, sandplay education, etc.
  • There is no option to incorporate paper forms from the old system. Please enter the information from your paper forms into Jotform.
  • Uploads required: proof of postgraduate degree, current professional license; case consultation certificates; education course completion certificates, PDFs from the E&T Google spreadsheet.
  • You will add to this same form in the future if you pursue CST certification. The items required for RSP are marked with a red asterisk; all other fields are optional for RSP applicants.
 Go to Form E&T
E&T Google worksheet
  • This spreadsheet provides an organized way for you to enter complete information about your sandplay education courses. The spreadsheet handles all the calculations of minimum hours needed, including online and asynchronous maximums—in an easy-to-use format.
  • Print a hard copy of the how-to guide, Using the STA Education & Training Google Worksheet, for easy reference as you make your own copy of the worksheet and enter your courses.
  • To make your own copy of this spreadsheet (which will be saved in your Google Drive),
    1. Click on the “Get the Google worksheet” button at right.
    2. Google Sheets On the following screen, click the blue “Use template” button in the upper-right corner (requires Gmail account).
  • Read and follow the instructions on the first page of the spreadsheet.
  • When your RSP minimum sandplay education hours are satisfied, upload a PDF of the course list to Form E&T.
 Get the Google worksheet
RSP-LOR
  • Fill out once for each recommender.
  • Add the name & email of your recommender to the form; they will receive an email with a link to complete it.
  • You will receive a notification when the recommender has submitted.
  • Start this form prior to submitting your RSP application to avoid delays.
 Go to Form RSP-LOR
RSP-APP
  • The RSP Application is the final form you’ll submit, after all of the above forms are complete, submitted, and co-signed, as applicable.
 Go to Form RSP-APP

The path to becoming a Certified Sandplay Therapist has many separate requirements. For your reference, the overall CST “road map” is shown in the graphic below. The forms needed in the first part of this process (up to the Advisory Interview and becoming a CST Candidate) are listed below. See Chapter 3 of the STA Handbook for full details.

Chart showing the steps required to complete CST certification

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
Pre-Req:
STA Associate or RSP
  • A prerequisite for CST certification is being a Registered Sandplay Practitioner (RSP) or an STA Associate member.
  • Become an Associate member today, and start your journey with an annual subscription to the Journal of Sandplay Therapy, included in your membership.
 Become an Associate
PSP
  • For your Personal Sandplay Process, add the information about your sessions and your therapist to this form, and it will be forwarded to your therapist for their signature.
  • If you’ve already completed paper Form A, upload a copy of it to this form (your therapist does not need to co-sign).
 Go to Form PSP
ADV
  • You’ll start the Applicant/Advisor Agreement and sign it; it is then forwarded to your advisor for their signature.
  • If you have already completed paper Form 2, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper form to CST-APP.
 Go to Form ADV
E&T
  • The Education & Training form contains information about your professional history, case consultation, sandplay education, etc.
  • There is no option to incorporate paper forms from the old system. Please enter the information from your paper forms into Jotform.
  • Uploads required: proof of postgraduate degree, current professional license; case consultation certificates; education course completion certificates, PDFs from the E&T Google spreadsheet.
 Go to Form E&T
E&T Google worksheet
  • This spreadsheet provides an organized way for you to enter complete information about your sandplay education courses. The spreadsheet handles all the calculations of minimum hours needed, including online and asynchronous maximums—in an easy-to-use format.
  • Print a hard copy of the how-to guide, Using the STA Education & Training Google Worksheet, for easy reference as you make your own copy of the worksheet and enter your courses.
  • To make your own copy of this spreadsheet (which will be saved in your Google Drive),
    1. Click on the “Get the Google worksheet” button at right.
    2. Google Sheets On the following screen, click the blue “Use template” button in the upper-right corner (requires Gmail account).
  • Read and follow the instructions on the first page of the spreadsheet.
  • When your CST minimum sandplay education hours are satisfied, upload a PDF of the course list to Form E&T.
 Get the Google worksheet
CST-PAPER Submission
  • When you write your first symbol paper, complete this form and upload your paper.
  • Your reader downloads your paper from their confirmation email and receives a link to the assessment form.
  • If your reader already completed Form 5 for your first paper, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper checklist to Form CST-APP.
 Submit your paper
CST-APP
  • The CST Application is the final form you’ll submit in becoming a CST Candidate, after all of the above forms are complete, submitted, and co-signed, as applicable.
  • Once your application is reviewed you will have your Advisory Interview, after which you will complete the remaining requirements for CST. You will receive a separate email at that time containing links to the remaining forms needed.
 Go to Form CST-APP

If you have already completed your Advisory Interview, you have achieved CST Candidate status. The forms shown below are used for the remaining steps in the certification process. See Chapter 3 of the STA Handbook for full details.

