An Orthopedic Certified Specialist is trusted for her expertise.
Obtaining a specialist certification in orthopedics from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties will enhance your credentials and broaden your career opportunities. The procedure is demanding -- you must meet strict requirements and pass a written examination. These expectations are in place to ensure that Orthopedic Certified Specialists meet the highest standards in the business.
Instructions
1. Ensure that your license to practice physical therapy in the United States or its territories is valid.
2. Provide evidence of 2,000 hours of direct special care in the last 10 years, 500 of which must have occurred within the last three years. Alternatively, you can submit evidence of successful completion of an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)-credentialed post-professional clinical residency.
3. Complete the application, available at APTA's website (see Resources). Read the information booklet carefully, as well as the instructions on complete the summary chart of physical therapy experience.
4. Pay the application review fee and the examination fee by completing the payment form in the application. The amounts are different for APTA members and non-members, and the application review fee is non-refundable.
5. Send your application, along with any other documentation required by APTA, to the address provided at the end of your application. Keep a copy of all the addenda for your records and double-check that your email address in the application is correct. You can also keep track of your application status via the APTA website.
6. Schedule your examination date, after having received a scheduling permit via email. Print the permit; you will need to present it, together with your government-issued ID, on the day of your exam.
7. Prepare for your exams. You will be tested on advanced knowledge and clinical skills, as identified in the Description of Specialty Practice. APTA provides a list of proposed examination preparation material, available on the "Resources" section of its website. Also, a tool on the website enables you to find the nearest Orthopedic Certified Specialist. You might want to consult him to ask what you need to pass the test.
8. Take the test. The specialist certification examinations are administered by computerized testing, so you must become familiar to the system. Go to the "Resources" section of the website and select "Examination Tutorial" for information on the test's format.
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