There are many exciting specialties available to you as a physical therapist. A specialty certification demonstrates your proficiency in your area of interest while opening up new career opportunities. All specializations require you to be a physical therapist with at least 2,000 clock hours in your area of specialization. Following this, you can apply to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for certification in your specialty area. Here are five popular PT certification choices.
Five Popular Physical Therapy Certifications
Neurology
The clinical specialization in neurologic physical therapy requires knowledge and skills exceeding that of the physical therapist at entry-level. The Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) identifies PTs who have:
- Competed over 2,000 hours of neurologic clinical practice while working with patients with neurologic disorders
- Competency in patient care, patient education, interpretation of research, administration, and consultation
- Complete the Neurologic Clinical Specialist examination
- Acquired certification in neurologic physical therapy by the ABPTS
Pediatrics
The pediatric specialization includes treatment of traumatic, developmental, and systemic disorders that relate specifically to children. The pediatric specialty includes all appropriate evaluative, rehabilitative, and rehabilitative procedures for children. The requirements for becoming a pediatric specialist include:
- An application review fee
- An application for the certification
- Pass the clinical specialty exam
- 2000 hours of patient care in pediatrics within the last 10 years or successful accomplishment of an APTA-accredited pediatrics internship within the past 10 years
Oncology
Oncology specialists study the treatment of several types of cancer and work with patients undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer. PTs help patients recover from chronic pain, weakness, or loss of bone density. Requirements include:
- An application review fee
- An application for the certification
- Pass the clinical specialty exam
- 2000 hours of experience in oncology within the past 10 years or completion of an APTA-accredited oncology residency within the past 10 years
Orthopedics
Orthopedics is the most popular physical therapy specialty. These specialists treat injuries and adverse conditions of the bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments and joints. Requirements include:
- An application review fee
- An application for the certification
- Pass the clinical specialty exam
- 2000 hours of direct patient care in orthopedics within the past 10 years or successful completion of an APTA-accredited orthopedics residency within the past 10 years
Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)
This new specialization involves treating conditions related to nerve and muscle damage caused by compromised skin integrity or wounds. The requirements to become An ECS include:
- Submit a list of relevant learning experiences under the guidance of a certified physical therapist within the past 10 years.
- Submit patient reports completed within the past three years, including documentation of 500 of the most recent complete examinations conducted within the past 10 years
- 2000 hours of direct patient care in electrophysiology within the past 10 years or successful completion of an APTA-accredited clinical residency within the past 10 years
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