List of Additional Credentials
APTA Clinical Instructor Education and Credentialing Program
is an APTA-sponsored voluntary program for PTs and PTAs who are interested in clinical education.
- Fee: $70 APTA member/$140 nonmember
- The 15-hour program offers:
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers clinical specialist certification in eight areas.
Applicants must be PTs with at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice experience working in the specialty area.
The six-hour examination is administered in two three-hour segments. Certification is valid for 10 years.
- Fees: $800 APTA member/$1,525 nonmember
- The program offers:
- CCS (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist)
- ECS (Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist)
- GCS (Geriatric Certified Specialist)
- NCS (Neurologic Certified Specialist)
- OCS (Orthopaedic Certified Specialist)
- PCS (Pediatric Certified Specialist)
- SCS (Sports Certified Specialist)
- WHCS (Women’s Health Certified Specialist)
- Resource: visit website
The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) offers a hand therapy certification. Applicants must be a PT or OT with at
least five years of practice that includes verifiable documentation of 4,000 hours of direct practice experience in hand therapy within five
years of application. The four-hour examination is administered in two, two-day segments.
- Fees: $500 to $700, dependent on whether application is submitted online or by mail
- The program offers:
The Academy of Lymphatic Studies offers courses in lymphedema management according to the rules and regulations set by the
Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). The one-week course provides 135 contact hours.
- Fees: $2,600
- The program offers:
- MLD-CDT (Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy)
- Resource: visit website
The Wound Care Education Institute offers a certification in wound care for health professionals, including PTs and PTAs.
Applicants must provide documentation of involvement in care of patients with wounds, and must be actively licensed for at least two years. The course provides 2.75 contact hours.
- Fees: $2,797
- The program offers:
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) offers a certified strength and conditioning specialist program for health professionals and other individuals interested in improving athletic performance through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and must be CPR and AED certified. The four-hour test is given in two sections.
- Fees: $310 NSCA member/$430 nonmember
- The program offers:
- CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
- Resource: visit website