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
ADV
  • If you have already completed paper Form 2, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper form to Form CST-ADD, the Application Addendum.
  • Otherwise, you’ll start the Applicant/Advisor Agreement and sign it; it is then forwarded to your advisor for their signature.
 Go to Form ADV
E&T
  • The Education & Training form contains information about your professional history, case consultation, sandplay education, etc.
  • There is no option to incorporate paper forms from the old system. Please enter the information from your paper forms into Jotform.
  • Uploads required: proof of postgraduate degree, current professional license; case consultation certificates; education course completion certificates, PDFs from the E&T Google spreadsheet.
 Go to Form E&T
E&T Google worksheet
  • This spreadsheet provides an organized way for you to enter complete information about your sandplay education courses. The spreadsheet handles all the calculations of minimum hours needed, including online and asynchronous maximums, etc.—in an easy-to-use format.
  • Print a hard copy of the how-to guide, Using the STA Education & Training Google Worksheet, for easy reference as you make your own copy of the worksheet and enter your courses.
  • To make your own copy of this spreadsheet (which will be saved in your Google Drive),
    1. Click on the “Get the Google worksheet” button at right.
    2. Google Sheets On the following screen, click the blue “Use template” button in the upper-right corner (requires Gmail account).
  • Read and follow the instructions on the first page of the spreadsheet.
  • When your CST minimum sandplay education hours are satisfied, upload a PDF of the course list to Form E&T.
 Get the Google worksheet
CST-PAPER Submission
  • When you write your second initial paper, complete this form and upload (a) your paper, (b) your Advisory Interview report, and (c) the checklist from your first symbol paper.
  • Your reader downloads these files from their confirmation email and receives a link to the assessment form.
  • If your reader already completed Form 5 for your second paper, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper checklist to Form CST-ADD.
 Submit your paper
CST-CRR
  • Use this Case Reader Request form to formally ask the 3 readers for your final case.
  • If your case report is ready, you can upload your files to this form; alternately, you can let your potential readers know when it will be ready.
  • You can enter the names of 1-3 readers; you can submit this form as many times as needed if you do not have all 3 readers ready to ask at the same time, or if some decline.
  • If you have already secured your readers or have already had your case reviewed and accepted, skip this form.
 Go to Form CST-CRR

View the list of final case readers
CST-ADD
  • The CST Application Addendum is the final form you’ll submit, after all of the above forms are complete, submitted, and co-signed, as applicable.
 Go to Form CST-ADD

Certified Jungian Analysts undergo an abbreviated application process for Certified Sandplay Therapist. The forms below comprise all of the forms you need to complete in this process. See Section 3.3 of the STA Handbook for full details.

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
Pre-Req:
STA Associate or RSP
  • A prerequisite for CST certification is being a Registered Sandplay Practitioner (RSP) or an STA Associate member.
  • Become an Associate member today, and start your journey with an annual subscription to the Journal of Sandplay Therapy, included in your membership.
 Become an Associate
PSP
  • For your Personal Sandplay Process, add the information about your sessions and your therapist to this form, and it will be forwarded to your therapist for their signature.
  • If you’ve already completed paper Form A, upload a copy of it to this form (your therapist does not need to co-sign).
 Go to Form PSP
ADV
  • You’ll start the Applicant/Advisor Agreement and sign it; it is then forwarded to your advisor for their signature.
  • If you have already completed paper Form 2, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper form to CST-APP.
 Go to Form ADV
E&T
  • The Education & Training form contains information about your professional history, case consultation, sandplay education, etc.
  • There is no option to incorporate paper forms from the old system. Please enter the information from your paper forms into Jotform.
  • Uploads required: proof of postgraduate degree, current professional license; case consultation certificates; education course completion certificates, PDFs from the E&T Google spreadsheet.
 Go to Form E&T
E&T Google worksheet
  • This spreadsheet provides an organized way for you to enter complete information about your sandplay education courses. The spreadsheet handles all the calculations of minimum hours needed, including online and asynchronous maximums, etc.—in an easy-to-use format.
  • Print a hard copy of the how-to guide, Using the STA Education & Training Google Worksheet, for easy reference as you make your own copy of the worksheet and enter your courses.
  • To make your own copy of this spreadsheet (which will be saved in your Google Drive),
    1. Click on the “Get the Google worksheet” button at right.
    2. Google Sheets On the following screen, click the blue “Use template” button in the upper-right corner (requires Gmail account).
  • Read and follow the instructions on the first page of the spreadsheet.
  • When your CST minimum sandplay education hours are satisfied, upload a PDF of the course list to Form E&T.
 Get the Google worksheet
CST-PAPER Submission
  • When you write your symbol paper, complete this form and upload your paper.
  • Your reader downloads your paper from their confirmation email and receives a link to the assessment form.
  • If your reader already completed Form 5 for your first paper, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper checklist to Form CST-JA-APP.
 Submit your paper
CST-CRR
  • Use this Case Reader Request form to formally ask the 3 readers for your final case.
  • If your case report is ready, you can upload your files to this form; alternately, you can let your potential readers know when it will be ready.
  • You can enter the names of 1-3 readers; you can submit this form as many times as needed if you do not have all 3 readers ready to ask at the same time, or if some decline.
  • If you have already secured your readers or have already had your case reviewed and accepted, skip this form.
 Go to Form CST-CRR

View the list of final case readers
CST-APP-JA
  • The CST Application for Jungian Analysts is the final form you’ll submit, after all of the above forms are complete, submitted, and co-signed, as applicable.
 Go to Form CST-APP-JA

Certified Sandplay Therapists who are working toward Teaching Member (CST-T) status use the forms below. Please see Chapter 4 of the STA Handbook for full details.

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
CST-T-COF
  • For each of your co-facilitating sessions, complete this form and it is then forwarded to your co-therapist for their assessment.
  • If you have a letter from your co-therapist, skip this form and upload the letter to Form CST-T-APP.
 Go to Form CST-T-COF
CST-T-COT
  • For each of your co-teaching sessions, complete this form and it is then forwarded to your co-teacher for their assessment.
  • If your co-teacher completed paper Form 10, skip this form and upload a copy of the paper form to Form CST-T-APP.
 Go to Form CST-T-COT
CST-T-APP
  • The CST-T Application is the final form you’ll submit, after all of the above forms are complete, submitted, and co-signed, as applicable.
 Go to Form CST-T-APP

Beginning in 2024, all Teaching Members (CST-T) are eligible to read CST initial (symbol) papers.

Form Instructions Link
CST-PAPER
  • The initial paper reader typically accesses this form via a link in the email they receive when the applicant submits the paper. Using that link pre-populates the applicant, advisor, and reader contact information and the paper title.
  • The form can also be accessed via the link at right, without pre-filled information.
 Go to Form CST-PAPER

One member from the CST advisory interview committee summarizes the committee’s feedback and completes the form below. This is the only form not initiated by the applicant.

Form Instructions Link
CST-INT
  • Once the CST candidate has completed their advisory interview, one representative from the committee completes this form, summarizing the panel’s feedback from the interview. Upon submission, copies are sent to the committee, applicant, advisor, and STA.
 Go to Form CST-INT

Final case readers typically access the forms listed below via emails they receive (a) when the candidate requests them to be a reader, and (b) when they respond in the affirmative.

Form Instructions Link
CST-CRR Response
  • The case reader typically accesses this form via a link from the CST candidate’s request email. Using that link pre-populates the applicant, advisor, and reader contact information.
  • The form can also be accessed via the link at right, without pre-filled information.
 Go to Form CST-CRR Response
CST-CASE
  • Once a reader accepts a request, they receive a link in their confirmation email to complete this form. Using that link pre-populates the applicant, advisor, and reader contact information.
  • The form can also be accessed via the link at right, without pre-filled information.
 Go to Form CST-CASE

Teaching Members who are in training to become CST final case readers will use the form below for each case that they train on. Please see Section E.6, Final Case Reader Qualifications in the STA Handbook for details.

Form Instructions Link
STA Member Profile
  • Applicants for all certification types begin by completing the STA Member Profile, which becomes the cover page of the application package.
 Start your Member Profile
CR-QUAL
  • For each of the cases that you work on with your mentors, complete the first part of this form; it is then forwarded to your mentor for them to add their evaluation.
 Go to Form CR-QUAL

Certification level Forms used
All
RSP
CST
CST-T
CST Initial Paper Reader
Advisory Interview Committee
CST Final Case Reader
Final Case Reader
Trainee